Transform NOW

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:• Goldman finds ‘no meaningful relationship between AI and productivity at the economy-wide level,’ but a 30% boost for 2 specific use cases - https://finance.yahoo.com/news/goldman-finds-no-meaningful-relationship-143553714.html?guccounter=1• Technological Renaissance: AI’s Integration into the Pharmaceutical Industry- https://www.pharmexec.com/view/technological-renaissance-ai-integration-industry • How Enterprises Are Moving From AI Pilots To Real Autonomy - https://www.forbes.com/councils/forbestechcouncil/2026/03/04/how-enterprises-are-moving-from-ai-pilots-to-real-autonomy/ • Federal Technology Lifecycle Management Adopts AI and Automation - https://fedtechmagazine.com/article/2026/03/federal-technology-lifecycle-management-adopts-ai-and-automation-perfcon • AI-powered attack kits go open source, and CyberStrikeAI may be just the beginning - https://www.csoonline.com/article/4140221/ai-powered-attack-kits-go-open-source-and-cyberstrikeai-may-be-just-the-beginning.html • The ‘Tillyverse’ Is Coming: Inside the Rapid Expansion of AI’s First Digital Superstar - https://www.eweek.com/news/ai-actor-tilly-norwood-tillyverse/ Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, host Michael Marchuk welcomes returning guest Lauren Vriens, an AI startup co-founder who previously built one of Accenture’s first generative AI platforms and scaled an electric mobility business in New York. Lauren argues software isn’t dead because users still need guided interfaces, but legacy SaaS will suffer if it only adds “magic buttons” instead of rebuilding AI-native UX where humans manage rather than do grunt work. She warns leaders against framing AI as “teammates,” emphasizing accountability and human judgment, especially in high-stakes decisions, with AI best used to filter information and reduce cognitive load. They discuss collaboration limits of chat-based interfaces, building trusted AI via transparency, control, iteration, and provenance, a prompting “hack” focused on learning theory first, and Notebook’s agent-driven meme-coin pump-and-dump implications for regulation and markets. Lauren advises treating AI spend like a venture portfolio and shares rapid-fire perspectives on tools and myths.Here's what we talked about:-Is Software Dead?-AI Native UX Shift-AI as Teammate Risks-Humans Stay Accountable-Personal AI vs Enterprise-Many to Many Collaboration-Building Trusted AI-Theory First Prompt Hack-Semantics and Prompt Craft-Agent Markets and Regulation-Funding AI Like Venture BetsVisit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:.ChatGPT Ads Now Hit on Your Very First Message https://winbuzzer.com/2026/02/21/chatgpt-ads-now-appearing-first-prompt-free-users-openai-xcxwbn/ .Google VP warns that two types of AI startups may not survive https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/21/google-vp-warns-that-two-types-of-ai-startups-may-not-survive/ .Fashion Complaints Hit 18,000 as AI Supercharges Retail Scams https://www.cxtoday.com/security-privacy-compliance/ai-retail-scams-fashion-complaints-citizens-advice/ .The Medical School Dean Who Says AI in Healthcare Moved Faster Than He Ever Expected https://www.pymnts.com/artificial-intelligence-2/2026/the-medical-school-dean-who-says-ai-in-healthcare-moved-faster-than-he-ever-expected/ .China’s brain-computer interface industry is racing ahead https://techcrunch.com/2026/02/22/chinas-brain-computer-interface-industry-is-racing-ahead/ .Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, host Michael Marchuk speaks with returning SS&C leaders John Bellone (Global CIO, Global Investor Distribution Services) and Jeremy Rossi (Global CIO, Intelligent Automation Analytics) about how enterprise AI adoption is shifting toward transparency and real utility. They discuss rapid progress in AI coding models, why adoption is harder outside software development, and how autonomous agents will change organizational design by pushing people toward higher-level decision-making while still requiring subject matter expertise. They address hallucinations, the need to challenge model outputs, and the importance of training through hands-on use. The conversation covers balancing innovation with global compliance via governance and guardrails, infrastructure competitiveness, choosing and maintaining the right models through testing, risks and benefits of insourcing versus SaaS partners, and separating hype from signal by focusing AI efforts on measurable business outcomes and experimentation.Here's what we talked about on this episode:- AI Shift to Utility- AI Coding in the Enterprise- Outcomes Over Hours- Agents and Leadership- Hallucinations and Trust- Innovation vs Compliance- Infrastructure and Competitiveness- Choosing the Right Model- Testing and Lifecycle Planning- Insource vs Partner Ecosystem- Cutting Through AI Hype- Experimentation and ROIVisit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:• It’s 2026. Can Your AI spell ROI? https://ceoworld.biz/2026/02/08/its-2026-can-your-ai-spell-roi/ • OpenAI's acquisition of OpenClaw signals the beginning of the end of the ChatGPT era https://venturebeat.com/technology/openais-acquisition-of-openclaw-signals-the-beginning-of-the-end-of-the • Digital Employees, AI Bootcamps: America's Oldest Bank Is Spending Billions on Tech https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/09/digital-employees-ai-bootcamps-americas-oldest-bank-spends-billions-on-tech.html • Why trust is key with synthetic data in the agentic era https://www.fastcompany.com/91424016/why-trust-is-key-with-synthetic-data-in-the-agentic-era • House bill seeks AI workforce tax credits, agency-led outreach https://fedscoop.com/ai-workforce-tax-credit-house-bill/ Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, Brad Hairston talks with future of work expert Kelly Monahan, who explains how company leaders can do so much more to drive successful AI adoption and transform their workforce..What we discussed with Kelly:* Why most employees believe AI has actually increased their workload* What an effective AI upskilling program looks like* How to help employees achieve the expected productivity gains with AI* Measuring strategy, creativity, and innovation versus speed and efficiency* Human-powered leadership* The critical elements of AI governance frameworks* GenZ redefining what it means to have a career* A fundamental mindset shift AI leaders need to make* A preview of Kelly’s next book.Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. .News stories covered in this episode:.AI Doesn’t Reduce Work—It Intensifies It https://hbr.org/2026/02/ai-doesnt-reduce-work-it-intensifies-it .What We Actually Learned Deploying 20+ AI Agents Across Our Entire Go-To-Market (8 Months In) https://www.saastr.com/what-we-actually-learned-deploying-20-ai-agents-across-our-entire-go-to-market-8-months-in/ .Alphabet calls out new AI-related risks, as it taps debt market to fund build-out https://www.cnbc.com/2026/02/09/alphabet-highlights-new-ai-related-risks-in-tapping-debt-market.html .Claude Opus 4.6: This AI just passed the 'vending machine test' - and we may want to be worried about how it did https://news.sky.com/story/claude-opus-4-6-this-ai-just-passed-the-vending-machine-test-and-we-may-want-to-be-worried-about-how-it-did-13505451 .Olympic Figure Skaters Get Heat for Using AI-Generated Music https://gizmodo.com/olympic-figure-skaters-get-heat-for-using-ai-generated-music-2000720192 .Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

