Don't Stop Us Now AI Edition

Most of us can see that AI is reshaping our working lives. But what if you could actually see the data on exactly which parts of your job are heading for automation, and which skills you should be doubling down on right now because AI can’t do them better than you? That's precisely what this week’s guest, Helena Turpin, and her company GoFIGR have built. Helena is the co-founder and CEO of GoFIGR, a workforce intelligence company that helps organisations make smarter and more human decisions about their future workforce.In this episode, Helena shares what she's seeing inside organisations right now and what typically surprises leaders when they see their GoFIGR data for the first time.Happily, there's also a genuinely optimistic strand running through this conversation. Helena makes a compelling case for redesigning roles around what humans do best and how we’ve imagined and constructed roles before, and that now it’s time for us to do this again. In this episode you'll also learn:The sobering percentage of tasks across typical HR roles that are likely to be impacted by AIExamples of the uniquely human skills where humans will continue to do a better job than AI The three AI adoption scenarios Helena models for organisations, and how even those opting to go ‘light on’ with AI will still be far more impacted than they realise Why imagination may just be the key to how our roles will look in future, and . . .How GoFIGR’s free assessment tool disaggregates your role into individual tasks and shows you which tasks AI will automate or lead on, and which skills you should focus on building.Helena's perspective is grounded, data-led and surprisingly optimistic. She believes the future of work is ours to create, and this conversation will help you feel more equipped to do exactly that.Useful LinksGoFIGR free AI Impact Assessment tool: Helena Turpin on LinkedInGoFIGR websiteHelena's Substack newsletter on the future of jobs and work Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What does it actually mean to have a colleague who never sleeps, never calls in sick, and can hold thousands of conversations at once? Not in theory but right now, in real organisations?Our guest this week is Patrick Forth, an Group Executive Director at FutureSecure AI, a company that builds what they call AI co-workers: sophisticated agentic systems that sit on org charts, have names and personas, and are managed much like human employees. Patrick shares what some of the AI co-workers they’ve built so far actually do in enterprises today and what it takes to get them working inside organisations.In this episode you'll hear:About the AI co-worker managing thousands of scheduling conversations on WhatsAppWhy their AI co-workers focus on complex, high-return use cases rather than simple automation Patrick's take on the job loss debateHow one organisation puts humans and AI co-workers on the same org chart just in different colours, and Whether AI co-workers should be treated like software or like colleagues.If you want a glimpse into the possible future of your workplace and colleagues then enjoy this episode with someone who’s at the coalface helping companies choose use cases and deploying AI co-workers right nowUseful LinksFutureSecure AI website Patrick Forth on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Most conversations about AI implementation come from consultants selling solutions or vendors pitching tools. This one doesn't.Sean Seah is SVP of Strategy, Technology and Innovation at Langham Hospitality Group, where he's leading AI adoption across a global luxury hotel portfolio. With over two decades in digital transformation at Microsoft, HSBC, and Zuji, Sean brings a rare perspective as he's living inside the messy reality of making it actually work.What emerges from our conversation is a refreshingly practical playbook for AI implementation. Sean reveals why the "boring stuff" nobody discusses—data infrastructure, change management, measurement frameworks—determines whether AI delivers business value or not. He advocates starting small, proving value in weeks rather than years, and letting success create momentum for long term transformation.We explore how Sean balances short-term wins with long-term strategic vision, how he thinks about his AI strategy in a global context, and why luxury hospitality, with its complex blend of human service and operational efficiency offers surprisingly universal lessons for AI implementation across industries.In this episode:How Sean's approach to long term tech transformation includes the necessity that it must deliver short term value as well.Why one of Langham's first major AI investments is customer facing and how it’s faringExamples of how they practically trained their AI agents and staff, andHow Sean’s ensured Langhams isn’t reliant on any one large language modelWhatever sector you’re in, Sean's boots-on-the-ground experience offers a practical roadmap for leaders navigating the gap between AI potential and AI reality.Enjoy this episode!  Useful Links:Sean Seah on LinkedinLangham Hospitality Group Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you've heard the term 'AI agents' but aren't quite sure what they actually are or how they could help you at work, this is the episode for you.Our guest is Dominick Ng, Director of Engineering at Relevance AI, a platform that helps businesses build and deploy AI agents. Before joining the startup world, Dom spent nine years at Google, rising from software engineer to senior manager. He also holds a PhD in Computational Linguistics and won a Fulbright Scholarship to UC Berkeley.What makes Dom such a brilliant guide for this topic is his ability to explain complex technology in human terms. As he puts it, agents are fundamentally about adding human-like decision making to automation — handling the qualitative judgments that previously only people could make.In this conversation you'll hear:•   A clear explanation of what agents actually are and why they're different from previous automation•   Real examples of agents creating entirely new business possibilities that couldn't exist before•   How to address privacy and security concerns when handing tasks to agents•   Dom's advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed by all of thisDom is refreshingly honest about both the opportunities and the concerns he has about AI's impact. His perspective on how humans and AI can work together — and the 'spark' that makes human creativity irreplaceable — is genuinely hopeful without being naive.If you've been curious about agents but not sure where to start, this is the conversation you can thank us for later.As this is our final episode of the year, we want to wish all our listeners Season's Greetings. Thank you for listening throughout the year, and we wish you a kind and fulfilling new year ahead.Enjoy this episode with the ever-curious and articulate Dominick Ng... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered if you’re missing out on some easy AI hacks? We were both surprised recently to read the results of some research we'd conducted with senior executives about their AI usage to see that most people are barely scratching the surface of what these tools can do. That’s prompted us to create this episode bringing you a practical guide to the techniques that actually make a big difference.We're sharing the most powerful techniques and hacks we've discovered after constant AI use and refinement. These aren't theoretical concepts or beginner basics, they're the strategies and simple steps that can transform how effectively you work with tools such as ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini and Co Pilot.In this episode, we reveal four separate and easy approaches that will upgrade your AI outputs immediately. Don’t worry, you won’t need to spend hours learning or implementing any of these hacks.  For example, you'll discover how to get AI to do the heavy lifting on prompts themselves (yes, really), and learn a great way to tackle repetitive tasks with ease, avoiding re-inventing the wheel time and time again.Some of the techniques you’ll hear about include:The metaprompting technique that can save hours of prompt refinementHow Projects, Gems, GPTs and Custom Co Pilots may turbo-charge your productivity A step by step explanation of how you can set up these tools, andExactly how AI was used to help generate some of the copy you’re reading now. Whether you're already comfortable with AI or still finding your feet, we’re confident that at least one of these techniques will help you level up your own AI skills and outcomes. Listen now for practical and real examples of how these techniques work in action to help you work smarter with AI.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we explore how AI is transforming the way we approach and develop strategy - not just in boardrooms, but in so many of the myriad of decisions businesses and leaders need to make almost daily.Our guest is Ross Dawson, a globally recognised futurist, keynote speaker, and strategy advisor. Ross is the bestselling author of ‘Thriving on Overload’ and founder of the Humans + AI community. Ross’s clients around the globe have included Google, Microsoft, American Express and Procter & Gamble.Ross's work today is focused on what AI can do to augment and support humans in a positive, value-adding way. He neatly combines both the big-picture vision of a futurist and the practical insights of someone experimenting with these tools daily.What struck us most about this conversation was Ross's articulation of how AI can be used across four distinct domains of strategy and how he’s observed few organisations have sharp clarity on each of these distinct and important elements. He also shares how AI is prompting forward thinking leaders to think about their strategy development and decision processes in different ways now AI can be injected into the process.In our conversation, you'll also hear Ross share:The technique Ross learned from Nvidia's CEO for optimising AI outputs using multiple modelsPractical examples of AI being used in boardrooms including a unique conversation ‘monitor’The 2 most important human skills Ross believes we all need in an AI-augmented world, and . . . How threatened entry-level jobs can be completely reimagined to create value for both the individual and the business. This is a thought-provoking exploration of how humans and AI can work together to create better strategies and better outcomes, so enjoy this episode with the forward-thinking Ross Dawson.Useful LinksRoss Dawson’s website  Humans + AI CommunityRoss's book - Thriving on Overload  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ever wondered what it's really like inside one of the world's fastest-growing AI companies? This week we get unprecedented access to the inner workings of Leonardo AI through their Chief Commercial Officer, Donna Thomas.Leonardo AI is a Gen AI-powered image and video generator and it’s one of Australia's AI success stories. It scaled from zero to 19 million users in just two years before being acquired by Canva last year.At ‘Leo’ as they call it, Donna plays a central role  overseeing customer, marketing, sales and enterprise adoption, as Leo charts its evolution from a fast-growing creative AI platform to an enterprise-scale solution.        