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/

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/

Why Most AI Projects Fail w/ Uviks Sharma & Padmini Soni


📌Make sure to check out Asian Women Advancing AI https://awaai.org/

In this week's episode of the AI CEO podcast, host Seema Alexander sits down with AI leaders Padmini Soni and Uvika Sharma to explore the multifaceted world of AI adoption, responsible AI development, and cultural inclusivity in AI.

Padmini and Uvika, co-founders of the Asian Women Advancing AI community and leaders at the AI Leadership Institute, share insights from their extensive experience advising Fortune 500 companies and startups. They discuss the critical need for AI models that embrace global cultural nuances, the challenges of aligning AI strategies with business goals, and the importance of trust in AI-human interaction.

The conversation delves into practical adoption hurdles such as data silos, change management, and the emerging roles AI literacy and education play for both employees and the next generation.

The episode also touches on innovative AI use cases including predictive analytics, conversational agents, mental health applications, and preserving lost languages. As AI shapes the future of work and society, they emphasize the value of collaboration between humans and AI, responsible stewardship, and fostering inclusive, diverse AI ecosystems.

Key takeaways

AI adoption must align with clear business goals and include cross-functional teams early for effective change management.

Responsible AI requires cultural inclusivity to build trust and deliver relevant, human-centered solutions worldwide.

Data readiness and governance are foundational to AI success; treating data as a well-maintained product prevents data chaos.

AI literacy across organizational levels and age groups is essential to harness AI's benefits while mitigating risks.

👉 In this episode

(00:00) Introduction

(01:35) Welcome to the AI CEO Podcast

(02:37) Meet the Guests

(05:58) The Importance of Trust in AI

(12:13) Challenges in AI Adoption

(22:19) The Future of AI: Predictions and Concerns

(44:23) Opportunities for Entrepreneurs in AI

(44:54) AI Training on Finished vs. Unfinished Code

(46:27) The Importance of Data in AI

(48:31) Data Governance and Integration

(54:38) AI Literacy and Workforce Upskilling

(01:00:00) AI in Education and Critical Thinking

(01:06:13) Challenges of AI in the Workplace

(01:12:02) Future of AI and Robotics

(01:12:32) Rapid Fire Questions and Closing Remarks


🌎Reach out to Padmini and Uvika

🌎Reach out to Padmini and Uvika Padmini Soni
➛LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/padminisoni-ai
➛Founder of Rezonance AI
➛Head of Responsible AI Growth at the AI Leadership Institute ➛Asian Women Advancing AI community co-founder

Uvika Sharma ➛LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/uvika-sharma
➛AI & Data Strategist, Founder of Asian Women Advancing AI
➛AI 2030

🌎Reach out to Seema Ponda Alexander ➛CEO, Disruptive AI ➛Host, AI CEO Podcast ➛Managing Partner and Founder, AIBusinessCon (April 26)
➛Disruptive CEO Advisory https://www.disruptive.ceo/ LinkedIN: ➛https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander
➛IG: https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander/?hl=en

Love this episode!! Subscribe!

🎤 Podcast Studio: Legacy Sessions (DC)
🎤 Podcast post-production EZPZ Podcasting

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #FutureOfWork #AILeadership #ResponsibleAI #AIInBusiness #AIAdoption #AIInnovation #AITrust #AILiteracy #InclusiveAI #WomenInAI

From "Black Box" to Business Breakthroughs: Sid Banerjee on AI, Customer Experience & The Future of Agency

DESCRIPTION:
What happens when a billion-dollar founder who was building "AI" before it was even a buzzword sits down to talk about where it's all headed?

In this episode of The AI CEO Podcast, host Seema Alexander welcomes Sid Banerjee—founder of Clarabridge (acquired for $1B), former Chief Strategy Officer at Medallia, and Board Chair of Prolific—to unpack the future of customer experience, the rise of agentic AI, and the leadership mindset shifts every CEO will need to make.

Sid reveals why AI today still operates like a "black box" and why transparency, data stitching, and multi-tech collaboration will define the next era. He shares the aha moment that changed how he saw AgTech, and why giving AI "true agency" could fundamentally reshape entire industries.

But this isn't just about technology—it's about responsibility. Sid warns of AI's dual-edged nature: its ability to increase profitability and efficiency, but also its potential to erode human connection or enable addictive, harmful experiences.

From real-world Clarabridge case studies to the coming bot-to-bot economy, and from personalized hospitality experiences to why governance can't wait 10 years, this conversation is a masterclass in building with foresight, precision, and impact.

You'll learn:

• Why AI customer experiences still "suck" and how to fix them

• The difference between tasks, to-dos, and true agentic action

• How to move from lagging metrics to leading indicators in CX

• The 4-part ROI framework for AI adoption

• When AI adoption will actually cross the chasm—and where first

TIMESTAMPS:
00:00 Intro
01:47 Meet Sid Banerjee
04:39 Why customer experience is still broken
10:45 The role of agentic AI
13:44 Clarabridge: Building before the AI hype
23:26 AI's evolution in business
35:08 Precision + personalization in decision-making
38:25 The future of hospitality and personalization
41:23 Mattel, OpenAI & the ethics of AI in toys
45:14 Why AI governance can't wait
50:39 Data privacy & security
55:03 The ROI framework for AI projects
58:44 Future predictions & rapid fire

Connect with Sid:
LinkedIn: Sid Banerjee
Medallia: Sid's Author Page

Connect with Seema:
Virgent AI: virgent.ai
Disruptive CEO Advisory: disruptive.ceo
LinkedIn: Seema Alexander
Instagram: @seemaalexander

🎧 Loved this episode? Leave a review on Apple Podcasts — it helps more leaders discover conversations like this.

