Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson

In this engaging conversation, Cassie Kozyrkov, former Chief Decision Scientist at Google and founder of Kozyr, dives into the pitfalls of the 'AI-first' mentality. She challenges the 95% failure rate in achieving AI ROI, emphasizing that success hinges on leadership and mindset rather than just technology. Cassie discusses the necessity of fostering a culture that embraces experimentation, the concept of 'AI infrastructure debt,' and the importance of nurturing human involvement in AI systems. Get ready for an insightful take on the real drivers of AI transformation!

Why is adaptability the real superpower for leaders in the digital age?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Erik Qualman, a digital leadership expert, best-selling author, and motivational speaker.Erik is a 5x #1 Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker who has inspired audiences in over 55 countries and reached 50 million people. Voted the #2 Most Likeable Author in the World behind J.K. Rowling, his work Socialnomics has been featured on 60 Minutes, in The Wall Street Journal, and used by organizations from the National Guard to NASA. A professor of Digital Leadership at Northwestern University, Qualman’s research and courses are studied at 500+ universities worldwide. Through his animation studio, he has partnered with brands like Disney, Oreo, Chase, and Cartier. A former MIT and Harvard edX professor and honorary doctorate recipient, Qualman is also the creator of the bestselling board game Kittycorn.Erik joins Geoff Nielson to break down what it really means to be AI-ready. He reveals why the leaders who know how to leverage AI and adapt fast will replace those who don’t. He explains why AI is overhyped in the short term but underhyped in the long term, and how the most successful leaders of the next decade will blend Flintstones-level human connection with Jetsons-era innovation. Erik explains why adaptability and emotional intelligence (EQ) are the new competitive edge in the age of artificial intelligence. This conversation explores how AI can remove friction, save time, and ironically help us become more human, while also exploring the guardrails needed for responsible tech adoption. Erik also shares lessons from advising some of the world’s top brands including Facebook, Disney, and Sony and explains why the future favors those who fail fast, fail forward, and fail better.In this video:00:00 Intro02:00 The “Flintstones First” approach to digital leadership04:40 How AI helps us become more human06:15 Winners, losers, and adaptability in the AI era08:30 Emotional intelligence and leadership in a tech-driven world11:00 The need for guardrails in AI and social media13:00 Teaching AI and digital leadership at Northwestern15:00 How technology is transforming the classroom17:45 The 70/30 rule: what changes vs. what never will19:00 Core advice for leaders and digital innovators21:30 Avoiding hype: testing new tech like AI and Clubhouse23:00 Lessons from Montblanc and the origins of “Digital Leadership”25:00 The Disney+ story: digital transformation done right27:00 Building a culture of “fail fast, fail forward, fail better”30:00 Balancing the Flintstones and the JetsonsConnect with Erik:Website: https://equalman.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qualman/X: https://x.com/equalmanYouTube: @equalmanVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Could AI’s biggest impact be economic, not technological?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder of EZPR and host of Better Offline podcast, Ed Zitron.Ed is a technology writer, public relations expert, and podcaster known for his critical takes on the tech industry and its biggest players. His work has appeared in leading outlets including The Atlantic, Business Insider, and TechCrunch. He is the author of the popular newsletter Where’s Your Ed At, launched in 2020, where he explores the intersection of technology, business, and culture. Ed also hosts the Better Offline podcast, delving into the realities of the tech industry and the ripple effects of the AI boom. With his candid insights and thoughtful commentary, Ed has become a trusted voice and sought-after speaker within the tech community. One of the most outspoken critics of the AI boom, Ed Zitron joins Geoff to cut through the noise and talk about the truth behind generative AI. Ed breaks down why he believes AI “doesn’t work,” what’s really driving the trillion-dollar hype, and why big tech, media, and investors may be steering straight into the next Enron moment. This conversation unpacks why large language models fall short, how Microsoft’s AI Copilot has failed to deliver, and how corporate opportunism and investor “vibes” are fueling one of the biggest speculative bubbles in tech history. They also explore the “Enron-like” risks in the AI hardware race, the potential fallout for retail investors and startups, and tackle one of tech’s most misunderstood narratives, the myth of AI-driven job loss, revealing who’s really being replaced. In this episode:00:00 Intro00:36 “AI doesn’t work”02:05 The limits of LLMs 04:33 Microsoft Copilot and the illusion of productivity07:05 The AI job myth: Who’s really being replaced?10:00 CEOs, opportunism, and the false narrative of AI efficiency12:00 The Salesforce example: Lies, hype, and failure to deliver14:00 What AI can actually do 18:00 The trust problem19:45 Media complacency and tech industry collusion22:00 Microsoft, Nvidia, and false growth25:00 The Enron parallels28:30 Why investors are rewarding bad behavior31:00 Who gets hurt when the AI bubble bursts? 35:00 Unsustainable startups and rising model costs38:00 The coming collapse of AI infrastructure40:00 What business leaders should do now to avoid being burned44:30 The harsh truth about ChatGPT49:00 What real innovation looks like: Batteries, EVs, AR, and more54:00 The future of work beyond AI hypeConnect with Ed:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edzitron/X: https://x.com/edzitronInstagram: instagram.com/edzitronVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Dr. Ben Goertzel, a leading mind in artificial intelligence and founder of SingularityNET, dives deep into the accelerating progress toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). He discusses the implications of corporate incentives in AI innovation, contrasting Big Tech's focus with the potential of decentralized networks. Ben explores the timeline for AGI, the role of large language models, and the risks of unequal job displacement. He also envisions optimistic futures post-AGI and stresses the importance of ethical considerations in AI development.

