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The AI CEO with Seema Alexander

The AI CEO with Seema Alexander

By: Seema Alexander
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 The AI CEO Podcast Host: Seema Alexander, Co-founder & President of Virgent AI | Co-Chair, DC Startup & Tech Week AI isn't just another tool—it's the next frontier of business. The AI CEO Podcast explores the intersection of AI, business strategy, and leadership, equipping CEOs, founders, and executives with the insights they need to navigate and leverage AI effectively. Hosted by Seema Alexander, Co-founder & President of Virgent AI—a company specializing in AI-powered solutions and AI agents—this podcast goes beyond the hype to break down how AI is transforming industries, leadership, and innovation. As Co-Chair of DC Startup & Tech Week, Seema is at the forefront of AI-driven business evolution, helping companies move from AI-curious to AI-powered. Each episode features CEOs, founders, AI experts, and industry leaders sharing real-world strategies and case studies on: ✅ AI adoption and implementation for business growth ✅ AI agents, automation, and next-gen AI technologies ✅ How AI is shaping leadership and decision-making ✅ AI-driven innovation and competitive advantage ✅ Ethics, governance, and responsible AI use ✅ The future of work and workforce transformation ✅ AI investments, ROI, and scaling AI initiatives Powered by Virgent AI, The AI CEO Podcast is your go-to resource for staying ahead in the AI revolution. Subscribe now and redefine what's possible with AI! 🚀Produced by Legacy Sessions2023 Economics Leadership Management & Leadership
Episodes
  • AI's 'Dial-Up' Era: Hyperpersonalization, Sales & the Future of Marketing| The AI CEO Podcast

    AI's 'Dial-Up' Era: Hyperpersonalization, Sales & the Future of Marketing| The AI CEO Podcast
    Nov 2 2025

    AI is already transforming industries, but where are we really? According to Sean Makulowich, CEO of Ideaf Fire, we are still in the dial-up modem era of AI—and this is the weakest the technology will ever be.

    In this essential episode of The AI CEO Podcast, host Seema Alexander and Sean Makulowich dive deep into the one undeniable truth: You have to be really good at your job, or AI will begin to disrupt and replace you.

    Sean breaks down how to build an AI-Native marketing function from inception to execution, moving beyond "spammy" personalization attempts to achieve one-to-one precision. We discuss the critical role of the Transformer technology (which powers systems like ChatGPT), the measurable ROI from early AI adoption, and the immediate, low-cost strategy every CEO must implement to start actively listening to their customers now.

    In This Episode, You Will Learn:
    The Disruption Truth: Why repetitive, non-cognitive tasks in sales and marketing are the low-hanging fruit for automation and replacement.

    The AI-Native Blueprint: How to leverage massive data sets to build a marketing strategy focused on precision and hyperpersonalization.

    Beyond Generative AI: A simple explanation of Transformer technology and its role in powering Large Language Models (LLMs) like GPT and Gemini.

    The Sales Accelerator: How AI agents are accelerating the sales cycle by listening for previously subjective signals like intent, emotion, and gestures on sales calls.

    The Content Mandate: Why the sheer volume of "garbage" content means brands must create truly valuable, insightful content to survive market saturation.


    Timestamps -

    The One Truth About AI, Marketing & Sales - 02:29
    AI is Still in the 'Dial-Up' Era of Innovation - 08:34
    The Modern, AI-Native Marketing Function - 12:20
    Hyperpersonalization, Precision, and Data-Driven Decisions - 14:17
    Measurable ROI in 2019: The Sensei Inflection Point - 17:24
    Transformer Technology & LLMs Explained - 18:36
    Why Current Personalization is Still 'Spammy' and Fake - 22:17
    The Must-Have: A 24/7/365 Customer Feedback Loop - 24:52
    Automation: The Low-Hanging Fruit of Repetitive Tasks - 38:19
    Creating an AI Agent for Competitive Intelligence - 41:45
    AI Agents Accelerate the Sales Cycle (Intent/Emotion) - 01:04:52
    The Need for Valuable Content in a Saturated Market - 01:43:37


