AI Today Podcast

Sumathi Arcot, Project Director for Lean Agile Transformation at AstraZeneca focusing on AI in oncology. She discusses turning AI into governed product work with CPMAI. Talks cover aligning CPMAI to pharma compliance, prioritizing business and data understanding before building, and shifting project managers toward strategic, AI-literate leadership.

Ivonne Mejia, Lead Project Portfolio Manager at California State University who drives PMO consolidation and trustworthy AI practices. She discusses embedding CPMAI into intake and governance. Short takes cover starting with the right business question, iterative go/no-go decisions, stakeholder alignment, ethics across the lifecycle, and what AI-augmented project leadership could look like.

Michael Hyzy, VP of AI Strategy and Product Development at CGI, brings enterprise AI and governance experience. He discusses why treating AI like traditional software leads to stalled pilots. He explains CPMAI’s role in taming data uncertainty, shifting project manager mindsets, moving pilots into production, and preparing organizations for a future of AI agents and hybrid workforces.

Dr. Katrenia Reed Hughes, Associate Professor and director focused on project management education and equitable AI access. She discusses early AI exposure shaping confidence, integrating AI across curricula, key competencies like digital judgment, using AI to bridge school and work, and the role of mentorship, psychological safety, and representation in AI-powered learning.

Lee Lambert, a seasoned project management thought leader and PMI Fellow, shares insights from his impressive 60-year career. He discusses how AI will revolutionize project management in decision-making and risk management. Lambert argues that while AI enhances efficiency, the human touch—particularly power skills like communication and empathy—remains crucial. He emphasizes that integrating AI concepts into the PMP certification is essential. Listeners can expect practical advice on navigating the evolving landscape of project management.

Ashima Sharma, Founding Partner of Ayuka Consulting, brings a wealth of experience in data analytics and AI strategy. She discusses the crucial need for operationally ready data and cross-functional teams for successful AI adoption. Ashima highlights how AI can transform project management, enhancing decision-making and personalizing learning experiences. She addresses common fears surrounding AI and emphasizes the human-centered approach necessary for ethical and effective implementation, showcasing AI as a partner in innovation.

Chris Caldwell, CEO of Concentrix with over 20 years in the industry, discusses the transformative power of AI in customer experience. He highlights how trust and transparency are essential for effective AI adoption and how hyper-personalization creates individualized customer interactions. Caldwell shares insights on balancing personalization with privacy and explains the necessity of a culture of experimentation in AI projects. Real-world examples illustrate how timely, data-driven recommendations enhance customer engagement and retention.

Fred Laluyaux, Co-founder and CEO of Aera Technology, dives into the transformative power of decision intelligence in enterprises. He discusses the accelerated pace and complexity of decision-making in businesses today. Laluyaux emphasizes the significance of 'learning by doing' for successful AI adoption and highlights the emergence of decision architects. The conversation touches on the future of work, revealing how AI can streamline operations, reshape roles, and enhance efficiency in organizations.

Jason Little, founder of Lean Change Inc. and a thought leader in Lean Change Management, shares insights on how AI is transforming leadership in change management. He discusses the inadequacies of traditional change frameworks in the face of rapid AI development. Jason introduces the concept of 'experiment bots' as new change agents and emphasizes the importance of failure as a learning opportunity. He also explores the significance of prompt literacy, critical thinking, and the evolving roles of change agents in an AI-driven workplace.

Anu Smalley, an experienced enterprise agile coach and founder of Kapala Consulting, dives into integrating AI tools within Agile teams. She emphasizes the importance of empathy and psychological safety as AI becomes part of workflows. Anu shares insights on avoiding the pitfalls of automating without proper stakeholder consultation and advocates for small, iterative experiments to ease AI adoption anxieties. Real-life stories illustrate the human-centric approach needed in navigating AI-driven change, highlighting that AI should enhance, not replace, the human element in teams.