PODCAST · technology
AI Risk Reward
by Alec Crawford
I am your host, Alec Crawford, Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. and this is AI Risk-Reward, a podcast about balancing the risk and reward of using AI personally, professionally, and as a large organization!We will discuss hot topics such as, will AI take my job or make it better? When I ask Chat-GPT work questions, is that even safe? From an ethical perspective, is it enough for big companies to anonymize private data before using it? (Probably not.)I am discussing these issues with AI experts to answer burning questions and stay ahead of the curve on AI. I’d also like to give a shoutout to our podcast producer and audio engineering team at Troutman Street Audio. You can check them out on LinkedIn.
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Trust, Verify, Repeat: The Future of AI Governance with David Hardoon
In the AI: Trust but Verify podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Verapath (https://www.verapath.com), interviews guests about how they are using AI in business, where you can trust AI, and where you need to put up guard rails.In this episode of AI: Trust but Verify, Alec Crawford speaks with David Hardoon, former Global Head of AI at Standard Chartered Bank and the first Chief Data Officer of the Monetary Authority of Singapore. With more than two decades of experience spanning AI research, financial services, regulation, and enterprise transformation, David shares practical insights on what it takes to operationalize AI at scale. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping banking, cybersecurity, and regulation, why governance should accelerate rather than hinder innovation, and why organizations must move from static controls to continuous learning and verification as AI capabilities rapidly evolve.TakeawaysGovernance enables innovation. Principle-based, risk-based AI governance creates trust and accelerates adoption rather than slowing it down.Trust AI—but continuously verify it. AI systems should be monitored and validated continuously as models, risks, and business environments change.Banks need a new operating model. The era of "deploy and forget" is over; AI requires continuous adaptation, faster cybersecurity responses, and ongoing process improvement.AI is transforming cybersecurity. Frontier models are dramatically increasing both attackers' capabilities and defenders' tools, making resilience and rapid response more important than ever.The greatest value of AI is augmenting people. Beyond automation, AI empowers individuals and organizations to communicate better, solve harder problems, and unlock entirely new ways of working.ResourcesDavid Hardoon – https://www.davidroyhardoon.com/David Hardoon on LinkedIn – https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhardoon/The AI Failure Handbook: The Ultimate Guide to Screwing Up Your AI Transformation (David Hardoon) – https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+AI+Failure+Handbook+David+HardoonStandard Chartered – https://www.sc.com/Monetary Authority of Singapore (MAS) – FEAT Principles for Fairness, Ethics, Accountability and Transparency in AI – https://www.mas.gov.sg/
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AI Guardrails > AI Models for Regulated Industries
In the AI: Trust but Verify podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Verapath (https://www.verapath.com), interviews guests about how they are using AI in business, where you can trust AI, and where you need to put up guard rails.In this episode of AI: Trust but Verify, Alec Crawford sits down with Omid Pakseresht, CEO of Goodfolio (renamed Sepanta), to discuss what it takes to build trustworthy AI systems in a world where organizations are rapidly adopting AI. The conversation explores why accuracy alone is not enough, the importance of governance and guardrails, and how AI often exposes weaknesses in existing business processes, data quality, and organizational controls.Alec and Omid also discuss AI's growing role in cybersecurity, the challenge of managing model costs, the future of AGI, and whether AI's greatest value will come from efficiency gains or entirely new opportunities for growth. While both acknowledge the risks associated with increasingly powerful AI systems, they remain optimistic that organizations can use AI responsibly if they focus on trust, verification, and human judgment.Top 3 TakeawaysDon't trust AI with high-impact decisions without guardrails. In areas like finance and healthcare, AI should support human decision-making, not replace it.Accuracy is less important than system design. Governance, controls, testing, and verification processes matter more than simply choosing the best model.AI's biggest opportunity may be growth, not cost reduction. The most transformative use cases will likely come from creating new capabilities and business models rather than simply making existing processes more efficient.MentionedGarry KasparovJimmy StewartElon MuskBooksRisk Management in the AI Era (forthcoming) by Alec Crawford
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Dominick Romano: Watch Out for Foreign Influence in Our AI
In the AI: Trust but Verify podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Verapath (www.verapath.com), interviews guests about how they are using AI in business, where you can trust AI, and where you need to put up guard rails. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.AI: Trust but Verify — with Dominick RomanoAbout the GuestDominick “Dom” Romano is the founder and CEO of Drainpipe.io, an AI company focused on making AI systems trustworthy enough for regulated, high-stakes environments. Dom’s background spans video game development, casino gaming, advertising, real-time routing for hazardous payloads, mainframe engineering for IBM z/OS and banking systems, real-time transactions, and observability. Today, Drainpipe.io works with major manufacturers in Germany across pharmaceuticals, automotive, and chemical manufacturing, helping them deploy AI systems where the inputs and outputs must be verifiable—especially when AI touches critical regulatory data such as pharmaceutical dossiers submitted to health authorities.Top 5 TakeawaysAI adoption in regulated industries requires trust, not just capability. Dom emphasizes that when AI touches critical workflows—especially in pharmaceuticals, compliance, or regulatory submissions—organizations need confidence that both the data going in and the AI-generated output are legitimate and trustworthy.AI can scale mistakes, bias, and discrimination. The conversation highlights how AI systems used in decisions such as lending or hiring can create large-scale harm if bias or unlawful discrimination goes undetected—particularly when companies cannot prove the model is not using impermissible factors.Cybersecurity has to come before “cool” AI features. Dom and Alec discuss how rapidly adopted AI tools can create serious security risks when they go viral without proper cybersecurity foundations. The OpenClaw example is used as a warning about software that provides value but fails to account for security from the start.AI is becoming a geopolitical and cultural force. Dom raises concerns about “digital colonialism,” where countries in the Global South may become increasingly shaped by Western AI models that do not represent their own cultures, languages, or values.The near-term AI risks may be more urgent than distant sci-fi scenarios. While existential risk is discussed, Dom argues that immediate threats—deepfakes, multimodal AI on devices, AI in armed conflict, and rapidly expanding cybersecurity vulnerabilities—deserve serious attention right now.People and Organizations MentionedDominick “Dom” Romano — Founder & CEO, Drainpipe.ioWebsite: https://drainpipe.ioLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/domromanoX: https://x.com/dromanocpm Dom specifically points listeners to LinkedIn, X under the handle @drobmanocpm, andAlec Crawford — Founder & CEO, Verapath; host of the conversation linkedin.com/in/aleccrawfordVerapath — Secure AI platform for financial institutions https://verapath.comFull Sail University — Dom’s educational background in video game developmenthttps://www.fullsail.eduIBM z/OS — Mainframe platform referenced in Dom’s backgroundhttps://www.ibm.com/products/zosEU AI Act — European AI regulation discussed in the episode https://artificialintelligenceact.euJP Morgan / JPMorgan Chase — Mentioned in the discussion of AI, attrition, and jobshttps://www.jpmorganchase.comAnthropic — Mentioned in the discussion of AI existential risk https://www.anthropic.comRay Kurzweil — Mentioned as one of the people concerned about AI risk https://www.kurzweilai.netElon Musk — Mentioned in the discussion of AI risk https://x.com/elonmuskMarcus Hutter — AI superintelligence researcher mentioned by Alec https://www.hutter1.netDoraemon — Referenced as an example of Japan’s more positive cultural association with AIhttps://dora-world.comOpenClaw — Referenced as an example of a viral software/AI-adjacent tool with serious cybersecurity concernsMythos — Referenced in the discussion of emerging cybersecurity threats and online infrastructure risk
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The AI Business Revolution Is Just Beginning, with Tim Sears, Ph.D.
In the AI: Trust but Verify podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Verapath (www.verapath.com), interviews guests about how they are using AI in business, where you can trust AI, and where you need to put up guard rails. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.Tim Sears is the Chief AI Officer at HTEC, a deeply technical consulting and engineering company with roughly 3,000 people and about 2,500 engineers, working across sectors with clients that include hyperscalers, large tech companies, and a significant share of the Fortune 100 Tim’s career started on Wall Street in the bond markets, where he and Alec were part of the wave bringing technology into finance; they later lived through the dot-com boom at Morgan Stanley before reconnecting in the AI era Tim also worked at Target with data science and engineering teams on early AI-related work, and before HTEC he led software applications at Groq, where the team built AI accelerator technology for high-speed inference .5 Key TakeawaysAI will be bigger than the internet boom. Alec and Tim compare the current AI wave to the dot-com era around 2000, with Alec noting that AI could be the most dramatic technology shift of the next five years .AI strategy is not just turning on tools. Tim argues that giving everyone AI tools is not a real strategy; the bigger opportunity is using AI as a catalyst for teamwork, better processes, and faster execution with humans still playing a critical role .The hard part is organizational redesign. For CEOs, Tim says AI adoption should start with business goals like revenue growth or cost reduction, but leaders need to understand that AI will force a redesign of the organization, skills, workflows, and leadership approach .AI risk management needs “trust but verify.” The conversation emphasizes moving from low-risk internal uses to higher-risk external applications carefully, with more human oversight as risk increases — especially in sensitive areas like healthcare, customer service, and regulated industries .Ethics has to come from leadership, not just engineers. Tim’s view is that “AI ethics” is really just ethics: company values must show up in business decisions, and engineers can help build what leaders want, but they should not be solely responsible for deciding what ought to be built .LinksHTEC — Tim’s current company: https://htecgroup.comGroq — AI inference accelerator company Tim previously worked at: https://groq.comMorgan Stanley — where Alec and Tim worked during the dot-com era: https://www.morganstanley.comGoldman Sachs — where Alec and Tim first met: https://www.goldmansachs.comTarget — where Tim worked with data science / engineering teams: https://www.target.comNVIDIA — discussed in the context of GPUs and AI compute constraints: https://www.nvidia.comMarcus Hutter — AI / AGI / superintelligence researcher mentioned in the episode: https://www.hutter1.netReid Blackman — mentioned in the discussion of AI ethics: https://www.reidblackman.comLarge Language Models / LLMs — central model architecture discussed: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Large_language_modelWorld Models — mentioned as a possible future AI architecture direction: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/World_modelQuantum Computing — discussed as another major future technology wave: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quantum_computingPost-Quantum Cryptography — related to the “Q-Day” discussion about quantum computers breaking encryption: https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/post-quantum-cryptographyVerapath — platform mentioned in the episode: https://www.verapath.com
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The AI Risk No One Sees Coming — with Kriste Krstovski of Columbia University
In the AI: Trust but Verify podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.Kriste Krstovski is an Associate Research Scientist at Columbia University’s Data Science Institute and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia Business School, where his work focuses on machine learning, natural language processing, and practical AI systems for social good, business, and healthcare. His research spans predictive modeling, decision-making systems, financial analytics, combating misinformation, and healthcare applications, with a particular emphasis on how AI can be designed, evaluated, and deployed in ways that are useful, reliable, and socially beneficial. (datascience.columbia.edu)In this episode of AI: Trust but Verify, Kriste explains the difference between AI that is merely impressive and AI that is genuinely trustworthy. Impressive AI creates “wow” moments, but trustworthy AI is optimized for reliability in real-world conditions. The conversation frames AI risk as a systems problem, not just a model problem: outcomes depend on the data, deployment context, user interface, objectives, oversight, and safeguards around the system.A major theme is the ethical risk of using AI to make high-stakes judgments about people based on incomplete or proxy data. Kriste warns that AI systems can make wrong inferences about individuals, reinforce bias across populations, and create decisions that people may not understand or be able to challenge. He also discusses misinformation and virality, noting that systems optimized for engagement can amplify what spreads rather than what is true.The episode also explores how AI is changing software development and the future of work. Kriste is especially concerned that students and new employees may become good at generating code with AI but weaker at debugging, testing, and reasoning through failures. The central takeaway is that as AI becomes more capable, human expertise must shift toward verification, evaluation, and governance. Kriste’s final warning is less about one dramatic AI failure and more about gradual erosion: society may normalize manipulation, dependency, and diminished judgment unless governments and institutions become more proactive rather than reactive.Kriste can be reached at [email protected], and his Columbia homepage is available here: https://www.columbia.edu/~kk3161/. His book discussed in the episode is Practical AI for Business, described as a practitioner-friendly guide to machine learning and NLP concepts, with plain-language explanations and hands-on examples; it is forthcoming from Columbia University Press.
