Pondering AI

Kelly Monahan reimagines the story of AI at work, helping leaders to reclaim the plot and draw up new business blueprints that optimize human capability and innovation. Kimberly and Kelly discuss what work and AI are all about; universally held (un)truths; if people are lazy; economic incentives and employee experience; optimization vs. maximization; AI as an elevator; how leaders lose the plot; what constitutes good business; the danger in humanizing AI; human variance and innovation; desirable work; creating space for learning; keeping people employable; and bringing humanity back to work. Kelly Monahan is a preeminent Future of Work and AI Advisor working at the intersection of leadership, labor markets and emerging tech. Prior to co-founding Beyond the Desk , Kelly served as Managing Director of the Upwork Research Institute and held senior leadership roles positions at Meta, Accenture and Deloitte. Related Resources: Reclaim the Plot : How Leaders Rewrite the Story when AI Rewrites Work (book) Essential : How Distributed Teams, Generative AI, and Global Shifts Are Creating a New Human-Powered Leadership (book) Dr. Kelly Monahan (website) A transcript of this episode is here .

Leigh Felton believes we can benefit from AI systems without surrendering to them if we carefully consider the environments and behaviors we promote while deploying AI. Kimberly and Leigh discuss the power of perspective; organizations as people; using AI consciously; the AI environment and library etiquette; how AI use shapes human behavior; whether AI systems are adaptive; AI authority and narrow optimization; the gap between lived experience and historical data; the AI Emperor’s new clothes; quiet organizational failures; and who benefits from humanizing AI. Leigh Felton is the President of the AI for Job Security Foundation . Leigh applies her extensive experience leading communications, business strategy and operations at the world’s largest tech companies to help organizations make conscious decisions about and with AI. Related Resources: I Could’ve Been CEO Yesterday V1: But AI Algorithms Say I’m a DEI Risk Today (book) I Could’ve Been CEO Yesterday V2: Does AI Decide Who’ll Be CEO Tomorrow? (book) Inside Power w/ Leigh Felton (newsletter) A transcript of this episode is here .

Sarah Barrington shifts from simply asking “real or fake?” to deeply considering the ways AI and synthetic media influence our notions of culture, identity and trust. Kimberly and Sarah discuss her road from the fast track of F1 to the frontlines of AI; the genesis of photography; supercharging existing harms with GenAI; the unsavory roots of synthetic media; microtargeting and information warfare; the liar’s dividend; content detection and digital identity; the agentic AI challenge; culture, identity and relevance; Mythos, AI access and proliferation; anti-regulatory narratives; the nuclear analogy; equipping policy makers and the public; questioning everything; and true AI enablement. Sarah Barrington is an AI researcher and PhD Candidate at UC Berkeley where she is part of Professor Hany Farid’s digital forensics lab. She also holds multiple cybersecurity positions. A specialist in generative AI & deepfake analysis, Sarah’s work has been cited at the Nobel Prize Summit, on NPR, by the UN and in numerous publications. Related Resources: David Attenborough and the Voice That Revealed a Planet ( article ) Sarah’s Research and Publications ( website ) The DeepSpeak Dataset Get Real Security Labs A transcript of this episode is here .

Renée Cummings channels the spirit of due process while envisioning a radically imaginative world in which the benefits of ethical AI innovation are available to all. Kimberly and Renée discuss her radical optimism; finding joy in justice; AI’s criminal misadventures; bringing an ethical imagination to AI; creative innovation; our responsibility to the future; AI as a public health challenge; the social contract and duty of care; how governance, data, and trust intertwine; due process as core to intelligence; child protection and the AWARE (algorithmic awareness and responsible engagement) campaign; giving love a break; and why responsibility requires honesty. Renée Cummings is a Professor of Practice at the University of Virginia School of Data Science as well as a Nonresident Senior Fellow and Co-Director of the AI Equity Lab at the Brookings Institution. Renee also serves as the Co-Chair of the Global Academic Network at the Centre for AI and Digital Policy ( CAIDP ). Related Resources: Michigan Technology Journal: An Invitation to Partner (article) The A.W.A.R.E Initiative (Press Kit) Who is Raising Your Child? (A.W.A.R.E Initiative publication) A transcript of this episode is here .

Ryan Bishara and Christian Lau team up on an AI and data playbook that delivers an engaging, penalty free experience for LAFC employees and fans on and off the pitch. Ryan, Christian and Kimberly discuss LAFC’s innovative ethos; building an analytics and data program from the pitch up; LAFC’s AI plays; making mistakes and continuous learning; keeping AI onside with responsive governance; prioritizing joy and the human experience; if convenience and privacy can co-exist; staying accessible and engaging fans; and how analytics/AI continue to play out in a rapidly evolving ecosystem. Ryan Bishara and Christian Lau serve as the EVP of Revenue & Strategy and Chief Technology Officer, respectively, at the LA Football Club ( LAFC ). A transcript of this episode is here .

