Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson

• Double Agents: Dr Ayesha Khanna on How AI is Turning on Humans

  What risks come with AI systems that can lie, cheat, or manipulate?Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Dr. Ayesha Khanna, CEO of Addo AI.Dr. Khanna is a globally recognized AI expert, entrepreneur, and CEO of Addo, helping businesses leverage AI for growth. With 20+ years in digital transformation, she advises Fortune 500 CEOs and serves on global boards, including Johnson Controls, NEOM Tonomus, and L’Oréal’s Scientific Advisory Board. A graduate of Harvard, Columbia, and the London School of Economics, she spent a decade on Wall Street advising on information analytics. A thought leader in AI, Dr. Khanna has been recognized as a groundbreaking entrepreneur by Forbes, named to Edelman’s Top 50 AI Creators (2025), and featured in Salesforce’s 16 AI Influencers to Know (2024). Committed to diversity in tech, she founded the charity 21C Girls, which taught thousands of students the basics of AI and coding in Singapore, and currently provides scholarships for mid-career women through her education company Amplify. Ayesha sits down with Geoff to discuss how artificial intelligence is disrupting industries, reshaping the economy, and redefining the future of jobs. This conversation explores why critical thinking will be the most important skill in an AI-driven workplace, how businesses can use AI to scale innovation instead of getting stuck in “pilot purgatory,” and what risks organizations must prepare for, including bias, data poisoning, cybersecurity threats, and manipulative reasoning models. Ayesha shares insights from her work with governments and Fortune 500 companies on building national AI strategies, creating governance frameworks, and balancing innovation with responsibility. The conversation dives into how AI and jobs intersect, whether automation will replace or augment workers and why companies need to focus on growth, reskilling, and strategic automation rather than layoffs. They also discuss the rise of the Hybrid Age, where humans and AI coexist in every part of life, and what it means for society, relationships, and the global economy. In this video:00:00 Intro00:43 The future of AI and the next 5 years02:16 The biggest AI risks05:25 Fake alignment & governance09:08 Why AI pilots fail15:30 What successful companies do23:14 AI and jobs: Automation, reskilling, and why critical thinking matters most29:39 The Hybrid Age37:09 AI and society: relationships with AI, human agency, and ethical concerns46:13 Global AI strategies54:00 Overhyped narratives and what people get wrong about AI and jobs56:27 The Skills Gap opportunity58:31 The importance of risk frameworks, critical thinking, and optimismConnect with Dr. KhannaWebsite: https://www.ayeshakhanna.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayeshakhanna/X: https://www.ayeshakhanna.com/Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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• The Lazy Generation? Is AI Killing Jobs or Critical Thinking

  Can automation and critical thinking coexist in the future of education and work?Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Bryan Walsh the Senior Editorial Director at Vox.At Vox, Bryan leads the Future Perfect and climate teams and oversees the podcasts Unexplainable and The Gray Area. He also serves as editor of Vox’s Future Perfect section, which explores the policies, people, and ideas that could shape a better future for everyone. He is the author of End Times: A Brief Guide to the End of the World (2019), a book on existential risks including AI, pandemics, and nuclear war though, as he notes, it’s not all that brief. Before joining Vox, Bryan spent 15 years at Time magazine as a foreign correspondent in Hong Kong and Tokyo, an environment writer, and international editor. He later served as Future Correspondent at Axios. When he’s not editing, Bryan writes Vox’s Good News newsletter and covers topics ranging from population trends and scientific progress to climate change, artificial intelligence, and on occasion children’s television.Bryan sits down with Geoff to discuss how artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace and what it means for workers, students, and leaders. From the automation of entry-level jobs to the growing importance of human-centered skills, Bryan shares his perspective on the short- and long-term impact of AI on the economy and society. He explains why younger workers may be hit hardest, how education systems must adapt to preserve critical thinking, and why both companies and governments face tough choices in managing disruption. This conversation highlights why adaptability and critical thinking are becoming the most valuable skills and what governments and organizations can do to reduce the social and economic strain of rapid automation.In this video:00:00 Intro 01:20 Early adoption of AI: Hype vs. reality02:16 Automation pressures during economic downturns03:08 The struggle for new grads entering the workforce04:37 Is AI wiping out entry-level jobs?05:40 Why younger workers may be hit hardest06:28 No clear answers on AI disruption08:19 The paradox of AI: productivity gains vs. job losses14:30 Critical thinking, education, and the future of learning18:00 How AI reshapes global power dynamics31:57 The workplace of the future: skills that matter most44:03 Regulation, politics, and the AI economy48:19 AI, geopolitics, and risks of global instability57:33 Who bears responsibility for minimizing disruption?59:01 Rethinking identity beyond work1:00:22 Journalism in the AI era: threat or amplifier?Connect with Bryan:Website: https://www.vox.com/authors/bryan-walshLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bryan-walsh-9881b0/X: https://x.com/bryanrwalshVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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• From Dumb to Dangerous: The AI Bubble Is Worse Than Ever