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Elie Bursztein of Google DeepMind on Mythos and the Cybersecurity Wake-Up Call for Financial Services
In the AI: Trust but Verify podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec speaks with Elie Bursztein, researcher at Google DeepMind, about why Anthropic’s upcoming Mythos model has become a major wake-up call for cybersecurity and critical infrastructure. Elie explains that AI-driven vulnerability discovery appears to be materially improving, which means the biggest near-term challenge is not just finding flaws but triaging, patching, and operationalizing defenses quickly enough. He outlines what bank and financial-services leaders should be asking their CTOs and CISOs now, including whether their organizations can absorb a wave of patches, prioritize exploitable vulnerabilities, and stress-test their most important systems. The conversation also explores how AI is reshaping penetration testing, bug bounties, SaaS versus in-house software decisions, and the broader systemic risk posed by shared providers and crypto-related systems. Alec and Elie close on a more optimistic note, discussing how increasingly reliable agents can remove drudge work, improve financial education, and raise the baseline of practical expertise for more people.Summary:Mythos Wake-Up Call: Elie argues that new AI models are meaningfully improving vulnerability discovery and raising the urgency of cyber preparedness.Patching Readiness: Organizations need to test whether they can handle sustained bursts of patches across both vendor software and internal code.Smarter Triage: AI-assisted reproduction and exploit testing can help security teams focus first on the vulnerabilities most likely to cause real harm.Systemic Financial Risk: Banks must map dependencies on core providers, segregate critical systems, and plan for degraded or offline operations.AI’s Practical Upside: More reliable agents can automate repetitive work and help broaden access to useful financial and technical guidance.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:Google DeepMindAnthropicFirefoxFDICU.S. TreasuryVerapathSWIFTOpenAIGoogleFiservJack HenryCOCCAmadeusCapital OneNiceHashCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Cole Wyeth, PhD Student at the University of Waterloo, on Why We Should Wait to Build Superintelligent AI
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this deep dive episode, Alec speaks with Cole Wyeth, PhD student at the University of Waterloo focused on AI safety and agent foundations, about why the long-term risk of superintelligent AI deserves far more attention today. Cole explains that aligning advanced systems with human values is extraordinarily difficult because ethics and preferences are hard to specify, and he argues that corrigibility, ambiguity awareness, and deference to humans are essential design goals. He also discusses how ideas like imprecise probability, embedded agency, and multi-agent dynamics can help researchers think more clearly about failure modes, reward hacking, and unexpected cooperation between AI systems. Throughout the conversation, Cole compares controlling superintelligence to cybersecurity, warning that a system smarter than its designers may find weaknesses in any safety scheme that looks secure on paper. The episode closes on a cautious note: until we understand how to reliably control self-improving AI, Cole believes society should slow down and wait years, or even decades, before creating superintelligent systems.Summary:Long-Term AI Risk: Cole Wyeth argues that superintelligent AI could become uncontrollable if developed before robust safety methods are in place.Alignment Challenges: He explains that human ethics and values are too complex to formalize cleanly, making alignment an unusually hard technical problem.Ambiguity and Deference: The discussion highlights the importance of building systems that recognize uncertainty and defer to humans in high-stakes situations.Multi-Agent Failure Modes: Cole explores how AI systems may cooperate or behave strategically in unexpected ways, creating new safety and governance concerns.Pause for Caution: His central takeaway is that society should delay building superintelligence until researchers better understand how to control it safely.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations: University of WaterlooVerapathAnthropicOpenAIDeepMindGoogleARCMETRTroutman Street AudioWaters TechnologyCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Jack Hubbard on AI in Banking, Staying Safe With AI, and Building a Career Through Diverse Roles
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec speaks with Jack Hubbard, Chairman of St. Meyer and Hubbard, about his accidental path from aspiring sports broadcaster to longtime banker, consultant, and board member. Jack explains why community banks can no longer afford to delay AI adoption, noting that bankers are already using these tools and need secure, institution-approved options instead of ungoverned workarounds. He shares how AI can transform sales preparation and pre-call planning, while emphasizing that CEOs must learn the technology themselves if they want their organizations to use it effectively. The conversation also focuses on ethical AI use, including the need for clear policies, human oversight, role-specific training, and leadership accountability across the bank. Jack closes with practical career advice for younger bankers, encouraging them to find mentors, gain broad experience, attend banking schools, and commit to lifelong learning.Summary:Accidental Career Journey: Jack Hubbard reflects on the unexpected experiences that led him from college radio into a 53-year career in banking and consulting.AI in Community Banking: He argues that community banks must stop waiting on AI and instead provide safe, practical tools for bankers already experimenting with it.Leadership Responsibility: CEOs and senior leaders need hands-on AI understanding so they can fund, guide, and model adoption from the top.Ethics and Governance: Clear policies, human review, and strong training are essential to reduce data risks, compliance issues, and AI misuse.Banker Development: Jack encourages future bankers to seek mentors, pursue rotations, attend banking schools, and stay committed to reading and continuous learning.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations: St. Meyer and HubbardVerapathNorthern Illinois UniversityUnion Bank of ElginFTRHarris BankBMO HarrisSt. Charles Bank and TrustWintrustDynex CapitalCornerstone AdvisorsPerformance InsightsRelProVertical IQLinkedInBlockPeapack Gladstone BankCapital OneFleetAmerican Bankers AssociationWharton SchoolUniversity of WisconsinLSU School of BankingMassachusetts BankersPerry School of BankingMichigan Bankers AssociationSelling PowerBarlow ResearchChicago CubsBooks: Heart SpokenConversations with ProspectsI Know Jack 53 Years of Banking ExcellenceMovies: Animal HouseCaddyshackCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Matthew Rosenquist on AI, Cyber Risk, and the Future of Defense
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this deep dive episode, Alec speaks with Matthew Rosenquist, cybersecurity strategist and CISO, about how AI is rapidly reshaping both cyber defense and cyber offense. Matthew explains how new AI models are dramatically accelerating vulnerability discovery and exploit creation, putting pressure on traditional patching, risk management, and incident response processes. He also shares practical guidance for consumers and businesses on defending against AI-powered phishing, deepfakes, account compromise, and unsafe use of public AI tools. The conversation highlights why strong fundamentals like multi-factor authentication, least-privilege access, segmented data practices, and careful verification matter more than ever in an AI-driven threat landscape. Alec and Matthew close by exploring the emerging risks of agentic AI and MCP-connected systems, emphasizing that companies must adopt AI security controls with urgency, discipline, and realistic expectations.Summary:AI-Driven Vulnerabilities: Matthew discusses how advanced AI models can find and exploit software flaws far faster than traditional security processes can handle.Consumer Cyber Hygiene: The episode stresses multi-factor authentication, account alerts, password discipline, and skepticism toward emails, texts, calls, and social media interactions.Deepfakes and Social Engineering: AI is making scams more personalized, scalable, and convincing, which means users must verify before trusting.Enterprise AI Risk: Companies need to be cautious with sensitive data in public AI tools and apply strong governance to internal AI deployments.Agentic AI Security: Granting broad permissions to AI agents creates major new attack surfaces, making least-privilege design and access controls essential.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations: VerapathAnthropicGoogleWestern UnionSalesforceCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Antony Baker, CEO and Founder of FIFTEEN Group, on Using AI to Identify the Right People for Your Company
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec speaks with Antony Baker, CEO and Founder of FIFTEEN Group, about his unconventional path from championship sports to consulting and building AI-enabled business services. Antony explains how FIFTEEN Group was created to challenge traditional consulting models by combining talent assessment, process improvement, and practical AI adoption for mid-market companies. He emphasizes that successful AI implementation depends less on hype and more on human intelligence, training, change management, and starting with simple, high-friction business tasks that employees already dislike. The conversation also explores risks around governance, model changes, and the uncertainty created when organizations rely on rapidly evolving AI tools without strong controls. Alec and Antony close with a discussion on leadership, instinct, culture, and why hard work, talent, and adaptability remain essential even as AI becomes more embedded in business.Summary:Talent First: Antony Baker argues that strong people, work ethic, and the right cultural fit are the foundation for successful AI adoption.Practical AI Adoption: Companies get better results when they begin with simple use cases like meeting notes, email workflows, and reporting automation.Human and Artificial Intelligence: The episode highlights that AI performs best when paired with trained employees who know how to guide and educate the system.Governance Risk: Rapid model changes and limited user control can create serious challenges, especially for regulated industries and large enterprises.Entrepreneurial Mindset: Antony shares that resilience, learning through failure, and trusting instinct are critical to building durable businesses in fast-moving markets.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations: FIFTEEN GroupArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.NomuraSVBPwCEYBarclaysBusiness AI AllianceNatWest MarketsMicrosoftOpenAIClaudeChatGPTGrokMetaUFCBooks: PrinciplesMovies: The MatrixTV Shows: The Ultimate FighterCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Aleks Jakulin of Data.Flowers on Governing AI Through Accountability and Resilience, Not Output Control
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec speaks with Aleks Jakulin, Founder and President of Data.Flowers, about why current AI governance approaches often focus too heavily on policing model outputs instead of building accountability around real-world actions and system resilience. Aleks argues that AI should be governed more like fire or other critical infrastructure, with strong safeguards, reporting mechanisms, and downstream institutional redesign rather than unrealistic attempts to fully control the technology itself. He also reflects on his early work in deep learning and computational conceptualization, explaining how machines can discover new concepts through interactions in data and why better data infrastructure will be essential for reliable AI systems. The conversation explores how AI is already breaking workflows in hiring, finance, education, and cybersecurity, and why organizations should prioritize resilience, accountability loops, and high-quality input data over superficial ethics frameworks. Alec and Aleks close by discussing the decentralized promise of open models, the need for incident reporting similar to aviation safety, and the long-term potential for AI to improve human flourishing through better communication, faster learning, and broader intelligence augmentation.Summary:AI Governance: Aleks argues that AI oversight should focus on accountability, resilience, and managing real-world consequences rather than policing every generated output.Data Infrastructure: High-quality, controllable data infrastructure is presented as the missing foundation for safer and more reliable AI adoption.System Resilience: Organizations need to redesign vulnerable processes in hiring, finance, education, and operations so they can withstand widespread AI use.Open Models: Aleks suggests AI is ultimately a decentralizing force, with open and local models expanding access and reducing dependence on centralized providers.Human Flourishing: The episode highlights AI’s potential to accelerate learning, improve visual communication, and support a more capable and intelligent society.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:Data.FlowersArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.ColumbiaNvidiaNISTOpenAIMicrosoftOECDMITFAANTSBNASAIRSGoogleCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Is AI Making Us Stupid? Michael Erlihson, PhD, Head of AI at DriveNet