Donna takes us behind the scenes and shares what hypergrowth feels like from the inside. She says Leo has redefined her understanding of speed itself.In such a fast moving environment,  the challenges of managing and sustaining teams through constant change become critical and Donna shares the specific structures and rituals Leo uses to maintain team stability while moving faster than she's ever experienced.In this conversation, you'll also discover:The key differences between working at a traditional tech giant versus an AI-native startup and what skills become essentialThe "listening muscle" required to synthesise signals from customers, competitors, and tech developments in real-timePractical strategies for managing and sustaining teams through hypergrowth and hyper-fast work rhythms Why Leonardo embeds AI across everything from customer service to engineering and HR, and how they manage the complexity of using multiple different AI tools internally; and . . .Donna's advice for professionals wanting to become more AI-fluent and free up time for deep work.Whether you're curious about life inside a cutting-edge AI company or looking for practical insights on adapting and leading in our rapidly changing work environment, this conversation offers a rare glimpse into how a world-leading AI-native organisation is managing these challenges and opportunities. Enjoy this episode! Useful LinksLeonardo AI Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week we explore how AI is reshaping all things marketing with Emma Wharton Love, co-founder of UK-based Spark AI. Emma helps creative agencies and in-house teams navigate the AI era, and her unique background includes helping the entire UK House of Commons transition to hybrid working during Covid.That experience taught Emma something crucial that we explore in this episode, successful AI deployment isn't really about the technology, it's about people and change management. We also probe one of the most sensitive areas for the marketing services industry, how AI is impacting the creative process itself. We also explore what AI video means for advertising and how it may result in a much bigger pool of advertisers in future.During this great conversation you'll also discover:What to avoid when starting out on the AI pathwayThe value of synthetic market research (and what it is)Where Emma believes the biggest gains for agencies lie How she thinks about AI’s future role in marketing creativity, and The one mindset Emma believes is essential for AI success.Whether you're in marketing or not, Emma's approach to managing AI transformation offers valuable lessons for any professional or business trying to harness this technology thoughtfully.Useful LinksSpark AI websiteEmma Wharton Love on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We’re not long back from attending the AI Summit in London - the headline event for London Tech Week. And so this week’s episode is all about sharing the sometimes surprising key insights we took away. The Summit brought together an incredible cross-section of nationalities, perspectives, and industries, giving us what felt like a real-time pulse check of where AI stands right now. We were there on your behalf, identifying amazing leaders and securing some fantastic upcoming guests for the show.In this episode, we share our biggest takeaways from the event - and we suspect at least one of them will challenge what you might expect about AI's current impact in the business world.What you'll hear:The surprising reality about AI's bottom-line impact in most organisations Why even the biggest companies are missing a crucial strategic opportunity with their AI approachThe coming wave of autonomous AI Agents and what this means for how we'll all be working soon, Some rare ‘behind the curtain’ examples of how some of the most forward thinking businesses are applying AI, and . . . The fascinating cultural divide we observed between how Europeans and Americans are talking about AI's impact on jobs.We also explore why so many AI pilots are failing to scale, the risks of unauthorised AI tool usage in workplaces, and what successful AI deployment actually looks like when companies think beyond just automating existing processes.If you've been wondering whether your organisation is behind the curve with AI, or if you're curious about what's really happening beyond the hype, this episode offers some much-needed perspective from the front lines of the AI world around the globe.Useful LinksThe AI Summit LondonMcKinsey report on the 'Gen AI Paradox' Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this week’s episode, we speak with Dr Nici Sweaney, founder of AI Her Way, who brings a powerful perspective on why women urgently need to engage with artificial intelligence - not just for their own personal productivity, but for the future quality of AI itself.Nici's journey into AI consulting and training began with a moment of clarity while rocking her toddler to sleep. As an academic, data scientist, and mother of four, she realised women,  especially those juggling multiple responsibilities, stand to benefit enormously from AI assistance. More importantly, she recognised a concerning gender gap in AI adoption that could have far-reaching consequences.In our fascinating conversation, Nici shares:Why the current gender imbalance in who is using AI presents both a personal productivity loss AND a broader societal challengeHow AI tools are actively learning from us and re-presenting our world back to us - making women's voices critical in these formative stages of the techPractical strategies for moving beyond ‘tinkering’ with AI to integrating it throughout your work and personal lifeA revealing look inside Nici's own business, where AI ‘staff members work alongside humans in every function, andNici’s vision for how AI could transform our future - from solving global challenges to enabling more entrepreneurial thinking.We were particularly struck by Nici's perspective that women have a "moral obligation" to engage with AI. As she explains, these systems are currently being shaped predominantly by male users, and without diverse input they risk perpetuating bias for generations to come.So whether you're AI-curious but hesitant, already experimenting with these tools, or looking to take your AI skills to the next level, this episode offers valuable insights on claiming your place in the AI revolution - not just for your benefit, but for all the women who follow.Enjoy this episode with this forward thinking champion of women, Dr Nici Sweaney.Useful LinksAI Her Way websiteNici on LinkedInNici on InstagramSpecial Offer for ListenersDr Nici has generously offered our listeners free 14 day trial access to her AI for Impact Hub, which includes comprehensive education on the five levels of AI integration, from basic prompting to agentic AI.Access it here: https://aiherway.short.gy/DontStop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our