In this episode of the No Brainer podcast, Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino are joined by Kate Arnold, a senior AI and watsonx technical specialist at IBM and adjunct professor at Fairfield University and Columbia University.

They discuss the current state of AI and its impact on consumers and businesses. They also explore the importance of strategic implementation, change management, and employee education in AI adoption. The conversation touches on the role of AI in various industries, such as healthcare and finance, and the potential for rapid innovation in these areas. And of course, you’re hear a bit about how IBM approaches enterprise AI with watsonx.

Later in the episode, Kait, Greg and Geoff discuss the future of jobs and the need for organizations to prepare their workforce for an AI-powered future. And drawing on her teaching experience, Kait explains that it’s important for students (and hey, we’re all lifelong students, after all) to roll up their sleeves and experience AI firsthand to gain the confidence they’ll need to adapt to AI and stay relevant in the new world of work.

Takeaways

• Consumer hype around AI is high due to a lack of knowledge, but as people become more familiar with AI and its applications, the hype is expected to die down.
• Businesses are using AI to transform their operations and incorporate it into various aspects of their business cycles.
• Successful AI implementation requires a strategic approach, change management, and employee education.
• The impact of AI is expected to be significant in industries such as healthcare and education, where there is room for rapid improvement.
• Organizations need to align their AI initiatives with their strategic goals and focus on areas where AI can have the most impact.
• Employee adoption and usage of AI tools are crucial for the success of AI implementation.
• The future of jobs will be influenced by AI, and organizations need to prepare their workforce for an AI-powered future. AI is already automating simple tasks and eliminating certain jobs, but it also opens the door for new job opportunities.
• Generative AI allows individuals to take on multiple roles and pursue their passions.
• Human interaction and soft skills are still essential.
• It’s important for students and professionals to learn about and embrace AI to stay relevant in the future of work.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:10 The Consumer Hype and Business Adoption of AI

10:17 Strategic Implementation and Change Management in AI

14:28 Rapid Innovation in Healthcare and Education

17:03 Aligning AI Initiatives with Strategic Goals

20:55 The Importance of Employee Adoption and Usage

23:20 Preparing the Workforce for an AI-Powered Future

26:24 The Impact of AI on the Workforce

28:48 Embracing New Job Opportunities with Generative AI

30:40 The Importance of Human Interaction in HR

39:21 Preparing for the Future of Work: Learning and Embracing AI

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