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes Dr. Michael Erlihson, Math PhD, AI influencer, and Head of AI at DriveNets, for an insightful conversation on the evolving risks and opportunities in artificial intelligence. Dr. Erlihson shares his journey from a science-focused family in Russia to leading AI initiatives in Israel, emphasizing the foundational role of mathematics in modern AI. The discussion explores the theme "AI is making us stupid," drawing parallels to historical debates about technology’s impact on cognition, and offering strategies to ensure ongoing learning and critical thinking in an AI-driven world. Dr. Erlihson discusses his approach to reviewing scientific literature without AI tools, the importance of connecting historical math papers to today’s AI, and his work optimizing LLM inference costs. The episode closes with a practical lightning round covering AI’s impact on education, employment, data privacy, and the democratization of AI knowledge.Summary:AI’s Cognitive Impact: Dr. Erlihson argues that while AI will make most people less knowledgeable, it can make a select few even smarter if used to augment ongoing learning.Mathematics in AI: Emphasizes the enduring importance of math in AI development, connecting historical mathematical insights to contemporary machine learning advances.Optimizing AI Infrastructure: Details DriveNet’s focus on reducing LLM inference costs to ensure the economic sustainability of AI deployment.Education & Employment: Raises critical concerns about the future of traditional education and white-collar employment as AI accelerates automation and self-learning.Data Privacy Risks: Highlights the underestimated risks of personalizing AI with private data and advocates for stronger safeguards and user control.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:DriveNetsArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.RCOMNVIDIAAMDGoogleAWSIntelDarwinAIApplePodcasts: Data Science DecodedExplAInableMovies:Snow White and the Seven DwarfsTerminatorCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Deep Dive: Trust, Quantum Computing, and the Future of AI Risk with Peter Mancini, Founder of A8A8
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec sits down with Peter Mancini, founder of A8A8, and a seasoned data science expert who has leveraged AI since 2005. Peter shares his unconventional entry into artificial intelligence and reflects on key lessons learned from years of deploying AI and quantum computing in high-stakes environments, including work for the US Army and financial institutions. The conversation explores the critical importance of trust, metacognition, and continuous risk assessment throughout the AI lifecycle, with practical anecdotes ranging from model uncertainty in banking to emergent cybersecurity vulnerabilities. Peter discusses the profound implications of AI’s collaborative nature, the ethical dilemmas posed by AI-generated content, and the evolving intersection of AI, quantum computing, and blockchain. The episode concludes with concrete recommendations for transparency, explainability, and incident response, emphasizing the need for vigilance against both known and unforeseen risks, including elusive black swan events.Summary:Trust and Verification: Peter emphasizes that over-trusting AI models without robust verification is a primary and often overlooked risk.Metacognition in Risk Management: He advocates for ongoing critical thinking, group validation, and policy over rigid frameworks to manage AI risks.AI-Driven Cybersecurity Threats: Real-world examples illustrate how AI can inadvertently expose sensitive associations and aid adversaries, highlighting the need for advanced guardrails.Quantum Computing Integration: Peter discusses how quantum computing accelerates probabilistic analysis but may also expose encryption vulnerabilities and new risk vectors.Ethical and Societal Impacts: The episode covers manipulation risks, deepfake challenges, and the essential role of transparency and explainability for both users and developers.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:A8A8Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.US ArmyFidelity InvestmentsRocket MortgageOpenAIGoogleMetaMicrosoftMovies:Blade RunnerCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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What’s Working in AI Use Cases Now: Lucas Erb, LinkedIn Top Voice & AIexperts.com Founder
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes Lucas Erb, Founder of AIexperts.com and seasoned advisor on AI strategy, who shares his journey from early computer science interests to consulting at Deloitte, and ultimately founding his own firm. Lucas discusses the evolution of AI adoption, emphasizing the critical gap in mid-market business AI enablement and describing how his company demystifies automation and agent-based solutions for this segment. Key practical examples are explored, focusing on AI’s real-world impact—particularly in sales automation and productivity—rather than generic tool adoption. The conversation also dives deep into the ethical and social challenges of AI, highlighting the ongoing risks of bias and the necessity for thoughtful, transparent implementation. Alec and Lucas conclude with insights into future workforce implications, AI for good initiatives, and advice for young professionals navigating the rapidly changing technology landscape.Summary:AI Journey: Lucas Erb recounts his path from early technical curiosity to founding AIexperts.com, highlighting his time at HP and Deloitte. Mid-Market Enablement: He identifies a critical gap in AI adoption for midsize businesses and shares how his firm provides practical, ROI-driven automation. Ethical Challenges: The episode addresses pressing issues around model bias, data selection, and the importance of ongoing evaluation to ensure fairness. Future of Work: Discussion centers on the shifting landscape for new graduates and the need for leaders to shape a responsible AI-driven workforce. AI for Good: Lucas underscores the importance of broad participation in AI ethics and safety, stressing that collective action is necessary to keep pace with innovation.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:AIexperts.comArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.DeloitteHP AnthropicAccentureMcKinseyHarvard University (AI for Human Flourishing Program)NASDAQMITGlobal AI Ethics InstituteXerox PARCAppleMovies:InceptionJurassic ParkCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Deep Dive: AI Policy and Risk Governance with Asad Ramzanali, Director of AI and Tech Policy
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this deep dive episode, Alec welcomes Asad Ramzanali, Director of AI and Tech Policy at the Vanderbilt Policy Accelerator, for a comprehensive discussion on the current landscape of AI policy and risk governance. Asad explains how AI’s broad and general-purpose nature requires sector-specific regulatory strategies, emphasizing that existing frameworks must adapt to both new and exacerbated risks. The conversation covers the challenges of benchmarking and evaluating large models, the balance between federal and state governance, and the ongoing debate over regulation versus innovation. Asad highlights the importance of direct regulatory interventions, robust enforcement mechanisms, and maintaining public trust, particularly as AI adoption accelerates across public and private sectors. The episode closes with reflections on economic disruption, business model risks, and future research priorities in AI policy.Summary:Defining AI Risk: Asad stresses the need for adaptable, use-case-driven frameworks due to AI’s general-purpose scope.Sectoral Regulation: Different regulators must address AI risks where they specifically arise, especially in finance, health, and national security.Benchmarking Challenges: Evaluating AI models requires independent, evolving methodologies, not just self-reported metrics from companies.Regulation vs. Innovation: The current regulatory environment is far from overreaching, and well-crafted policies can actually foster safer innovation.Accountability and Public Trust: Clear liability, enforcement, and transparency are critical for democratic legitimacy and effective AI risk management.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:Vanderbilt Policy AcceleratorArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Vanderbilt UniversityFDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)FCC (Federal Communications Commission)NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology)OpenAIAnthropicGoogleNOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration)Hamilton Project (Brookings Institution)Global AI Ethics InstituteMovies:TerminatorCopyright © 2026 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Rethinking Risk: Agentic AI, Ethical Insurance, and Tanner Hackett’s Journey with Counterpart
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes Tanner Hackett, CEO and founder of Counterpart, to discuss how AI and agentic technology are transforming the insurance industry. Tanner shares his unique entrepreneurial background, highlighting how data-driven decision-making has been the common thread across his ventures in e-commerce, marketing technology, and now, insurance. He explains how Counterpart leverages agentic AI to streamline underwriting, enhance transparency, and proactively manage risk for commercial clients, while emphasizing the importance of human expertise in high-stakes decisions. The conversation also touches on the ethical and regulatory challenges of integrating AI into insurance, including the need for change management within legacy organizations. Tanner offers candid advice to startup founders and recommends resources for keeping pace with AI innovation, before closing with a spirited lightning round on topics ranging from startup fundraising events to Lord of the Rings.Summary:Entrepreneurial Journey: Tanner Hackett traces his path from e-commerce to founding Counterpart, focusing on the power of data in reshaping industries.Agentic AI in Insurance: Counterpart uses agentic AI to automate and improve insurance workflows, while maintaining a critical human-in-the-loop for complex risk assessment.Ethics and Regulation: The episode explores the ethical complexities and regulatory lag in insurance AI, with commercial lines facing fewer immediate ethical dilemmas than personal lines.Industry Transformation: Tanner highlights the slow but inevitable modernization of insurance, predicting both efficiency gains and significant workforce changes as AI adoption grows.Startup Insights: Practical advice is given for founders on capital raising, rapid iteration, and the importance of sales and human psychology in entrepreneurial success.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:CounterpartArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Troutman Street AudioLazadaButtonOpenAIChubbEdmund Hillary Fellows (EHF)MITMovies:Minority ReportLord of the Rings Copyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Deep Dive: Trustworthy, Multimodal, and Personalized AI Safety with Dr. Jindong Wang, Assistant Professor at William & Mary
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this deep dive episode, Alec sits down with Dr. Jindong Wang, Assistant Professor at William & Mary’s Data Science Department and former Microsoft researcher, to explore the nuanced landscape of trustworthy AI, multimodal safety, and personalized AI safety. Dr. Wang details his definition of trustworthy AI, focusing on privacy, robustness, transparency, and user-centric design, and explains why these are foundational for societal trust. The discussion delves into technical strategies such as differential privacy and federated learning, as well as the complex safety challenges arising from multimodal and multi-agent AI systems. Dr. Wang shares insights on emerging research, including benchmarks for risk management, adaptive and context-aware models, and the need for regulatory and ethical advances to keep pace with technological change. The episode concludes with an examination of the future risks of AI, the importance of AI literacy, and broad recommendations for education and governance as AI becomes more deeply woven into the fabric of society.Summary:Trustworthy AI Principles: Dr. Wang articulates the critical elements of trustworthy AI, emphasizing privacy, interpretability, and ethical safeguards.Technical and Regulatory Strategies: The conversation covers advanced privacy-preserving techniques and the evolving regulatory frameworks needed for effective AI risk management.Multimodal and Multi-Agent Safety: Unique risks in systems combining text, image, audio, and agentic collaboration are discussed, alongside the need for improved benchmarks and alignment.Emergent Behaviors and Human Oversight: Dr. Wang highlights frameworks for detecting and correcting emergent behaviors, and underscores the ongoing necessity of human-in-the-loop governance and AI literacy.Future Risks and Education: The episode closes with reflections on cultural bias, open-source risks, and the urgent need for scalable, personalized AI education.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:William & MaryArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.MicrosoftOpenAIGoogleNvidiaCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Inside Future Proof—Reinventing Wealth Management and AI with Matt Middleton