  Are we heading toward an AI-driven utopia, or just another tech bubble waiting to burst? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Dr. Emily Bender and Dr. Alex Hanna. Dr. Bender is a Professor of Linguistics at the University of Washington where she is also the Faculty Director of the Computational Linguistics Master of Science program and affiliate faculty in the School of Computer Science and Engineering and the Information School. In 2023, she was included in the inaugural Time 100 list of the most influential people in AI. She is frequently consulted by policymakers, from municipal officials to the federal government to the United Nations, for insight into how to understand so-called AI technologies. Dr. Hanna is Director of Research at the Distributed AI Research Institute (DAIR) and a Lecturer in the School of Information at the University of California Berkeley. She is an outspoken critic of the tech industry, a proponent of community-based uses of technology, and a highly sought-after speaker and expert who has been featured across the media, including articles in the Washington Post, Financial Times, The Atlantic, and Time. Dr. Bender and Dr. Hanna sit down with Geoff to discuss the realities of generative AI, big tech power, and the hidden costs of today’s AI boom. Artificial Intelligence is everywhere but how much of the hype is real, and what’s being left out of the conversation? This discussion dives into the social and ethical impacts of AI systems and why popular AI narratives often miss the mark. Dr. Bender and Dr. Hanna share their thoughts on the biggest myths about generative AI and why we need to challenge them and the importance of diversity, labor, and accountability in AI development. They’ll answer questions such as where AI is really heading and how we can imagine better, more equitable futures and what technologists should be focusing on today. In this video:0:00 Intro1:45 Why language matters when we talk about “AI”4:20 The problem with calling everything “intelligence”7:15 How AI hype shapes public perception10:05 Separating science from marketing spin13:30 The myth of AGI: Why it’s a distraction16:55 Who benefits from AI hype?20:20 Real-world harms: Bias, surveillance & labor exploitation24:10 How data is extracted & who pays the price28:40 The invisible labor behind AI systems32:15 Diversity, power, and accountability in AI36:00 Why focusing on “doom scenarios” misses the point39:30 AI in business and risks leaders should actually care about43:05 What policymakers should prioritize now47:20 The role of regulation in responsible AI50:10 Building systems that serve people, not profit53:15 Advice for CIOs and tech leaders55:20 Gen AI in the workplaceConnect with Dr. Bender and Dr. HannaWebsite: https://thecon.ai/authors/Dr. Bender LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ebender/Dr. Hanna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-hanna-ph-d/Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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• Siri Creator: How Apple & Google Got AI Wrong