    #AIMarketing #AISales #Hyperpersonalization #FutureOfWork #AIStrategy

    Follow us on:

    Seema Alexander

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander/

    The AI CEO

    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaiceopodcast/?hl=en

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-ceo-podcast/


    Sean Makulowich :

    LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/seanmakulowich/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 49 mins
  • Brad Carson: The AI Action Plan Every CEO Must Know! | The AI CEO Podcast

    Brad Carson: The AI Action Plan Every CEO Must Know! | The AI CEO Podcast
    Oct 4 2025

    The AI CEO is a podcast where business leaders, entrepreneurs, and innovators uncover how artificial intelligence is transforming strategy, leadership, and growth. Each episode breaks down complex AI trends into clear insights, helping CEOs and decision-makers stay ahead in the age of disruption.

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    Guest: Brad Carson is a former U.S. Congressman, Under Secretary of the Army, and a thought leader in technology and public policy. He is now the President, Americans for Responsible Innovation in the beginning. With years of experience at the intersection of government, business, and emerging tech, Brad brings a unique perspective on how AI reshapes industries, regulation, and the future of work.

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    AI isn't just another tool — it's a turning point for business and society. In this episode of The AI CEO Podcast, Brad Carson breaks down the AI Action Plan, why the U.S. leads in AI, and how CEOs must adapt or risk being left behind.

    Timestamps:

    00:00 Welcome and Guest Introduction
    00:44 Discussing the AI Action Plan
    01:11 When AI Became the Biggest Turning Point
    02:27 America's Leadership in AI
    03:16 Three Key Things CEOs Must Understand
    03:59 AI as an Opportunity for Small Businesses
    04:37 The Urgency: Think AI or Be Consumed
    05:32 The Challenge of Education for CEOs
    06:44 Why You Must Spend Time on AI
    07:54 AI Will Be More Transformative Than Electricity
    09:05 Disruption in Industries (Life Insurance Example)
    10:02 Generative AI as the "Bounty" of the Industry
    11:05 Beyond Generative AI: Critical Thinking and Risk Bearing
    12:22 Privacy and Ethics in Predictive AI
    13:48 Data as Unique Intelligence
    14:40 Data as a Licensable Asset
    15:00 The Scarcity of Well-Curated Data
    17:19 Data Governance and Avoiding Discrimination
    18:33 The Power of Unstructured Data
    19:07 What is Synthetic Data?
    20:40 Trust and Verify with Data
    21:17 The 10-Year Moratorium on State AI Policy
    22:06 Why the Moratorium is a Bad Idea
    23:00 AI's Negative Implications (Deepfakes, Mental Health)
    24:43 Innovation Has Implications
    26:56 The Exponential Growth Trajectory
    27:55 The Business Responsibility to Act Responsibly
    29:43 Solving Business Problems, Not Just Talking AI
    34:09 AI Disruption in Interior Design
    35:33 The Enduring Value of Human Taste
    37:42 The "Messy Middle" and the Experience Gap
    41:26 The Innovator's Dilemma
    43:05 AI Democratizes Knowledge
    45:17 Historic Capital Investment in Data Centers
    46:39 AI's Net Impact on the Environment (Efficiency vs. Consumption)
    49:04 Concerns about an AI Data Center Bubble
    51:46 Lessons from the Social Dilemma
    52:51 The Risk of Tech Company Concentration
    54:03 The Political Ramifications of Automation and UBI
    58:11 The Need for Real Leadership and Reimagining the Business
    01:00:15 Case Study: A Company's Successful AI Transformation
    01:06:52 Managing a System of AI Agents
    01:07:54 New Jobs Are Coming (World Economic Forum)
    01:10:21 Personal Excitement: Transforming Education
    01:12:10 Advice for the Incoming College Freshman
    01:14:28 Advice for Graduates Facing Job Disruption
    01:17:44 Rethinking Curriculum: Oral Exams in Math and AI Literacy