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes Matt Middleton, Founder and CEO of Future Proof, to discuss the intersection of AI, wealth management, and events. Matt shares insights on how Future Proof is reshaping industry conferences by integrating technology and fostering real-world connections, emphasizing their upcoming Miami Beach event as a hub for AI-first wealth professionals. He reflects on his unconventional career path, the importance of mentorship, and the evolution of community-building within finance and technology. The conversation covers ethical considerations of AI, regulatory changes, and the rapid transformation of financial advice and compliance, highlighting the need for secure, enterprise-grade AI platforms. Matt also offers practical advice for young professionals, encouraging them to become AI experts to capitalize on emerging opportunities in wealth management.Summary:Future Proof Events: Matt Middleton explains how Future Proof transforms wealth management conferences with technology and outdoor formats.AI in Finance: The discussion explores practical applications and ethical considerations of AI in wealth management and event operations.Regulatory Changes: Recent SEC guidance on AI and privacy is addressed, highlighting compliance challenges for financial advisors.Industry Consolidation: Medium-sized firms are likely to benefit most from AI adoption, while smaller firms risk falling behind.Career Advice: Young professionals are encouraged to specialize in AI to become indispensable in a rapidly evolving industry.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:Future ProofArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.ETF.comInformaBitwise Asset ManagementMoney2020Ritholtz Wealth ManagementSECMovies: GladiatorCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Deep Dive into AI Governance, Risk Management, and Finance Innovation with Professor Agostino Capponi
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec sits down with Professor Agostino Capponi, Director of the Center for Digital Finance and Technologies at Columbia University, to explore the frontiers of AI governance, risk management, and explainability in finance. Professor Capponi outlines the Center’s mission to bridge research, education, and industry in digital finance, including AI, blockchain, and digital payments. The discussion covers emerging frameworks for AI-driven portfolio optimization, model risk, and the importance of transparency and explainability in agentic AI systems. They also address practical challenges like data privacy, regulatory compliance, cybersecurity, fairness, and the implications of delegating decision-making to AI agents within financial institutions. The episode concludes with insights on model concentration risk, convergence between AI and blockchain, and the evolving role of boards in AI governance.Summary:AI in Finance: Professor Capponi discusses how AI is reshaping portfolio management, risk assessment, and the integration of digital finance technologies. Explainability & Agentic AI: The conversation highlights agent-based frameworks that deliver transparency and rationales for AI-driven decisions in finance and prediction markets. Data Privacy & Governance: The episode examines the challenges of data lineage, privacy-preserving techniques, and regulatory implications for financial institutions using AI. Cybersecurity & Model Validation: Capponi offers perspectives on operational risk, preventing systemic threats, and the need for robust validation and benchmarking of non-deterministic AI models. Fairness, Regulation & Blockchain: The dialogue explores frameworks for fairness in AI outcomes, the regulatory focus on models versus use cases, and the convergence of AI with blockchain-based payments and governance.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:Columbia UniversityArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Center for Digital Finance and TechnologiesPolymarketS&P 500BloombergThomson ReutersAmazonGoogleWalmartCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Stablecoins, AI Agents, and FinTech Innovation: A Conversation with Nik Milanović
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes Nik Milanović, founder of This Week in FinTech, Stablecon, and General Partner at the FinTech Fund, for a candid conversation on the intersections of AI, fintech, and crypto. Nik shares his journey from aspiring lawyer and Stanford philosophy major to fintech leader, highlighting pivotal experiences at Google Pay and the value of community-driven insight in fast-moving industries. The discussion covers the rise of stablecoins, the importance of machine-readable payments for AI agents, and the ethical implications of rapid technological advancement. Nik emphasizes thoughtful adoption, regulatory caution, and the need to support those economically displaced by automation. The episode concludes with actionable advice for founders, investing insights, and a lighthearted lightning round on everything from Brooklyn tattoos to the impact of fintech newsletters.Summary:Career Evolution: Nik describes his path from law and philosophy into fintech, driven by the potential to create impactful technology outside politics.Stablecoins & FinTech: The conversation explores Stablecon’s mission and the growing relevance of stablecoins for financial services and mainstream adoption.AI & Payments Convergence: Nik highlights how programmable, machine-readable payments will be essential for future AI agents, offering new possibilities but requiring careful governance.Ethical & Regulatory Considerations: The importance of measured regulation and addressing economic displacement is discussed, with parallels drawn to previous tech disruptions.Founder & Investor Insights: Nik shares advice for early-stage founders, focusing on solving specific customer problems and the evolving role of community in fintech innovation.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.This Week in FintechStableconThe Fintech FundGooglePetalCitiCoastal Community BankCirclePaxosRippleZerohashBooks: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklMovies: The Social NetworkCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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AI Governance Deep Dive with Michael Hind, Distinguished Research Staff Member at IBM
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes back Michael Hind, Distinguished Research Staff Member at IBM. This episode is a special deep dive focused exclusively on the evolving field of AI governance. Michael defines AI governance from both enterprise and societal perspectives, highlighting the challenges of managing risk in rapidly evolving AI systems. He shares insights from his recent research, including the development of the AI Risk Atlas and model risk evaluation tools, and discusses the complexities of testing AI models and the importance of accurate benchmarking. The conversation covers the state of regulation, the intersection of insurance and AI risk, the role of transparency and explainability, and emerging technical solutions like entity tagging in LLMs. Alec and Michael conclude by emphasizing the need for industry-driven governance and enhanced transparency through tools such as Granite Guardian and Benchmark Cards.Summary:Defining AI Governance: Michael Hind explains the dual perspectives of AI governance—enterprise risk management and societal impact—and discusses the need for clear taxonomies.Taxonomies and Risk Evaluation: IBM’s AI Risk Atlas and model risk evaluation tools help organizations identify, test, and monitor relevant AI risks for specific use cases.Regulation and Industry Responsibility: With global regulation slowing, Michael argues for proactive enterprise governance, transparency, and industry benchmarks to fill the gap.Testing, Explainability, and Transparency: The episode explores the limits of model evaluation, the challenge of explainability, and the need for public transparency, including the Stanford Transparency Index.Insurance and Technical Advances: The dialogue addresses how insurance may eventually adapt to AI risk, and highlights new approaches like entity tagging and fault-tolerant generative computing.Companies/Organizations:IBMArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.NISTMITStanford UniversityNotre DameDrainpipe IOOpenAIGoogleCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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From Banker to Digital Innovator: Eric Cook, Founder and CEO of Cook Technology Solutions and Chief Mentor at The LinkedBanker, on Harnessing AI for the Future of Community Banks
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec sits down with Eric Cook, founder and CEO of Cook Technology Solutions, part of WSI since 2007 and founder and chief mentor at The LinkedBanker, to discuss digital transformation and AI adoption in the banking sector. Eric shares his personal journey from being an “accidental banker” to a leader in digital innovation for community banks, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and leveraging technology for strategic advantage. The conversation covers the evolving role of AI in banking, including practical use cases, the need for robust training, and the critical importance of human oversight in AI-driven decisions. Eric offers insights into helping banks overcome fear and resistance to AI by focusing on business objectives and aligning technology with organizational strategy. The episode concludes with a lightning round, highlighting Eric’s perspectives on industry trends, technology, and personal passions.Summary:Digital Transformation in Banking: Eric Cook shares his transition from traditional banking to digital consulting, underscoring the need for banks to embrace strategic online presence and personal branding.AI Adoption & Training: The discussion highlights the gap between AI usage and formal training in banks, stressing the importance of education, policies, and software guardrails.Risk Management & Ethics: Eric advocates for a “human in the loop” approach, ensuring all AI outputs are critically reviewed for compliance, security, and fairness.Future-Proofing with AI: Banks are encouraged to adopt diverse AI tools and workflows, moving beyond single-platform reliance to maximize innovation and efficiency.Practical Assessment: Eric outlines his company’s approach to AI assessments, focusing on business goals and overcoming the “failure of imagination” in AI strategy development.Companies/Organizations: Cook Technology SolutionsWSIThe LinkedBankerArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.International Franchise AssociationMichigan Bankers AssociationMarketing AI InstituteJP MorganBooks: Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank by Allison Netzer and Liz HighMovies: Blade RunnerCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Future of Digital Labor: How AI-Driven Automation Is Set to Disrupt the Global Labor Market with Jesse Anglen, CEO of Ruh.ai
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec sits down with Jesse Anglen, CEO of Ruh.ai, to discuss the rapid transformation of digital labor through AI agents and the profound impact on the modern workforce. Jesse shares his unique journey from the construction industry to leading AI companies, emphasizing how curiosity and self-driven learning fueled his success. The conversation delves into the rise of AI-powered automation, the potential for unprecedented labor disruption, and the ethical responsibilities business leaders face in this new era. Jesse also highlights practical advice for young professionals, stressing the importance of developing empathy, adaptability, and AI management skills as traditional roles evolve. The episode rounds out with a lively lightning round, touching on startup culture, open source innovation, and the ongoing need for lifelong learning in a fast-changing landscape.Summary:Career Evolution: Jesse Anglen’s path from construction to AI leadership showcases the value of adaptability and self-education in tech.AI-Powered Automation: The discussion highlights how Ruh.ai and similar platforms are transforming businesses by deploying digital labor agents.Ethical Concerns: Jesse addresses the risk of massive unemployment and urges proactive ethical considerations as AI adoption accelerates.Future-Proof Skills: Empathy, project management, and AI literacy are key competencies for thriving in an AI-driven economy.Continuous Learning: Lifelong learning and engagement with open source AI communities are essential for staying relevant and competitive.Companies/Organizations:Ruh.aiRapid InnovationArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.OpenAIAnthropicEthereumBooks: The E-Myth by Michael E. GerberPrinciples by Ray DalioMovies: The MatrixBack to the FutureCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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How Do You Manage the Risk of Getting Run Over by Technology Change? Insights from Becky Reed, COO of BankSocial and Co-Founder & Board Chair of Pure IT