Anil Kumar, Managing Director and head of Private Equity AI at Alvarez & Marsal, applies AI to diligence, monitoring, and value creation. He recounts his path into AI leadership. The conversation covers AI-enabled diligence versus hype, a contact center case study, the first-mile vs last-mile framework, agentic monitoring with guardrails, and AI-driven shifts in investment theses.

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:• Microsoft’s AI Spend Is Starting To Spook Investors https://gizmodo.com/microsofts-ai-spend-is-starting-to-spook-investors-2000715208 • An Agent Revolt: Moltbook Is Not A Good Idea https://www.forbes.com/sites/amirhusain/2026/01/30/an-agent-revolt-moltbook-is-not-a-good-idea/ • 'It’s an awesome robot. It looks like a human. People could be easily confused that it’s a human' — Tesla exec on why Optimus 3 is a game changer https://www.techradar.com/computing/its-an-awesome-robot-it-looks-like-a-human-people-could-be-easily-confused-that-its-a-human-tesla-exec-on-why-optimus-3-is-a-game-changer • Elon Musk Merges SpaceX With His A.I. Start-Up xAI - Elon Musk Merges SpaceX With His A.I. Start-Up xAI - The New York Times• Google Deepmind pioneer David Silver departs to found AI startup, betting LLMs alone won't reach superintelligence https://the-decoder.com/google-deepmind-pioneer-david-silver-departs-to-found-ai-startup-betting-llms-alone-wont-reach-superintelligence/ • Manulife Canada Delivers Faster Life Insurance Approvals with AI Integration and Enhanced Digital Application - https://insurance-canada.ca/2026/01/30/manulife-faster-life-approvals-ai-application/ Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMXTo ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

In this episode, Brad Hairston talks with Daniel Jurow, Founder and Principal Advisor at Sevoir Group, a management consultancy focused on creative services, including agencies, studios and martech firms. Daniel explains how AI is disrupting creative businesses and the strategies being employed to excel in the new environment..What we discussed with Daniel:* AI adoption patterns across creative businesses* How AI is fundamentally changing the business model of creative and professional services businesses* Learnings from the collapse of Technicolor, the pioneer in cinematic color and visual storytelling* The biggest gap between what AI can do versus what organizations can actually absorb* How agencies and studios should restructure their revenue models in light of AI disruption * AI actor Tilly Norwood – good or bad for media & entertainment?* Indicators of whether AI will create or destroy value in a creative business* Operationalizing personalization at scale* What the Nike+ venture revealed about creative businesses and brands partnering with AI and automation companies.Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX.To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!