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    Follow us on:
    Seema Alexander
    Disruptive AI -We Make Businesses Intelligent (www.getdisruptive.ai)
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander/

    The AI CEO
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaiceopodcast/?hl=en
    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-ceo-podcast/

    Brad Carson LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/in/brad-carson-82b8a253/
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 42 mins
  • $300M in 8 Months: The GenAI Bet They Said Would Never Work I Noelle Russell, CEO, AI Leadership Institute

    $300M in 8 Months: The GenAI Bet They Said Would Never Work I Noelle Russell, CEO, AI Leadership Institute
    Sep 22 2025
    $300M in 8 Months: The GenAI Bet They Said Would Never Work 🔥 SHOW NOTES: What if the AI project your exec team rejected went on to generate $300 million in revenue? In this powerful episode of The AI CEO Podcast, Noelle Russell — founder of the AI Leadership Institute and one of the original builders on Alexa — reveals how she went from pitching a GenAI idea nobody believed in... to leading one of the most profitable AI initiatives in the enterprise world. You'll learn why most leaders get AI adoption wrong, the hidden ROI of agents, and why every executive must stop treating AI like a tools problem — and start treating it like a power shift. ⏱ IN THIS EPISODE: (00:00) Intro: Welcome + "You might never hire another human again" (01:50) Meet Noelle Russell: From Alexa to Accenture to AI Leadership (13:16) $300M in GenAI Revenue — and Why Everyone Laughed at First (20:13) The Customer Service Transformation Story (23:23) Why Starting with Data is a Mistake (29:51) AI in Consulting: Automation and Sales Intelligence (31:59) AI in Health + Caregiving: Noelle's Personal Story (34:20) Precision Healthcare: DNA, Personalization, and AI (38:02) The Future of Retail: Aesthetic AI + AI Shopping Companions (42:53) The Speed of Adoption vs. Human Behavior (46:06) AI Agents: Why They're Not Your Teammates (52:01) Responsible AI: Governance, Red Teaming, and Security Risks (55:58) AI for Emerging Businesses: Why the Solo Unicorn is Real (01:04:33) The Infrastructure + Memory Layer of Future AI Systems (01:05:57) Training LLMs: The Challenges Most Leaders Overlook (01:08:51) Personalization, Agents, and AI Fluency for Execs (01:12:32) Future of AI: Agents + Emotional Intelligence (01:15:27) The Human Connection Advantage (01:25:43) Lightning Round with Noelle (01:33:17) Final Thoughts + Resources 🧠 WHAT YOU'LL LEARN: Why GenAI isn't about "tools" — it's about transforming decision-making. The mindset shift from "teammates" to zero-trust AI agents. How to build AI systems responsibly — without slowing innovation. What healthcare, retail, consulting, and founders can learn from this $300M case study. Why AI + human empathy is the secret weapon most companies are missing. 📌 KEY TAKEAWAYS: Don't start with data. Start with a real business problem worth solving. Your agents aren't teammates. They're untrusted contractors — treat them as such. Responsible AI = Security + Accuracy + Trust — not just a buzzword. The future of AI is human-amplifying, not human-replacing. 🔗 RESOURCES & LINKS: 📖 Scaling Responsible AI: From Enthusiasm to Execution 👉 Buy the book 🌐 Noelle Russell: • AI Leadership Institute • Noelle on LinkedIn 🌐 Seema Ponda Alexander — CEO & Founder of Disruptive AI: • Disruptive AI • LinkedIn • Instagram 🎧 Podcast production by EZPZ Podcasting ⭐️ LOVE THIS EPISODE? Leave us a rating & review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more leaders find the future
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 36 mins
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