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec Crawford sits down with Becky Reed, Chief Operating Officer of BankSocial and co-founder and board chair of Pure IT Credit Union Service Organization, to explore the intersection of innovation, technology, and risk in the credit union sector. Becky shares her career journey from operations to CEO, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies such as cloud computing, blockchain, and stablecoins. She discusses how credit unions can leverage these advancements to remain relevant, warning of the significant risks of not adapting, including potential revenue loss and deposit outflows. The conversation covers best practices in consumer protection, regulatory compliance, and the convergence of AI and blockchain in finance. Becky also offers thoughtful advice for students entering the workforce and provides candid perspectives in a fun lightning round segment.Summary:Career Innovation: Becky Reed’s journey highlights the shift from traditional operations to technology-driven leadership in credit unions.Blockchain & Stablecoins: The episode details how decentralized finance and stablecoins can disrupt traditional banking models and why credit unions must adapt.Risk of Inaction: Becky stresses that the greatest risk is for credit unions to remain passive, risking lost revenue and deposits as technology evolves rapidly.Regulatory Compliance: She advocates for applying existing consumer protection and privacy regulations to new technologies, ensuring ethical and secure adoption.Humanities in the AI Era: For students and professionals, Becky advises focusing on human-centric skills that AI cannot replicate, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning.Companies/Organizations:BankSocialPure IT Credit Union Service OrganizationArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Lone Star Credit UnionArlington Federal Credit UnionCircleKatena LabsOpenAIAmazon (AWS)RobinhoodCoinbaseBooks: Credit Unions and DeFi, a Financial Renaissance by Becky ReedMovies: BarbieCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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AI and Drug Discovery: Javier Tordable, CEO and Founder of Pauling.AI
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec speaks with Javier Tordable, CEO and Founder of Pauling.AI, about the transformative potential of AI in drug discovery. Javier shares his journey from mathematics and technology roles at Microsoft and Google to launching Pauling.AI, highlighting the importance of innovation and mentorship in shaping his career. He explains how Pauling.AI aims to automate the process of moving from scientific hypothesis to molecule testing, thereby accelerating and reducing the cost of bringing new medicines to market. The discussion covers the ethical considerations of AI in life sciences, the realistic risks of misuse, and the challenges posed by today’s advanced content generation capabilities. Javier also provides practical advice for pharma CEOs considering AI adoption and reflects on the evolving role of regulators in healthcare and technology.Summary:AI for Drug Discovery: Javier Tordable outlines how Pauling.AI leverages automation and language models to speed up the process of identifying and testing new therapeutics.Career and Mentorship: Javier’s background in mathematics, technology, and leadership at Google informs his approach to building impactful AI solutions in life sciences.Ethical Considerations: The episode addresses the dual-use nature of AI in science, noting both its potential for positive impact and the manageable risks of misuse.Industry Disruption: Javier advises traditional pharma leaders to partner with AI experts rather than attempt to independently build state-of-the-art capabilities.Regulatory Perspective: The conversation highlights the complexity regulators face and suggests global best practices, particularly with reference to the U.S. FDA and China’s accelerated clinical trial environment.Companies/Organizations:Pauling.AIArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.GoogleMicrosoftNintendoMeditechSchrodingerFuture HouseEdison ScientificOpenAIFDANetflixWarner BrothersAmazonAppleBooks:Isaac Asimov’s Foundation seriesMovies:The Matrix ReloadedTV Shows: FoundationCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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The AI Human Paradox with Bruce Randall, Enterprise and Startup Sales Growth Strategist, Reiki Master, and Meditation Practitioner
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec Crawford welcomes Bruce Randall, an enterprise and startup sales growth strategist specializing in AI, cloud, and cybersecurity, and the author of the upcoming book, The AI Human Paradox. Bruce shares insights from his diverse career journey, starting as an entrepreneur during college and progressing through pivotal roles in software and AI sales. He discusses the intersection of AI and quantum technologies, highlighting both the transformative potential and the associated risks, particularly around ethics and the speed of innovation. Bruce also emphasizes the irreplaceable qualities of human intuition and consciousness, drawing from his experiences as a Reiki master and meditation practitioner. The conversation rounds out with practical advice for students entering the workforce, focusing on the importance of technical fluency, sales creativity, and maintaining a human-centric approach in an AI-driven world.Summary:Career Journey: Bruce Randall reflects on his progression from student entrepreneur to AI-focused sales strategist.Human and AI Boundaries: The discussion explores AI’s potential, the uniqueness of human consciousness, and the ethical dilemmas at the frontier of technology.Quantum and AI Synergy: Bruce expresses both excitement and caution about the convergence of AI and quantum computing, noting the vast unknowns and risks.Sales and Human Skills: He underscores the ongoing value of sales roles, creativity, and technical fluency, especially for students navigating an AI-impacted job market.Ethics and Governance: The episode addresses the importance of ethical guardrails, international competition, and the need for AI regulation to ensure technology serves humanity.Companies/Organizations:Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Johnson and Wales UniversityMITThe Global Ethical AI InstituteLinkedInBooks:The AI Human Paradox by Bruce RandallSpin SellingMovies:RobocopSchindler's ListJurassic ParkCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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How to Choose the Right AI Tools for Your Business: Insights from RaiseAI’s CEO William Hollis
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes William Hollis, Founder and CEO of RaiseAI, to discuss the intersection of artificial intelligence and real estate investing. William shares his journey from young computer enthusiast to self-taught software engineer and entrepreneur, highlighting how his technical background informed his approach to capital raising in commercial real estate. The conversation delves into the challenges and opportunities of adopting AI tools in traditionally manual real estate processes, with William emphasizing the importance of retaining human judgment and ethical oversight. Alec and William explore the risks of bias in AI-driven decision-making and the potential for AI to both democratize and transform capital raising and due diligence. The episode concludes with a lively lightning round, touching on automation, investment tools, and future trends such as blockchain in real estate.Summary:Career Journey: William Hollis shares how self-taught software skills led him to enterprise AI and, ultimately, real estate tech entrepreneurship. AI in Real Estate: Discussion on how AI can streamline capital raising, investor targeting, and due diligence while addressing legacy industry challenges. Ethical Concerns: William highlights the importance of maintaining human oversight to mitigate bias and ensure fair outcomes in AI-powered real estate decisions. Investor Advice: Practical guidance for new investors, stressing the value of personal relationships, thorough research, and aligning investment strategies with individual goals. Future Trends: Insights into blockchain, automation, and the evolving role of AI in shaping the future of real estate and job markets.Companies/Organizations: RaiseAIArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.DisneyNikeMovies: Ocean's ElevenWALL-ECopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Building the Future with Agentic AI: A Conversation with Yaakov Sash of Casso AI
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes Yaakov Sash, Founder and CEO of Casso AI, for an in-depth conversation about the evolving intersection of AI, finance, and enterprise technology. Yaakov shares insights from his extensive background in banking and digital asset technology, recounting his journey through major financial institutions and the genesis of Casso AI. He explains the concepts of “vibe coding” and “vibe crafting,” highlighting the growing need for structured AI-driven development in enterprise settings. The discussion covers the impact of AI on traditional software roles and the shifting requirements for computer science graduates, as well as the ethical considerations and risks of advanced AI systems. Alec and Yaakov also touch on influential thinkers such as Ray Kurzweil and Eliezer Yudkowsky, and conclude with a lightning round covering everything from Brooklyn pizza to the enduring value of software design principles.Summary:Career Evolution: Yaakov Sash shares his trajectory from major banks to founding Casso AI, emphasizing adaptability and industry cycles.Vibe Coding vs. Crafting: The episode details the transition from rapid AI-generated app development to thoughtful, specification-driven enterprise solutions.AI’s Workforce Impact: Yaakov discusses the changing role of developers, predicting a shift toward orchestrating and reviewing AI-generated code.Ethical and Safety Concerns: The conversation explores the risks of AI deception, safety in development, and the importance of maintaining oversight.Founders’ Mindset: Building enduring value and pivoting with purpose is highlighted as key advice for entrepreneurs navigating emerging technologies.Companies/Organizations:Casso AIArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Credit SuisseUBSMerrill LynchBank of AmericaJPMCCircleMicrosoftOpenAI (Codex)Anthropic (Claude)Books:The Singularity Is Near by Ray KurzweilThe Singularity Is Nearer by Ray KurzweilWorks by Eliezer YudkowskyWorks by Ray BradburyMovies:SpeedCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Exploring the Future of Wealth Management with Yvonne Kanner, Managing Partner and Co-founder of TRIA Capital Partners
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec Crawford interviews Yvonne Kanner, Managing Partner and Co-founder of TRIA Capital Partners, about the future of wealth management and the impact of AI. Yvonne shares her journey from Mexico City to co-founding a venture capital firm, highlighting her experience with entrepreneurial ventures within Merrill Lynch. The discussion delves into the challenges and opportunities in wealth management, emphasizing the role of innovation and leadership in navigating industry changes. Yvonne expresses concerns about AI's ethical implications and the potential for certain populations to be left behind. The conversation concludes with advice for financial advisors on strategic AI adoption in wealth management.Summary:Yvonne's Journey: Yvonne Kanner shares her path from Mexico City to co-founding TRIA Capital Partners.Wealth Management Evolution: The episode explores the changing landscape of wealth management and AI's role.Leadership and Innovation: Emphasis on the importance of leadership and innovation in adapting to industry shifts.AI Ethical Concerns: Yvonne discusses potential ethical issues and societal impacts of AI in finance.Strategic AI Adoption: Advice for advisors on the importance of strategic planning and data management in AI implementation.Companies/Organizations: TRIA Capital PartnersMerrill LynchArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Movies: Snow White and the Seven DwarfsCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Pioneering AI Safety: Founding Insights from Geordie AI's Hannah Darley