episode this week tackles that quiet question many of us ponder: are others using AI more effectively than we are?We explore some fascinating new research just published by Harvard Business Review that reveals the top 100 AI use cases based on actual user reports. It shows some dramatic changes in how people are using AI compared with just one year ago. We know it will give you new insights on how you could be using AI right now too.What's particularly interesting is that the top five use cases have been completely reshuffled. Entirely new entrants making their debut straight into the top five spots. From deeply personal uses to professional applications, we were surprised by the findings.The research has a unique approach which we explore in this episode as well as:Explore the top 5 use case types and share prompts and experiences Share personal examples of how others are using AI to save hours organising their livesDiscuss why certain uses have skyrocketed in popularity, and Examine a thought-provoking observation from AI thought leader Andrej Karpathy about why AI is unfolding completely differently than any other tech.If you’ve been fretting that your workplace is falling behind in the AI race we share exactly why this might be. And if you have been wondering how your use of AI compares to other peoples’, then this episode may answer that question too. If you’re looking for inspiration on how to use AI then stay tuned for a wealth of practical ideas. Enjoy this episode. Useful LinksFull list of HBR’s Top 100 AI use cases - check our website for the complete list - www.dontstopusnow.coHarvard Business Review article on Top 100 AI use casesAndrej Karpathy's blog post on consumers as AI power usersSubscribe to Don't Stop Us Now – AI Edition wherever you get your podcasts to stay in the loop on what you need to know to remain relevant in this fast-changing world. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Our guest this week, for our 200th episode, is a digital strategist, author, and purpose-driven entrepreneur. After spending a decade at Google, Meg Smith co-founded Cloverbase, a training company focused on AI literacy and tech enablement based in New Zealand.Meg's journey with AI began, like many of ours, with a genuine fear about what these powerful tools might mean for her career. While on maternity leave in November 2022, she had her first encounter with ChatGPT, which sparked concerns about whether she would be relevant in the workplace anymore. Fast forward to today, and Meg has transformed that fear into expertise, helping others navigate the rapidly evolving AI landscape.In this episode, Meg shares specific prompting techniques to get better results from AI tools, why daily practice matters, and how organisations can implement AI safely through what she calls a combined "top-down and bottoms-up" approach. She also brings some great insights on balancing the risks and benefits of these powerful technologies.We particularly loved Meg's take on the human skills that will remain valuable as AI evolves - especially conversation, critical thinking, and storytelling. Her concept of "triangulation" for verifying AI outputs is super practical too. We were drawn to Meg's down-to-earth, thoughtful approach to AI adoption that acknowledges the real fears many people have while offering practical pathways forward. Her focus on making AI accessible through "just in time learning" rather than trying to know everything is such a no-brainer approach for busy people.Enjoy this conversation with the practical and insightful Meg Smith.Useful links AKO - How to Become AI Enabled free course Cloverbase Superhuman AI Newsletter (daily AI newsletter Meg recommends) Microsoft AI Fundamentals (this is a really great basic course) Google AI Essentials (this too is an excellent free course) NVIDIA AI Fundamentals HiTech Hippies (Meg's sustainability blog) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today’s world, data underpins almost everything—from the financial decisions we make to the way businesses and governments operate. What’s more, in the world of AI, data is the fuel and the ‘secret sauce’ that produces the time saving outputs and future potential breakthroughs. But while companies are collecting more data than ever before, many are still struggling to store it effectively, let alone make sense of it, and most of us are not equipped with the skills we all need personally to have sustainable careers in this new, AI-powered era.In our episode this week, we speak with Pinar Ozcan, Professor of Entrepreneurship and Innovation at Said Business School, Oxford University, to explore the profound impact of AI on jobs, skills, and industries—and what you can do to stay relevant.Pinar is a leading expert on AI disruption, open banking, and the strategic role of data in innovation. From the rise of AI-driven financial services to the skills that will define the workforce of tomorrow, she shares invaluable insights on how individuals and businesses can navigate this changing landscape.In this episode you’ll hear: How AI and data are reshaping industries, particularly finance and fintechPractical ways you can stay competitive in the AI-driven job marketWhy data literacy is becoming a must-have skill for professionalsPinar’s take on which countries and companies are leading the way in AI regulation and educationHow AI is both creating and eliminating jobs, and what that means for your careerWe’ll also hear about the personal AI tool that’s transformed the way Pinar works.Don't miss this fascinating and thought-provoking conversation with Pinar Ozcan.Useful LinksPinar’s websiteLearn more about Pinar’s research: Oxford Future of Finance and Technology InitiativeRecommended book: Prediction Machines by Ajay AgrawalPinar’s favourite AI tool: Superhuman – an AI-powered email assistantInfo on the EU AI Act Subscribe to Don't Stop Us Now – AI Edition wherever you get your podcastsShare this episode with a friend or colleague who needs to upskill for the AI era Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.