How are AI and automation shaping both the attack and defense sides of cybersecurity?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder and CEO of Have I Been Pwned, Troy Hunt.Troy Hunt is an Australian security researcher and the founder of the data breach notification service, Have I Been Pwned. With a background in software development specializing in information security, Troy is a regular conference speaker and trainer. He frequently appears in the media, collaborates with government and law enforcement agencies, and has appeared before the U.S. Congress as an expert witness on the impact of data breaches. Troy also serves as a Microsoft Regional Director (an honorary title) and regularly blogs at troyhunt.com from his home on Australia’s Gold Coast.Troy sits down with Geoff to share eye-opening insights on the evolving threat landscape of 2025 and beyond. Despite the rise of AI and automation, Troy emphasizes that many of today’s most damaging data breaches and ransomware attacks still stem from basic human error and social engineering. He explains how ransomware has shifted from encrypting files to threatening data disclosure, making it harder for organizations to manage risk and justify ransom payments. The conversation also touches on how breach fatigue and apathy have led many individuals and businesses to underestimate cybersecurity risks, even as incidents rise globally. He also highlights how AI tools are being weaponized by both defenders and attackers and argues that cybersecurity isn’t about perfect protection but about finding equilibrium: balancing usability, education, and risk mitigation.In this episode: 00:00 Intro01:15 Why human weakness beats AI02:00 Young hackers and the rise of scattered spider04:00 From hacktivists to career criminals05:00 Ransomware’s new tactics07:30 Should companies pay the ransom? 10:20 Can you ever be fully protected? Defense vs. response11:20 How to convince boards cybersecurity is worth the money14:20 Breach fatigue and public apathy18:00 Reframing what ‘sensitive data’ really means20:00 Passwords, reuse, and the real risk equation24:00 Biometrics, face ID & the future of authentication26:30 Threat Modeling 10127:30 Barriers to cyber preparedness29:30 How Have I Been Pwned works 32:00 The Future of Data Breaches38:00 Microsoft’s Role in the Security Ecosystem40:30 AI Hype vs. reality in cybersecurity43:00 When AI helps hackers 52:00 Why transparency still matters after every breach54:00 Accepting risk, building resilienceConnect with Troy:Website: https://www.troyhunt.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyhunt/X: https://x.com/troyhuntVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