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes Hannah Darley, Co-Founder and Chief AI Officer at Geordie AI, to discuss the intricacies of AI agent risk management. Hannah shares her unique journey from intelligence operations to co-founding Geordie AI, highlighting the importance of structured analytics and vulnerability in leadership. She elaborates on how Geordie AI aims to mitigate risks associated with AI agents while unlocking their innovative potential. The conversation delves into ethical AI frameworks, emphasizing the need for multiple judgment layers in decision-making processes. Hannah also shares insights into her transition from employee to founder, underscoring the importance of time management and team impact.Summary:AI Agent Risk Management: Hannah Darley explains how Geordie AI helps businesses manage AI agent risks while fostering innovation.Leadership and Vulnerability: Discusses the role of vulnerability in leadership and its impact on effective decision-making.Ethical AI Frameworks: Emphasizes the necessity of multiple judgment layers in creating ethical AI systems.Human Behavior in AI Governance: Highlights the influence of human behavior on AI system effectiveness and governance.Founder's Journey: Insights into the challenges and adjustments when transitioning from an employee to a founder.Companies/Organizations: Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Geordie AIDarktraceMicrosoftSalesforceZendeskBooks: Daring Greatly by Brené BrownMovies: The Lord of the Rings Extended EditionTV Shows: Gilmore GirlsCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Exploring AI Use Cases with Jonathan Kvarfordt, Head of GTM Growth Momentum, Founder of GTM AI Academy, and Co-founder of AI Business Network
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec Crawford speaks with Jonathan Kvarfordt, Head of GTM Growth Momentum, Founder of GTM AI Academy, and Co-founder of the AI Business Network. Jonathan shares his journey from sales and enablement to becoming a leader in AI strategy and growth. The discussion delves into the importance of aligning AI strategies with business objectives, highlighting the need for data access and ethical considerations in AI applications. They explore the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI in regulated industries, emphasizing the importance of trust and compliance. Jonathan also offers insights into practical AI use cases and the significance of educating leaders and teams in leveraging AI effectively.Summary:AI Strategy Alignment: Jonathan emphasizes integrating AI strategy with overarching business goals.Data Access Challenges: AI's potential is hindered by siloed data structures in organizations.Ethical Considerations: The episode discusses the need for transparency and ethical guidelines in AI use.Practical Use Cases: Jonathan shares examples of AI's impact on CRM processes and time optimization.Trust and Compliance: Highlighting the importance of trust in AI tools, especially in regulated industries.Companies/Organizations: GTM Growth MomentumGTM AI AcademyAI Business NetworkJP Morgan ChaseMomentumArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Movies: Beverly Hills CopCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Cybersecurity and AI: A Two-Edged Sword — A Conversation with Jocelyn King, Founder of Smarter Online Safety
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Jocelyn King, a leading figure in cybersecurity and founder of Smarter Online Safety, shares her compelling journey from being a cybercrime victim to becoming an advocate for online safety. The episode underscores the importance of proactive cybersecurity measures and the impact of AI in both aiding and combating cyber threats. Jocelyn discusses her personal experiences with cyber intrusions, the creation of her comprehensive checklist for digital protection, and the role of AI in contemporary cybersecurity challenges. She emphasizes the need for both individuals and companies to adopt robust security practices and highlights the psychological tactics employed by cybercriminals. Additionally, the episode covers the ethical considerations surrounding AI use, particularly in preventing data breaches and maintaining privacy.Summary:Guest Background: Jocelyn King is a renowned cybersecurity expert and the founder of Smarter Online Safety.Cybersecurity Journey: Jocelyn shares her personal experience of being targeted by cybercriminals, which led to her mission to educate others on online safety.AI and Cybercrime: The discussion highlights how AI is used by both cybercriminals and cybersecurity experts, changing the landscape of digital threats.Digital Self-Defense: Jocelyn outlines key steps individuals can take to secure their digital lives, emphasizing the importance of basic security measures.Ethical AI Use: The conversation touches on the ethical responsibilities of companies in using AI technology safely and transparently.Companies/Organizations:Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Smarter Online SafetyIntelFBISilicon Valley AI CryptoWaters TechnologyFerrariCal BerkeleyHong Kong UniversityBooks:Getting Things Done by David AllenRaising AI by DekaiTV Shows:Ted LassoCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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AI Empowering Humans, Not Replacing Them — Manuj Aggarwal, Founder & Chief Innovation Officer at TetraNoodle Technologies
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec Crawford interviews Manuj Aggarwal, Founder and Chief Innovation Officer at TetraNoodle Technologies. Manuj shares his journey from a small town in India to becoming a successful entrepreneur in Canada, highlighting the challenges and opportunities he encountered. They discuss the disruptive potential of AI and how it can enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. Manuj emphasizes the importance of aligning personal and organizational goals using AI and the concept of creating digital twins to optimize decision-making. The conversation also touches on the future of work and the role of creativity in an AI-driven world.Summary:Entrepreneurial Journey: Manuj Aggarwal shares his inspiring journey from India to Canada and his path to founding TetraNoodle Technologies.AI Empowerment: Emphasizes how AI can enhance human capabilities and align personal and organizational goals.Digital Twins: Discusses creating digital twins of executives to optimize decision-making in organizations.Future of Work: Explores the potential for AI to transform work and unleash human creativity.AI Disruption: Highlights concerns about AI's rapid changes and the need for responsible management to prevent social unrest.Companies/Organizations:TetraNoodle TechnologiesArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.MicrosoftIBMT-MobilePearson EducationBridgewaterBooks: "Principles" by Ray DalioMovies: ArrivalCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Managing Your AI Reputation: Insights from George Swetlitz, Co-Founder of RightResponse AI
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.George Swetlitz, co-founder of RightResponse AI (https://www.rightresponseai.com/), brings a wealth of experience from consulting and operational roles, including significant leadership positions at McKinsey and Sara Lee Corporation. This episode delves into the evolving landscape of AI in reputation management, emphasizing the transition from traditional customer feedback to AI-driven insights. Swetlitz discusses the implications of AI-generated responses and the importance of maintaining brand consistency in digital interactions. He explores the challenges of adapting to generative engine optimization, highlighting how companies can leverage AI to enhance their digital footprint. Additionally, the conversation touches on ethical concerns, including privacy and the balance between automation and human interaction in customer service.Summary:Guest Background: George Swetlitz is a seasoned consultant and business leader, now co-founder of RightResponse AI.AI in Reputation Management: RightResponse AI uses AI to enhance how businesses manage and respond to customer reviews, focusing on brand consistency.Generative Engine Optimization: Swetlitz highlights the shift from traditional SEO to generative engine optimization, crucial for reaching younger audiences.Ethical AI Concerns: The episode covers privacy and the ethical use of AI, emphasizing the need for real personalization over fake personalization.AI Implementation Advice: Swetlitz advises CEOs to start with simple AI projects and choose vendors carefully to manage risks effectively.Companies/Organizations: Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.RightResponse AIMcKinseySara Lee CorporationHarvardJ.P. MorganTrader Joe'sCrate and BarrelBooks: Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel KahnemanMovies: CasablancaCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Sean Neville — Co-Founder of Catena Labs & Circle: The Convergence Trajectory of AI and Blockchain
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec Crawford interviews Sean Neville, Co-founder and CEO of Catena Labs, as well as Co-founder and Board Member at Circle. Sean shares the origin story of Circle, reflecting on its mission to democratize finance using internet technology. The discussion covers the transformative potential of AI and blockchain, emphasizing the need for robust AI governance frameworks to ensure safety and compliance. Sean highlights the importance of programmable money and the integration of stablecoins within financial systems. The episode concludes with Sean offering insights on various topics from blockchain security to AI's role in economic transactions.Summary:Circle's Origin: Sean Neville discusses the founding of Circle and its goal to democratize finance using global internet standards.AI and Blockchain: The convergence of AI and blockchain technologies is explored, highlighting their potential to transform global financial systems.Programmable Money: Sean explains the concept of programmable money and its implications for financial transactions.AI Governance: The necessity of developing AI governance frameworks for safe and compliant economic participation is emphasized.Final Insights: Sean shares perspectives on topics ranging from blockchain security to AI agents in finance.Companies/Organizations: Catena LabsCircleBrightcoveGeneral CatalystArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books: Super Agency by Greg Beato and Reid HoffmanMovies: The Social NetworkCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Andriy Burkov, PhD in AI — How Artificial Intelligence Is Changing Software Development Forever
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec Crawford speaks with Andriy Burkov, who holds a PhD in artificial intelligence and is the author of several books including "The Hundred Page Machine Learning Book" and "Machine Learning Engineering." The conversation dives into Andriy's academic background in multi-agent systems and computational game theory, highlighting his significant contributions to algorithms for Nash Equilibrium in multi-turn games. Andriy shares insights into his transition from academia to industry, recounting his experiences with companies like Fujitsu and innovative startups in Quebec. The discussion shifts to how AI is revolutionizing software development, with Andriy emphasizing the increased productivity for experienced engineers and the challenges faced by recent computer science graduates in a competitive job market. The episode concludes with Andriy's perspectives on the ethical implications of AI and his advice for businesses starting their AI journey.Summary:Guest Introduction: Andriy Burkov discusses his academic background and contributions to AI, particularly in multi-agent systems.Career Transition: Shares experiences moving from academia to industry, working with Fujitsu and innovative startups.AI in Software Development: Explores how AI is enhancing productivity for experienced software engineers.Challenges for Graduates: Addresses the competitive job market for computer science graduates and offers advice for gaining experience.Ethical Considerations: Discusses the importance of understanding AI's limitations and the potential risks in its deployment.Companies/Organizations: Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.FujitsuBooks: The Hundred Page Machine Learning BookArtificial Intelligence: A Modern ApproachMovies: Terminator 2Alien Harry PotterThe Lord of the RingsTV Shows: Breaking BadGame of ThronesCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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AI vs AI: Defending Against the Bad Guys with Nicole Carignan, SVP of Security & AI Strategy at Darktrace
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.Nicole Carignan, Senior Vice President of Security and AI Strategy at Darktrace, shares her journey from a computer science background to leading AI security strategies. The episode explores the necessity of using AI to combat AI-driven cyber threats, highlighting the importance of autonomous systems in defending against sophisticated attacks like those from Scattered Spider. Nicole discusses the evolving landscape of AI agents, emphasizing the blend of human intuition and AI analytics for optimal decision-making. She also reflects on the ethical implications of AI in cybersecurity and the importance of embedding security into AI innovations. Additionally, Nicole offers insights into her daily role at Darktrace and her predictions for AI's future impact on security.Summary:Guest Background: Nicole Carignan is the Senior Vice President of Security and AI Strategy at Darktrace.AI in Cybersecurity: Nicole emphasizes the critical role of AI in defending against AI-powered cyber threats, advocating for autonomous response systems.Human vs. AI Decision Making: She discusses the importance of combining human intuition with AI analytics to enhance decision-making processes.AI Agents & Autonomy: Nicole explains the concept of AI agents and the need for diverse models to achieve reliable autonomous systems.Ethical Considerations: The conversation touches on the ethical challenges of AI in cybersecurity, urging for responsible innovation and security by design.Companies/Organizations:Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Troutman Street AudioDarktraceNASALockheed MartinCISABooks:AI Snake OilMovies:The MatrixCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Creative Machines with Maya Ackerman, WaveAI Co-founder & Professor at Santa Clara University