Maitreya Shah disables harmful notions and aspires to a world in which AI systems honor the humanity and agency of disabled persons rather than using them as a shield. Maitreya and Kimberly discuss digital tech done well; how society views disabled persons; engaging people with disabilities as leaders and developers; ableist narratives; why ‘fixing’ disabilities misses the mark; confusing accessibility with AI for Good; whitewashing bad behavior with assistive tech; the false dichotomy between access and privacy; disability as a diverse identity; the high stakes for AI reliability and trust; the deepening digital divide; the dearth of disability data and resources; entrenched societal biases; and asking rather than deciding for people with disabilities. Maitreya Shah is a lawyer and researcher working at the intersection of tech policy and disability rights. Maitreya current serves as the Technology Policy Director at the American Association of People with Disabilities ( AAPD ). Related Resources: To Regulate Artificial Intelligence Effectively We Need to Confront Ableism (Article) Maitreya Shah (Profile) A transcript of this episode is here .

Courtney Radsch reports on the political and economic impact of synthetic media and the stultifying consequences of our increasingly low-quality, high-fat media diet. Courtney and Kimberly discuss the range of journalistic endeavors; synthetic media’s entrée on the scene; disinformation vs. propaganda; competing with AI in the marketplace of ideas; content verification, labeling and trust; how synthetic media depends on and undermines journalism; information as a social, political and economic concern; embedded AI ideologies; equating regulation with censorship; information warfare; cognitive liberty in an age of corporate dominance; infrastructure and intent; the need for bright line protections, pluralism and independent oversight. Dr. Courtney Radsch, PhD is the Director of the Center for Media and Digital Governance (formerly CJL) and a non-resident Fellow at the Brookings Institution . An award-winning journalist, scholar, diplomat, and human rights advocate, Courtney was recently named one of the 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics. Related Resources: Same Gatekeepers, New Tollbooths: Mapping the AI Content Licensing Market (CMDG Research Report) The Algorithm Loses Its Immunity (Article) The Pentagon Wants Its Panopticon (Article) The Battle for Cognitive Liberty in the Age of Corporate AI (Tech Policy Press) A transcript of this episode is here .

Olga Goriunova rejects digital abstractions as mirror images of ourselves and reflects on why we concern ourselves with representations that aren’t concerned about us. Olga and Kimberly discuss how cultural imagination is shaped by technology; digital subjects as unnatural constructs; the distance between individuals and their digital profiles; banal categorization and subjective truth; how statistics and ML changed the concept of the ideal; the limits of digital subjects; extreme individuation and aspiring to become our digital reflections; how current predictions create future realities; why the ideal digital subject isn’t concerned with you; and thinking critically about what we desire and why. Olga Goriunova is a cultural theorist working at the intersection of technology, philosophy, and aesthetics. A Professor of Media Arts at Royal Holloway, University of London, Olga is the author of the critically acclaimed book Ideal Subjects: The Abstract People of AI . Additional Resources: Aksioma: Institute for Contemporary Art Book Lecture Olga Goriunova Academic Profile A transcript of this episode is here .

Mel Sellick readies for AI by going beyond literacy to address the psychological, cognitive, and relational capacities required to ensure AI works for humans. Mel and Kimberly discuss AI literacy vs. human readiness; the contours of human vulnerability; AI as a social actor; collective understanding and emotional regulation; instrumental AI dependency; the non-reciprocal nature of AI; the spectrum of relationality; human flourishing; attention, agency and alternate futures; positive friction in human systems; supportive social structures; cognitive offloading and debt; self-reflection and calibrating human needs. Mel Sellick is an applied psychologist specializing in Human-AI interaction. The Founder of the Future Human Lab , her Human Readiness Framework has shaped conversations in IEEE, UNESCO, Oxford, MIT, Harvard and beyond. Additional Resources: Future Human Lab: https://www.futurehumanlab.com/ IEEE Organizational Readiness for Human-AI Interaction (Chair, SA-P7023) https://standards.ieee.org/ieee/7023/12394/ Oxford AI in Education Hub (AIEOU): https://aieou.web.ox.ac.uk/ Harvard AI for Human Flourishing Council: https://hfh.fas.harvard.edu/ai-human-flourishing A transcript of this episode is here .