What does the future of digital experiences look like when AI, accessibility, and entrepreneurship collide?On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by serial tech entrepreneur, accessibility advocate, and co-founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), Joe Devon.As Chair of the GAAD Foundation, Joe strives to disrupt the culture of technology and digital product development by embedding accessibility as a core requirement. Inspired by his 2011 blog post highlighting the need for mainstream accessibility knowledge among developers, GAAD has grown into an annual event observed on the third Thursday of May, promoting digital access and inclusion for over one billion people with disabilities worldwide. He also co-hosts the Accessibility and Gen.AI Podcast, exploring the intersection of accessibility and artificial intelligence.Joe sits down with Geoff to explore how AI startups are reshaping the digital landscape, from code accessibility to the rise of small business innovation. He shares the story of how one blog post led to a global accessibility movement, why AI-driven tools could either democratize or centralize technology, and how the entrepreneurial spirit will define the next decade. From robotics fused with large language models to AI coding assistants generating billions of lines of code, this conversation dives into the challenges, risks, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and digital leaders navigating this transformation.In this episode:00:00 Intro00:23 The “ChatGPT moment” for robotics01:23 The mission behind Global Accessibility Awareness Day02:29 How AI shifts the accessibility conversation03:08 Why accessibility matters for everyone06:17 Usability and empathy in digital product design12:28 How AI can unlock inclusion and personalization14:45 Aphantasia, hyperphantasia & diverse human abilities17:34 AI and the future of sign language translation19:23 How to work with disability communities23:59 Advice for leaders getting started with inclusive design25:13 AI coding tools revolutionizing software development29:27 Can AI accessibility become the new standard?30:06 How GAAD became a global movement35:24 Entrepreneurship vs. 9-to-5 in an AI-powered economy45:07 Lessons from the early internet and RSS’s decline47:04 The debate on Universal Basic Income (UBI)50:26 Joe’s father’s influence and the accessibility journey52:34 From a blog post to real change in banking57:13 The rise of AI influencers vs. the value of real humans58:36 Advice for those unsure about entrepreneurshipConnect with Joe:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedevon/X: https://x.com/joedevonVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcastFollow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

Mike Bechtel, Deloitte's Chief Futurist and innovation strategist, dives into the transformative impact of AI on our work and creativity. He discusses how automation can elevate human potential, urging workers to embrace curiosity and broad skills to thrive. Mike highlights the importance of human connection and ethical considerations in using AI for strategic thinking. He also warns against relying too heavily on AI for core decision-making, emphasizing that empathy and humanities are irreplaceable in driving innovation.

Which strategies separate the AI startups that thrive from those that die?Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Jeremiah Owyang, a venture capitalist at Blitzscaling Ventures.Jeremiah, a longtime Silicon Valley native, leads investments in early-stage AI startups at Blitzscaling Ventures. He focuses on startups with the potential for rapid scale and enduring leadership in valuable markets. He also organizes the popular Llama Lounge: The AI Startup Event Series. As a speaker, Jeremiah forecasts how early-stage technology will reshape business and society and advises audiences on how to turn disruption into advantage.Jeremiah sits down with Geoff to unpack the reality of Silicon Valley’s AI gold rush. With more than 38,000 AI startups competing for attention, thin technical moats, and the looming threat of consolidation, founders face more pressure than ever to stand out. He shares insider insights on why most AI startups are vulnerable to being wiped out by a single update from @OpenAI or Google, which industries and roles are most at risk of automation, and why critical thinking remains one of humanity’s most valuable advantages. The conversation also explores how Gen Alpha, the first AI-native generation, will grow up and work differently than any before, as well as the rise of AI agents and their impact on everyday work. In this video:00:00 Intro01:45 The AI startup explosion04:30 Why most AI startups will fail without real advantages07:10 One OpenAI update could destroy your startup overnight10:25 Thin technical advantages and the search for moats13:40 What VCs look for in AI startups17:05 The rise of Lean AI startups20:15 AI agents and the automation of entry-level jobs23:50 The skills humans still need27:10 Gen Alpha: The first AI-native workforce30:20 AI’s role in corporate strategy and decision-making34:00 The Risks of over-reliance on AI in business37:25 From Gold Rush to shakeout41:10 How CEOs can future-proof their companies in the AI era45:30 Humanoid robots, agents, and the next wave of disruption49:15 Winners and losers in the AI economyConnect with Jeremiah:Website: https://web-strategist.com/blog/about/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jowyang/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jowyang/X: https://x.com/jowyangVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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: (21) Dr. Ayesha Khanna (@ayeshakhanna1) / XVisit our website: https://www.infotech.com/Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

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