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Maya Ackerman, a professor at Santa Clara University and co-founder of Wave AI, shares her journey from aspiring programmer to a pioneering figure in AI-generated creativity. The episode delves into the concept of AI as a reflection of society’s collective unconscious and explores how generative AI can enhance human creativity rather than replace it. Maya discusses her book, "Creative Machines," which envisions AI as a tool to elevate human creativity through humble collaboration. The conversation also touches on AI’s potential impact on employment and the ethical considerations of AI development. Maya emphasizes the importance of authentic connections and strong team dynamics in startup success and advises leaders to shape AI's future responsibly.Summary:Guest Background: Maya Ackerman is a professor at Santa Clara University and co-founder of Wave AI, with a focus on AI and creativity.Creative Machines: Her book explores AI as a mirror reflecting societal biases and envisions AI enhancing human creativity.AI and Society: Maya discusses AI’s potential impact on employment and stresses the need for ethical development.Startup Insights: She highlights the importance of strong team dynamics and authentic connections for entrepreneurial success.Vision for AI: Maya advocates for AI as a humble partner that elevates human creativity rather than replacing it.Companies/Organizations:Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Wave AISanta Clara UniversitySound MicrosystemsNvidiaA16 ZLightspeedGEMorgan StanleyTroutman Street AudioBooks:Creative Machines by Maya AckermanBeing You by Anil SethJack Welch’s biographyMovies:Before MidnightTV Shows:Game of ThronesCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Tristan Pelloux, Entrepreneur & Educator: Why Every AI Initiative Must Start with a Business Case
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Tristan Pelloux, an entrepreneur and visiting professor at SRH in Germany, shares his journey from corporate finance to strategic innovation, leveraging new technologies. The episode delves into the essence of strategy, highlighting Michael Porter's influential piece, "What is Strategy?" and its foundational impact on business decision-making. Tristan discusses the current AI landscape, emphasizing the importance of starting with a clear business case before integrating AI solutions. Key discussions include the role of AI in improving operational efficiency and governance, along with potential risks such as data privacy and regulatory compliance. Tristan also shares his insights on how students and professionals can embrace AI tools to enhance their skills and adapt to changing job landscapes.Summary:Guest Background: Tristan Pelloux is an entrepreneur and visiting professor at SRH in Germany, with a background in corporate finance and strategy.Strategy Simplified: Discusses Michael Porter's "What is Strategy?" and its importance in understanding business positioning and differentiation.AI Hype and Reality: Emphasizes starting with a business case and avoiding the pitfall of adopting AI without a clear problem-solving focus.AI and Governance: Highlights the importance of considering data privacy, regulatory compliance, and cybersecurity risks when implementing AI.Adapting to AI: Advises students and professionals to leverage AI tools for skill enhancement and to remain adaptable to technological changes.Companies/Organizations: SRHHarvard Business ReviewOpenAIMicrosoft Co-pilotPrince Charles CinemaArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books: "What is Strategy?" by Michael Porter"Bulletproof Problem Solving" by Charles R. Conn and Robert McLeanMovies: CommandoCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Al Kushner | LinkedVantage: What Are You Gonna Do About AI Transforming LinkedIn? How to Use AI to Your Advantage
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Al Kushner, founder and CEO of LinkedVantage, joins the podcast to discuss the transformative impact of AI on LinkedIn. Known for his expertise in leveraging AI for professional networking, Al shares insights from his career, which began in sales, and his journey to becoming a thought leader in the AI space. The episode delves into the ever-evolving landscape of LinkedIn, discussing how AI-generated content is becoming increasingly prevalent. Al emphasizes the importance of profile optimization and personal branding, offering concrete steps for job seekers. He also addresses the challenges and opportunities presented by AI in the job market, highlighting the emerging field of prompt engineering. Finally, Al provides guidance for aspiring authors and reflects on the significance of authenticity in leveraging AI.Summary:Guest Background: Al Kushner is the founder and CEO of LinkedVantage and an award-winning author of "The AI LinkedIn Advantage."Sales and Thought Leadership: Al emphasizes the importance of starting a career in sales and becoming a thought leader.AI's Impact on LinkedIn: The episode discusses the growing use of AI in generating social media content and its implications for LinkedIn.Profile Optimization: Al provides practical advice for job seekers on improving LinkedIn profiles and using AI tools effectively.Job Market and AI: The discussion includes insights on the future of the job market with AI, including the rise of prompt engineering.Companies/Organizations:LinkedVantageArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.MicrosoftFacebookAmazonAudibleSpotifyBooks:"The AI LinkedIn Advantage" by Al Kushner"Atomic Habits" by James ClearMovies:"Pursuit of Happyness"Copyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Vinay Chaudhri — AI Expert & Principal at Knowledge Systems Research on Why AI Shouldn’t Mimic Human Reasoning
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Vinay Chaudhri, a principal at Knowledge Systems Research, LLC, shares his journey from obtaining a PhD in the 1990s to supporting a National Science Foundation initiative focused on integrating deep learning with knowledge graphs. The episode emphasizes the importance of explicitly representing knowledge and utilizing it for reasoning. Vinay discusses his transition from a significant role at JP Morgan to his current position, highlighting the differences in technological adoption between corporate and research settings. He also explores how AI can enhance human reasoning, rather than merely mimic it. Additionally, Vinay shares insights on the potential of AI in various fields, from education to environmental sustainability.Summary:Guest Background: Vinay Chaudhri is a principal at Knowledge Systems Research, LLC, supporting a National Science Foundation AI initiative.AI History: Vinay started his AI journey in the 1990s, focusing on knowledge bases and human-like reasoning.Career Transition: He transitioned from JP Morgan to research, valuing intellectual challenge and family goals.AI Research: Emphasizes explicit knowledge representation and AI's potential to enhance human reasoning.Technological Adoption: Contrasts JP Morgan's proactive approach to AI with more conservative institutions.Companies/OrganizationsKnowledge Systems Research, LLCNational Science FoundationUniversity of TorontoStanfordJP MorganSRI InternationalSanta Fe Institute of ComplexityArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.BooksYoga SutrasMoviesThe Sound of MusicCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Life's Echo Co-Founder Steve Endacott: How to Build a Car Around the Gen AI Engine
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.In this enlightening episode, Alec Crawford welcomes Steve Endacott, a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Life's Echo. Steve shares his fascinating journey from disrupting the UK travel industry with dynamic packaging to pioneering AI-driven solutions. He discusses how AI is reshaping the travel sector, particularly through the innovative projects of his AI incubator, Neural River. Key topics include the transformative potential of AI in voice technology and the ethical considerations surrounding AI usage. Steve also introduces Life's Echo, a platform for creating personal autobiographies through AI. The conversation underscores the rapid pace of AI adoption and the need for strategic planning to address potential societal impacts.Summary:Guest Background: Steve Endacott is a serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Life's Echo, with a history of innovation in the travel and tech industries.AI Incubator: Steve discusses Neural River, an AI incubator that nurtures young talent and spins out new AI-driven businesses.AI in Travel: The conversation explores how AI is poised to revolutionize the travel industry, particularly through AI Search and voice technology.Life's Echo: Steve introduces Life's Echo, a service that uses AI to create personal autobiographies and digital twins for future generations.Ethical Considerations: The discussion touches on the ethical implications of AI, including job displacement and the importance of data security.Companies/Organizations:Life's EchoArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.GoogleTripAdvisorRedditKongaBooking.comThomas CookMy TravelTroutman Street AudioMovies:AmadeusCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Resolving AI Ethical Dilemmas with Dan Nestle of Inquisitive Communications
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Dan Nestle, Chief Curiosity Officer at Inquisitive Communications, shares his unique journey from a communications novice to an AI ethics advocate. The episode centers around resolving AI ethical dilemmas, highlighting Dan's emphasis on transparency and accurate representation in content creation. He discusses his transition from corporate roles to founding Inquisitive Communications and the impact of AI on strategic communications. The conversation also delves into his favorite AI tools and the importance of maintaining ethical standards while leveraging AI for content creation. Dan offers insights on how CEOs can integrate AI into their business strategies, emphasizing the need for education, flexibility, and cultural adaptation.Summary:Guest Background: Dan Nestle is the Chief Curiosity Officer at Inquisitive Communications with a rich history in strategic communications and AI ethics.AI Tools: Dan actively uses AI tools like Perplexity, Notebook LM, and Claude for content creation and strategic advising.Ethical Content Creation: He emphasizes transparency and the importance of accurately representing original thought when using AI in content creation.Corporate AI Integration: Dan advises CEOs on the importance of educating their workforce and adopting flexible AI strategies.Community Influence: He discusses the impact of the Rise community and the significance of dark social platforms in modern communications.Companies/OrganizationsInquisitive CommunicationsTroutman Street AudioUPennLIXILPage SocietyPRSAWeber-ShandwickArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.BooksRich Dad Poor DadThe New Rules of Marketing and PRCo-IntelligenceMoviesMoneyballTV ShowsSiloCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Mark Andrews, Founder & CEO of AI Prophets: Upscale Your AI — Turn It from an Axe into a Chainsaw
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Mark Andrews, the founder and CEO of AI Prophets, brings a rich background in finance and digital marketing to the AI landscape. This episode focuses on leveraging AI as a practical tool for businesses and individuals, emphasizing the importance of AI literacy. Key topics include the democratization of data through AI, the impact of internal data on AI effectiveness, and the potential pitfalls of over-relying on AI without understanding its limits. Mark shares insights on how companies can enhance productivity by integrating AI into their operations, and he discusses the evolving role of AI in the workplace and its implications for new graduates. The conversation also delves into ethical considerations and the societal impact of AI technologies.Summary:Guest Background: Mark Andrews is an AI literacy expert and the founder and CEO of AI Prophets.AI as a Tool: He emphasizes using AI to enhance productivity and save time in the workplace.Data Democratization: Discusses the importance of using internal data with AI for better decision-making.AI Literacy for Graduates: Offers advice to new graduates on embracing AI to improve job prospects.AI Ethics: Highlights the need for careful consideration of AI's societal and employment impacts.Companies/Organizations: AI ProphetsArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Troutman Street AudioBryant UniversitySyracuse UniversityAnthropicBooks: MoneyballMovies: Field of DreamsTV Shows: It's Always Sunny in PhiladelphiaCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.