Drew Burdick designs AI systems to multiply human capacity, prioritizes great experiences, and values the serendipitous magic of human connection and collaboration. Kimberly and Drew discuss building with badass teams; curiosity and innovation; building momentum with AI; human relationships and rapport; proprietary knowledge and expertise; long-term thinking; AI agents as teammates; pricing in human experiences; designing for humans vs. bots; regulation and accountability; societal guardrails; the mid-market squeeze; actions companies should take now; investing in people; and keeping community front and center. Drew Burdick is the founder of StealthX and the CLT Startup House. Drew parlays his deep background in design and solution development to help companies deliver exceptional experiences with AI. Additional Resources: Building Great Experiences (podcast): https://stealthx.co/resources/podcast CLT Startup House: https://cltstartuphouse.com/ A transcript of this episode is here .

Helen Edwards and Dave Edwards are in awe of AI and passionate about course correcting to preserve human authorship and ensure AI systems are for, not from, people. Kimberly, Dave and Helen discuss human authorship; AI as a cultural technology; generative AI as a cognitive tool; biological imperatives and cultural as a countervailing force; cognitive pairing; metacognition and why perception matters most; diverse intelligences; precautionary design principles; AI as a co-evolutionary factor; human finitude; changing AI’s course; creating minds for our minds; designing for the unknown; kindness and hopeful rebellion. Helen Edwards and Dave Edwards are the co-founders of the Artificiality Institute , a nonprofit organization shaping the future human experience of AI. Their longitudinal research program The Chronicle tracks how people actually experience AI in their work and lives. Additional Resources: Staying Human: Authoring Your Mind in the Age of AI (digital book): https://journal.artificialityinstitute.org/tag/book-two/ The SaaS Apocalypse Is A Category Error (article): https://journal.artificialityinstitute.org/the-saas-apocalypse-is-a-category-error/ A transcript of this episode is here .

Afua Bruce explains that public interest tech is about solving complicated problems with real impact for real people, not just fuzzy feelings and philanthropy. Afua and Kimberly discuss misconceptions about Public Interest Tech (PIT); PIT beyond philanthropy; why tech for good isn’t always; purposeful productivity; “solving” non-profits; tech funding traps; PIT design principles; cross-sector career paths; participatory (vacation) design; the messy middle; focusing on impact; responsible investment; and knowing we still have time. Afua Bruce is the founder and CEO of ANB Advisory Group . An author and leading public interest technologist, Afua works with philanthropic institutions, tech companies, and nonprofits to develop and use responsible technology. Additional Resources: The Tech That Comes Next (book): https://thetechthatcomesnext.com/ Dr. Catherine Nakalembe Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/catherine_nakalembe_why_can_t_we_better_prepare_for_extreme_weather Humane Intelligence (non-profit): https://humane-intelligence.org/ A transcript of this episode is here .

Seth Rabinowitz uses AI with intent by studiously prioritizing learning, actively resisting dependency, promoting ethical practices, and seeing people in the data. Seth and Kimberly discuss his shift from fearing AI to fearing (some) people using AI; expertise and critical thinking; how different cohorts use AI; resisting dependency and intentional use; the role of educators; developing soft skills; not confusing AI’s learning with your own; stewarding AI; business ethics and data privacy; prioritizing AI fundamentals and putting people first. Seth Rabinowitz is pursuing a Master’s degree in Data Science and Business Analytics at UNC Charlotte. A transcript of this episode is here .

Taka Ariga hits all the right notes for AI at scale: clarity of purpose, strong foundations, sustainable innovation, engaged ownership, and a confident workforce. Taka and Kimberly discuss going beyond novel AI prototypes; the limits of automation; context building; data sovereignty and integrity; the unstructured data deluge; the unique sensitivities and needs of public agencies; valuing ownership and viable ways to scale; plagiarizing for good; foundations for AI success; wanting innovation without change; rethinking governance; enabling confident AI use; making space for reinvention; and being a skeptical AI advocate. Taka Ariga is a heretical technologist and the founder of Sol Imagination . He focuses on AI strategy design, implementation, and value capture. Taka served the US Office of Personnel Management (OPM) as CDO and CAIO and the US Government Accountability Office (GAO) as Chief Data Scientist and Director of the Innovation Lab. Related Resources: Sol Imagination (company) https://sol-imagination.ai/ A transcript of this episode is here .

Theodora Lau banks on AI becoming our financial GPS and OS but flags required waypoints to protect consumer data rights, maintain trust and close the digital divide. Theo and Kimberly discuss the progression toward a financial GPS powered by AI; consumer data rights and trust; the billion dollar question for 2026; analog identify verification; reducing risk and improving the customer experience; valuing people above transactions; the widening digital divide; upskilling and reskilling; cultivating curiosity and reclaiming time; financial security as the foundation for health; agentic commerce and AI as the financial OS; and always being human. Theodora Lau is the Founder of Unconventional Ventures. A prolific speaker, author and advisor, Theo is an American Banker’s Top 20 Influential Women in FinTech. Recognizing that health and financial security are innately entwined, Theo works to spark innovation in the public and private sectors to meet the needs of underrepresented consumers. Related Resources: Banking on (Artificial) Intelligence (book) One Vision Podcast (RSS feed) Unconventional Ventures (company) A transcript of this episode is here .