  What does the future of AI assistants look like and what’s still missing?Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Adam Cheyer, Co-Founder of Siri.Adam is an inventor, entrepreneur, engineering executive, and a pioneer in AI and computer human interfaces. He co-founded or was a founding member of five successful startups: Siri (sold to Apple, where he led server-side engineering and AI for Siri), Change.org (the world’s largest petition platform), Viv Labs (acquired by Samsung, where he led product engineering and developer relations for Bixby), Sentient (massively distributed machine learning), and GamePlanner.AI (acquired by Airbnb, where he served as VP of AI Experience). Adam has authored more than 60 publications and 50 patents. He graduated with highest honors from Brandeis University and received the “Outstanding Masters Student” award from UCLA’s School of Engineering.Adam sits down with Geoff to discuss the evolution of conversational AI, design principles for next-generation technology, and the future of human–machine interaction. They explore the future of AI, augmented reality, and collective intelligence. Adam shares insider stories about building Siri, working with Steve Jobs, and why today’s generative AI tools like ChatGPT are both amazing and frustrating. Adam also shares his predictions for the next big technological leap and how collective intelligence could transform how we solve humanity’s most difficult challenges. In this video:0:00 Intro1:08 Why today’s AI both amazes and frustrates3:50 The 3 big missing pieces in current AI systems8:28 What Siri got right and what it missed11:30 The “10+ Theory”: Paradigm shifts in computing14:18 Augmented Reality as the next big breakthrough19:43 Design lessons from building Siri25:00 Iteration vs. first impressions: How to launch transformational products30:20 Beginner, intermediate, and expert user experiences in AI33:40 Will conversational AI become like “Her”?35:45 AI maturity compared to the early internet37:34 Magic, technology, and creating “wow” moments43:55 What’s hype vs. what’s real in AI today47:01 Where the next magic will happen: AR & collective intelligence50:51 The role of DARPA, Stanford, and government funding in Siri’s success54:49 Advice for leaders building the future of digital products57:13 Balance the hypeConnect with Adam:Website: http://adam.cheyer.com/site/home?page=aboutLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adamcheyer/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/acheyerVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRGCheck out other episodes of Digital Disruption: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLIImliNP0zfxRA1X67AhPDJmlYWcFfhDT&feature=shared

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• Next-Gen Tech Expert: This is AI's ENDGAME

  Are we ready for a future where human and machine intelligence are inseparable? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by best-selling author and founding partner of digital strategy firm, Future Point of View (FPOV), Scott Klososky . Scott’s career has been built at the intersection of technology and humanity; he is known for his visionary insights into how emerging technologies shape organizations and society. He has advised leaders across Fortune 500 companies, nonprofits, and professional associations, guiding them in integrating technology with strategic human effort. A sought-after speaker and author of four books—including Did God Create the Internet? Scott continues to help executives around the world prepare for the digital future. Scott sits down with Geoff to discuss the cutting edge of human-technology integration and the emergence of the "organizational mind." What happens when AI no longer supports organizations but becomes a synthetic layer of intelligence within them? He talks about real-world examples of this transformation already taking place, reveals the ethical and existential risks AI poses, and offers practical advice for business and tech leaders navigating this new era. This conversation dives deep into autonomous decision-making to AI regulation and digital governance, and Scott breaks down the real threats of digital reputational damage, AI misuse, and the growing surveillance culture we’re all a part of. In this episode:00:00 Intro00:24 What is an ‘Organizational Mind?’03:44 How fast is this becoming real?05:00 Early insights from building an organizational mind07:02 The human brain analogy: AI mirrors us08:12 What does it mean for AI to “wake up”?09:51 AI awakening without consciousness11:03 Should we be worried about conscious AI?11:59 Accidents, bad actors, and manipulation15:42 Can we prevent these AI risks?18:28 Regulatory control and the role of governments20:03 Cat and Mouse: Can AI hide from auditors?23:02 The escalating complexity of AI threats27:00 Will nations have organizational minds?29:12 Autonomous collaboration between AI nations35:36 Bringing AI tools together36:31 Knowledge, agents, personas & oversight40:11 Why early adopters will have the edge41:00 Are we in another AI bubble?45:01 Scott’s advice for business & tech leaders47:12 Why use-cases alone aren’t enoughConnect with Scott:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/scottklososky/X: https://x.com/sklososky Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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