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Jason Barnard, Kalicube: Taking Control of Your Brand Narrative in the AI Era
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Jason Barnard, CEO and founder of Kalicube, joins Alec Crawford to discuss his unconventional journey from musician and cartoon creator to a leading expert in Digital Brand Engineering. Barnard emphasizes the importance of controlling one's digital footprint to shape the Digital Brand Echo that AI Assistive Engines perceive. The episode explores his personal transformation under mentor Itamar Morani, the challenges of AI-generated misinformation, and how to strategically position brands in an AI-driven world. Jason shares insights from his career, including his innovative approach, The Kalicube Process, and the development of Kalicube’s powerful SaaS platform. The discussion also touches on the future of AI in marketing and the importance of maintaining human creativity and emotion in business.Summary:Guest Background: Jason Barnard is a former musician and cartoon creator turned CEO and founder of Kalicube, specializing in how brands are represented in an AI-first world.Personal Branding: He discusses the critical role of a digital footprint in shaping a brand's narrative in its Brand SERP and the AI Résumé that machines generate.Mentorship Influence: Jason shares how Itamar Morani helped him transition from a hands-on creator to an effective CEO.AI Challenges: Concerns about AI's role in spreading misinformation and the importance of establishing a single source of truth (an Entity Home).Future of AI in Marketing: Jason outlines how AI Assistive Engines create a Conversational Acquisition Funnel, guiding consumers and why brands must become Top of Algorithmic Mind to be recommended.Companies/Organizations:KalicubeKajabiGoogleMicrosoftChatGPTDeepSeekGeminiCopilotInstagramFacebookArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. Books:Confucius from the HeartMovies:Cool RunningsSome Like It HotTV Shows:IT CrowdCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk
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Stan Sukhinin of SORSO on the Business Processes AI Still Can’t Handle
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Stan Sukhinin, owner of SORSO Fractional CFO Services, shares his journey from the financial sector, including his tenure at institutions like Societe Generale, to founding his own company. The episode delves into why AI is not yet ready for many business processes, emphasizing the importance of consistency and the risks of hallucinations in AI models. Stan discusses the critical role of financial management in business success and the potential for AI to automate and streamline these processes. He also provides insights into his strategic vision for SORSO, focusing on integrating AI to enhance financial operations. Furthermore, Stan highlights the ethical concerns surrounding AI, such as job displacement and the potential for manipulation. He concludes by offering advice for CFOs on adopting AI tools and preparing for the future.Summary:Guest Background: Stan Sukhinin is the owner of SORSO Fractional CFO Services with a rich background in banking and finance.AI Limitations: Discusses AI's current inconsistency and hallucination issues in business applications.Financial Management: Emphasizes the importance of understanding and managing business finances to avoid failures.AI in Finance: Explores the potential of AI to automate financial tasks and improve efficiency.Ethical Concerns: Highlights ethical challenges, including job displacement and AI’s potential for manipulation.Companies/Organizations:SORSO Fractional CFO ServicesSociete GeneraleUniCreditSpotifyKlarnaArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books:Never Enough: From Barista to Billionaire by Andrew WilkinsonMovies:Bend It Like BeckhamCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk
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AI Ethically in Education: Perspectives from Matt Metzger of Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Matt Metzger, a Clinical Professor of Economics at Belk College of Business at UNC Charlotte, discusses the integration of AI in education. He emphasizes the importance of adapting teaching methods to incorporate AI tools, making education more relevant to current job markets. Throughout the episode, Matt shares insights from his book, "The Overnight AI Educator," and explains the concept of backwards design in curriculum development. He also addresses ethical concerns, such as privacy issues and equitable access to AI resources. Matt advocates for preparing students to use AI productively, highlighting the demand from businesses for AI-skilled graduates. The conversation explores the balance between traditional education and AI-enhanced learning environments.Summary:Guest Background: Matt Metzger is a Clinical Professor of Economics at Belk College of Business, UNC Charlotte, and author of "The Overnight AI Educator."AI in Education: Metzger emphasizes the integration of AI tools in educational curricula to match current job market demands.Backwards Design: He advocates for the backwards design approach, focusing on end goals to structure educational activities effectively.Ethical Concerns: Discussion includes ethical issues such as AI-induced cheating, privacy, and equitable access across different regions.Future Skills: Metzger highlights the importance of equipping students with AI skills, aligning with industry needs for AI-competent graduates.Companies/Organizations:Belk College of BusinessUNC CharlotteKent State UniversityUniversity of TennesseeGlobal AI Ethics InstituteArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books:The Overnight AI Educator by Matt MetzgarUnderstanding by Design by Grant WigginsEssential Questions by Grant WigginsSchooling by Design by Grant WigginsMovies:Ferris Bueller's Day OffRisky BusinessTV Shows:MacGyverCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk
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AI Is Evolving—Regulation Isn’t: Jo Ann Barefoot Cofounder of Alliance for Innovative Regulation
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Jo Ann Barefoot, CEO and founder of the Alliance for Innovative Regulation (AIR), joins Alec to discuss the critical lag between AI advancements and financial regulations. A former bank regulator and U.S. Senate Banking Committee member, Jo Ann’s journey led her to establish AIR, aiming to address regulatory challenges in the tech-driven financial landscape. The episode delves into topics such as the rapid pace of technological innovation, the potential for AI to combat financial crime, and the ethical considerations for AI deployment in financial institutions. Jo Ann shares insights on how AI can enhance financial inclusion and the importance of evolving regulatory frameworks to keep pace with technological advancements. Her perspective underscores the necessity of integrating compliance into tech development and fostering a culture of ethical innovation within the financial sector.Summary:Guest Background: Jo Ann Barefoot is the CEO and founder of the Alliance for Innovative Regulation, with a history as a bank regulator and consultant.Technological Convergence: Jo Ann emphasizes how streams of innovation converge to create breakthroughs, highlighting the rapid pace of AI development.AI in Financial Crime: The discussion covers how AI can revolutionize fraud detection and combat financial crime more effectively.Regulatory Challenges: Jo Ann explains the gap between AI advancements and current regulations, stressing the need for principles-based regulation.Ethical AI Deployment: Ethical considerations and risk management are crucial as financial institutions deploy AI to enhance consumer protection and financial inclusion.Companies/Organizations: Alliance for Innovative RegulationUS Senate Banking CommitteeAARPJP MorganHarvard UniversityFederal agenciesCommunity banksCredit unionsArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books: The Future is Faster Than You Think by Peter Diamandis.Movies: Mamma Mia! TV Shows: The FlintstonesCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk
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AI Will Let You Do Your Thing: A Conversation with Matthew White on Platypus OS
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.In this episode, we hear from Matthew White, founder and CEO of Platypus OS. He shares his journey from healthcare staffing to tech entrepreneurship, ultimately leading to the creation of Platypus OS, an AI-driven browser designed to streamline workflows. The conversation explores how Platypus OS integrates AI to manage tasks across over 1500 applications, aiming to revolutionize how businesses operate by treating AI as an integral team member. Matthew discusses the challenges faced while developing a new browser, the potential for AI to transform small businesses, and his vision of AI as the future operating system. He also covers the broader implications of AI on the job market and the importance of ethical considerations.SummaryGuest Background: Matthew White is the founder and CEO of Platypus OS, with a diverse career path from healthcare staffing to tech innovation.AI-Powered Browsing: Platypus OS integrates AI into browsers, enabling automation across numerous applications, aiming to simplify and enhance business operations.Building a Browser: The development of Platypus OS involved unexpected challenges, particularly in creating a functional, organized browser from scratch.AI as an Operating System: Matthew envisions AI evolving into a central operating system, fundamentally altering how businesses and individuals interact with technology.Job Market Impact: He discusses potential disruptions AI may cause in the job market and the need for ethical regulation to guide its development.Companies/OrganizationsPlatypus OSQebotBetter Business BureauWaymoArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.BooksThe Goal by Eliyahu GoldrattMoviesThe Social NetworkLord of the Rings Copyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk
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Marketing in the Age of AI: Lessons from Nuri Cankaya at Intel
In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.Nuri Cankaya, VP for Commercial and AI Marketing at Intel and author of "AI in Marketing," shares his journey from his early tech interest sparked by a Commodore 64 to his influential roles at Microsoft and Intel. The episode delves into the evolution of AI from early expert systems to current applications, emphasizing the role of AI in marketing and future implications. Nuri discusses AI's transformative potential in marketing through his AIM framework—Assess, Implement, and Measure. He also explores the ethical considerations and challenges of AGI, providing insights into AI regulation. The conversation concludes with a light-hearted lightning round addressing topics from AI’s job market impact to living in Kirkland, Washington.Summary:Guest Background: Nuri Cankaya is the VP for Commercial and AI Marketing at Intel, with a rich history in tech spanning roles at Microsoft and authoring several books, including "AI in Marketing."AI Marketing Impact: Nuri introduces the AIM framework to illustrate AI's profound influence on marketing strategies.AGI Concerns: The discussion highlights potential risks of Artificial General Intelligence and the need for ethical guidelines.Personal Insights: Nuri shares personal anecdotes, including his journey from Microsoft to Intel and the importance of mentoring.Future AI Developments: The episode explores future possibilities, including brain-AI interfaces and the societal impact of AI advancements.Companies/Organizations:IntelMicrosoftOpenAIGoogle DeepMindMetaNvidiaAMDAnthropicArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Books:AI in Marketing by Nuri CankayaThe Singularity is Nearer by Ray KurzweilSuperintelligence by Nick BostromMovies:Ready Player OneTV Shows:Black MirrorCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
I am your host, Alec Crawford, Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. and this is AI Risk-Reward, a podcast about balancing the risk and reward of using AI personally, professionally, and as a large organization!We will discuss hot topics such as, will AI take my job or make it better? When I ask Chat-GPT work questions, is that even safe? From an ethical perspective, is it enough for big companies to anonymize private data before using it? (Probably not.)I am discussing these issues with AI experts to answer burning questions and stay ahead of the curve on AI. I’d also like to give a shoutout to our podcast producer and audio engineering team at Troutman Street Audio. You can check them out on LinkedIn.
HOSTED BY
Alec Crawford
CATEGORIES
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