Production Studio: Legacy Sessions

Is this the end of work as we know it? Or the beginning of a new kind of freedom?

In this provocative episode of The AI CEO Podcast, host Seema Alexander sits down with Catherine McMillan, founding director of the AI Collective — a global grassroots movement redefining the role of humans in the age of AI.

What started in a living room is now a 70,000+ member movement across 25 cities and 7 countries, united by one mission: to center humanity in the AI revolution.

Together, Seema and Catherine unpack:

• The moment Catherine knew ChatGPT was the "end of work as we know it"

• Why today's students feel betrayed by traditional career paths

• How AI is erasing critical thinking — and what we must protect

• Why "taste, agency, and relationships" will define the next generation of leaders

• The real reason we need a new education system NOW

This episode will challenge how you think about the future of work, technology, and your own role in shaping it.

👇 Whether you're a founder, policymaker, or just AI-curious — don't miss this one.

• How AI is quietly collapsing traditional white-collar paths

• Why "digital natives" see this as the next civil rights movement

• The 3 human traits that AI can't replace — and how to sharpen them

• How grassroots AI communities like AI Collective are shaping global policy and innovation

• (00:00) Intro & setup

• (01:54) Who is Catherine McMillan?

• (04:30) Origin of the AI Collective (70K members globally)

• (10:55) The moment ChatGPT changed everything

• (21:56) Why taste, agency, and human connection matter more than ever

• (28:00) Education, creativity, and what we're doing wrong

• (43:15) Why this isn't just tech — it's a humanity mission

Catherine McMillan
🌐 AI Collective
🔗 LinkedIn

Seema Alexander
AI is Rewriting Business. I Work with CEOs Who Refuse to Be Disrupted—Ready to Lead in the AI Era. I speak, educate and build AI solutions to accelerate AI Adoption in businesses and industry safely and responsibily.

🌐 Host, The AI CEO Podcast
📈 Disruptive CEO Advisory
📲 LinkedIn
📸 Instagram

🎧 Like what you hear?
📩 Subscribe for future episodes
🌟 Leave a rating + review on Apple Podcasts
📢 Share this with a founder or business leader who needs to hear it

⚠️ If you think legal can wait until launch—you're already behind.

In this episode of The AI CEO, I sat down with powerhouse attorneys Ambur Smith (Founder, Ambur Smith Law) and Cameron Powell (Founding Partner, Deep Law) for a no-BS conversation on the legal landmines, ethical dilemmas, and massive opportunities AI is creating across startups, scaleups, and enterprise.

We unpacked:
• Why "automating innovation" can easily become "automating liability"
• The IP, contract, and privacy red flags that kill valuation at due diligence
• Why GenAI isn't exempt from copyright—and what the courts actually look at
• The myth of the AI-free workplace (spoiler: shadow AI is everywhere)
• How to actually mitigate risk using AI as a legal tool (and yes—some lawyers use GPT in court)
• What happens when an AI chatbot misquotes company policy in front of a judge 👀
• The biggest legal edge for founders in 2025 (hint: audit trail = valuation moat)

Whether you're a tech CEO, in-house counsel, or just trying to stay out of the headlines—this one's essential.

(00:00) Introduction to the AI CEO Podcast
(02:09) Meet the Expert Guests: ambur Smith and Cameron Powell
(03:30) Legal Dynamics and AI
(08:36) AI in Legal Practice: Tools and Trust
(19:58) Challenges and Responsibilities in AI Adoption
(45:11) Understanding AI in Legal Practice
(46:03) Diverse Perspectives in Law and Technology
(47:54) Use Cases: Successes and Failures
(48:22) Risk Hierarchy and AI Implementation
(50:38) Guardrails and Legal Research Tools
(51:50) AI in Marketing and Real Estate
(53:32) Innovations in Regulated Industries
(55:30) Data Privacy and Ethical Considerations
(57:54) Navigating Legal Risks in AI
(01:13:25) The Future of AI in Legal Representation
(01:20:29) Rapid Fire Questions and Final Thoughts

Liability-as-a-Service – Without legal vetting, your AI product isn't a SaaS. It's a ticking time bomb.
Copyright ≠ AI Immunity – If your content was auto-generated, you may not own it—and can't enforce it.
Red Line Rule – If you didn't revise the AI's draft, you may not hold the copyright.
Shadow AI Is Real – Banning AI tools doesn't stop your team from using them (secretly).
Trust, but Verify – From discovery tools to ChatGPT, the best lawyers use AI—just not blindly.
Generalist Advantage – The most valuable legal minds are those who blend tech, product, and policy fluency.

• Ambur Smith Law – https://ambursmithlaw.com
• Deep Law (Cameron Powell) – [Insert Link]
• Virgent AI (show sponsor) – https://virgent.ai
• Seema Alexander – https://www.linkedin.com/in/seemaalexander

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/seemaalexander
Newsletter + consulting – https://www.disruptive.ceo/

Smash the like button. Tap 5 stars on Apple Podcasts.
Share this episode with someone launching an AI product today—before the lawsuits hit tomorrow.