Gretchen Stewart knows she doesn’t know it all, always asks why, challenges oversimplified AI stories, champions multi-disciplinary teams and doubles down on data. Gretchen and Kimberly discuss conflating GenAI with AI, data as the underpinning for all things AI, workflow engineering, AI as a team sport, organizational and data siloes, programming as a valued skill, agentic AI and workforce reductions, the complexity inherent in an interconnected world, data volume vs. quality, backsliding on governance, not knowing it all and diversity as a force multiplier. Gretchen Stewart is a Principal Engineer at Intel . She serves as the Chief Data Scientist for the public sector and is a member of the enterprise HPC and AI architecture team. A self-professed human to geek translator, Gretchen was recently nominated as a Top 100 Data and AI Leader by OnConferences. A transcript of this episode is here .

Dr. Chris Marshall analyzes AI from all angles including market dynamics, geopolitical concerns, workforce impacts, and what staying the course with agentic AI requires. Chris and Kimberly discuss his journey from theoretical physics to analytic philosophy, AI as an economic and geopolitical concern, the rise of sovereign AI, scale economies, market bubbles and expectation gaps, the AI value horizon, why agentic AI is harder than GenAI, calibrating risk and justifying trust, expertise and the workforce, not overlooking Rodney Dangerfield, foundational elements for success, betting on AIOps, and acting in teams. Dr. Chris L Marshall is a Vice President at IDC Asia/Pacific with responsibility for industry insights, data, analytics and AI. A former partner and executive at companies such as IBM, KPMG, Oracle, FIS, and UBS, Chris’s mission is to translate innovative technologies into industry insights and business value for the digital economy. Related Resources Data and AI Impact Report: The Trust Imperative (IDC Research) A transcript of this episode is here .

A retrospective sampling of ideas and questions our illustrious guests gifted us in 2025 alongside some glad and not so glad tidings (ok, predictions) for AI in 2026. In this episode we revisit insights from our guests and, perhaps, introduce those you may have missed along the way. Select guests provide sparky takes on what may happen in 2026. Host Note: I desperately wanted to use the work prognostication in reference to the latter segment. But although the word sounds cool it implies a level of mysticism entirely out of keeping with the informed opinions these guests have proffered. So, predictions it is. A transcript of this episode is here .

Masheika Allgood delineates good AI from GenAI, outlines the environmental imprint of hyperscale data centers, and emphasizes AI success depends on the why and data. Masheika and Kimberly discuss her path from law to AI; AI as an embodied infrastructure; forms of beneficial AI; if the GenAI math maths; narratives underpinning AI; the physical imprint of hyperscale data centers; the fallacy of closed loop cooling; who pays for electrical capacity; enabling community dialogue; starting with why in AI product design; AI as a data infrastructure play; staying positive and finding the thing you can do. Masheika Allgood is an AI Ethicist and Founder of AllAI Consulting . She is a well-known advocate for sustainable AI development and contributor to the IEEE P7100 Standard for Measurement of Environmental Impacts of Artificial Intelligence Systems. Related Resources Taps Run Dry Initiative (Website) Data Center Advocacy Toolkit (Website) Eat Your Frog (Substack) AI Data Governance, Compliance, and Auditing for Developers (LinkedIn Learning) A Mind at Play: How Claude Shannon Invented the Information Age (Referenced Book) A transcript of this episode is here .

Kati Walcott differentiates simulated will from genuine intent, data sharing from data surrender, and agents from agency in a quest to ensure digital sovereignty for all. Kati and Kimberly discuss her journey from molecular genetics to AI engineering; the evolution of an intention economy built on simulated will; the provider ecosystem and monetization as a motive; capturing genuine intent; non-benign aspects of personalization; how a single bad data point can be a health hazard; the 3 styles of digital data; data sharing vs. data surrender; whether digital society represents reality; restoring authorship over our digital selves; pivoting from convenience to governance; why AI is only accountable when your will is enforced; and the urgent need to disrupt feudal economics in AI. Kati Walcott is the Founder and Chief Technology Officer at Synovient . With over 120 international patents, Kati is a visionary tech inventor, author and leader focused on digital representation, rights and citizenship in the Digital Data Economy. Related Resources The False Intention Economy: How AI Systems are Replacing Human Will with Modeled Behavior (LinkedIn Article) A transcript of this episode is here .