Exploring Leadership and AI with Anand Tharanathan

In this engaging episode of our podcast, we delve into the world of leadership and Artificial Intelligence with Anand Tharanathan, GVP of Product Research and Insights at ServiceNow. Anand shares his journey from an individual contributor to a leadership role, emphasizing the importance of empathy, mentorship, and learning from failure. He discusses his unique perspective on leadership drawn from his experiences in sports and how this has influenced his professional growth.

Anand also provides insights into the rapidly evolving field of AI, comparing it with human automation and highlighting the importance of keeping the human element in the loop. He addresses the challenges and nuances of designing AI systems that enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. Additionally, Anand discusses how to strike a balance between being product-centric and people-centric, and the crucial role of adaptability in navigating technological advancements.

Towards the end of the conversation, Anand outlines a framework for effectively using AI and advises on avoiding common pitfalls when integrating AI into new products. This episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in leadership, AI, and the future of technology. Join us and gain valuable insights from industry experts!

Guest - Anand Tharanathan, GVP of Product Research and Insights at ServiceNow
Guest Host - Apurva Korde

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome
00:24 Discussing UX Research and AI
01:18 Leadership Journey and Insights
03:45 The Role of Mentors and Managers
09:59 Design Leadership vs. Conventional Leadership
13:56 Balancing Product and People-Centric Leadership
17:55 Adapting to Rapid Technological Changes
18:56 Navigating the AI Revolution
19:14 Staying Calm and Curious in the AI Era
20:45 Insights from a Tech Leader on AI
21:42 Designing Human-Centric AI Experiences
26:32 The Importance of Human in the Loop
31:24 Frameworks for AI Use and Misuse
34:25 Building AI-Powered Products
36:37 Balancing AI and Business Goals
38:45 Concluding Thoughts on AI

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In this episode of the podcast, host Bobby Brill takes a break from hosting duties and introduces Shruti Shrivastava, Director of UX Research at ServiceNow in Bangalore, India. Shruti takes the reigns for this episode and interviews Averria Martin, Senior Director, UX Research. The conversation covers a range of topics including the application of AI in research, internal mobility at ServiceNow, and effective leadership strategies. Averria shares her personal and professional experiences, emphasizing the importance of work-life balance, growth mindset, and fostering a collaborative culture. The episode also highlights practical advice for transitioning from IC roles to leadership and the value of internal mobility and user-centric approaches in research.

Guest - Averria Martin, Senior Director, UX Research
Guest Host - Shruti Shrivastava, Director of UX Research

00:00 Introduction and Guest Introduction
00:13 Meet Shruti Shrivastava
01:10 Insights on AI in Research
01:51 Interview with Averria Martin
04:48 Work-Life Balance Tips
06:53 Career Advice for Researchers
09:27 Internal Mobility and Culture at ServiceNow
12:47 AI and Research Technologies
18:20 Collaboration and Leadership
26:04 Final Thoughts and Conclusion

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Sitting down with Amrutha Ramesh, visiting researcher at ServiceNow one of the minds behind Agent Ada, a data-focused AI agent, in the latest episode of the podcast. We talk about the gap in enterprise workflows: you upload data, ask questions, and expect clear, data-backed insights… but traditional LLMs weren’t designed for that.

Amrutha clarifies the distinction by explaining how Agent Ada surpasses merely inputting a dataset into ChatGPT or Gemini, employing personas and a library of reusable skills to analyze data in a more human-like manner. We also dig into turning raw analysis into a story and, most importantly, into actionable steps that people in the business can actually use.

Guest - Amrutha Ramesh
Host - Bobby Brill

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