hello, Human.

Today, Jon Knisley (the host of hello, Human and a long-time technologist helping companies adopt and utilize emerging digital solutions) talks with Matt Gustitus, the founder and lead advisor at Digital Workforce Solution. In today's healthcare ecosystem, every health system, hospital, and physician is being asked to do more with less. Healthcare providers face increasing pressure to manage revenue, optimize utilization, and reduce costs. At the same time, they are being asked to prevent illness, optimize care, and improve patient outcomes. Fortunately, new technologies are providing a lifeline. It is estimated that AI applications can cut annual US healthcare costs by $150 billion in 2026. A large part of these cost reductions stems from changing the healthcare model from a reactive to a proactive approach, focusing on health management rather than disease treatment. A big thanks to FortressIQ for sponsoring the program and be sure to hit the subscribe button whenever you listen to podcasts. Talking Points: What is Digital Workforce Solution and what is their mission? How we can leverage technology in health care The current state of AI adoption in the health care sector Is AI adoption helping simplify the “easy things” as well as the “big shiny” objects? The top three opportunities for AI to impact healthcare in the next few years The big challenges that may slow the adoption of AI in the health sector The model that works best for adopting AI The impact of ethics and explainable AI in healthcare Resources/Links: Digital Workforce Solution FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Today, Jon Knisley (the host of hello, Human and a long-time technologist helping companies adopt and utilize emerging digital solutions) talks with Max Vicino, the director for AI, IoT, and automation at Avanade about this episode’s topic: citizen services powered by AI. The technology’s enormous disruptive potential is not limited to the private sector. Citizen services powered by AI and machine learning help make welfare payments, speed immigration decisions, detect fraud, improve veterans’ care, and much more. Max gives us his perspective and insight on the exciting uses and future of AI for citizen services and the public sector. He dives into both the opportunities as well as the challenges that may slow the adoption of AI. A big thanks to FortressIQ for sponsoring the program and be sure to hit the subscribe button whenever you listen to podcasts. Talking Points: The background behind Avanade and Max’s role at Avanade The current state of AI adoption in the public sector State/local organizations’ flexibility to experimenting with technology Opportunities for AI to impact citizen services in the next few years Challenges that may slow the adoption of AI Closing the gap and driving more applied AI programs to the public sector Ethics and explainable AI in the public sector Resources/Links: Avanade FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Today, Jon Knisley, the host of hello, Human and a long-time technologist helping companies adopt and utilize emerging digital solutions, talks with Tara Robinson, the founder and product marketing manager for TrackRacks, an all-in-one management service for fashion companies, which uses product recognition to revolutionize sample trafficking. Fashion is one of the biggest global industries. Revenues in the apparel market are expected to reach two trillion dollars by the year 2025. While you might not think of fashion first when you think of artificial intelligence, people like Tara are changing that every day. Like any other business, the fashion industry is quickly turning to AI to make their companies more efficient, predict the future of the industry, and can replace marketing aspects like photoshoots. As an industry leader, Tara shares her insight and knowledge of the fashion industry as well as AI development in order to give us a unique take on what AI can and will do for the fashion industry. A big thanks to FortressIQ for sponsoring the program and be sure to hit the subscribe button whenever you listen to podcasts. Talking Points: Tara’s journey into the fashion industry How Tara used automation to fix a problem in the fashion industry The changes that the fashion industry had to make because of the pandemic Technological trends to look out for in the future of fashion Building a tech-based company without the technological background How TrackRacks will expand in the future What Tara finds exciting about AI and the fashion industry How AI and tech can help eliminate the waste from apparel and fashion Resources/Links: Tara Robinson, LinkedIn TrackRacks FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Today, Jon Knisley (the host of hello, Human and a long-time technologist helping companies adopt and utilize emerging digital solutions) talks with Jessica Zych, the Vice-President for Strategic Partnerships at FortyOak, the go-to firm for talent first automation strategy. Jessica, like Jon, keeps an optimistic perspective on the human and robot/AI partnership in the future, where both humans and AI can work together. Today, through her optimistic lens, she shares her opinions on the increase of AI adoption in the HR talent space, how to create a high-performance automation team, and what the future holds for the hybrid workforce. The Great Resignation is here and it's real. The last several months have seen a tidal wave of resignations. Job transitions among Gen Z are up 80% year-over-year, and they're up by 50% for millennials. To help handle the uptick in transitions, AI-enabled technology solutions are delivering productivity, efficiency, and accuracy to the traditionally human-centered process. Using AI frees up recruiting teams to spend more time on the work that humans are best equipped to handle: conducting phone screens, building relationships, compiling offers, and guiding stakeholders through the process. AI can be deployed to simplify interview scheduling, screen resumes, and identify passive candidates. At the end of the day, AI is helping companies hire better and faster. A big thanks to FortressIQ for sponsoring the program and be sure to hit the subscribe button whenever you listen to podcasts. Talking Points: The elevator pitch on FortyOak Jessica’s AI background and her journey to FortyOak How companies are infusing AI into their business processes The increase in adoption in the HR talent space The importance of monitoring and eliminating the bias in AI output Process and technology considerations for recruiting The recipe for creating a high-performance automation team Jessica’s vision for the future of the digital workforce Resources/Links: FortyOak FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Surbhi Rathore is the CEO and the co-founder of Symbl.ai, a leader in conversation intelligence. Today on the hello, Human podcast, Surbhi and host Jon Knisley talk about the latest news and future surrounding conversation intelligence. Conversation intelligence provides businesses with meaningful and actionable insights directly from the voice of customers as well as employees, in order to understand and predict behavior. It also allows us to measure and optimize marketing performance, detect correct call handling issues, and deliver more personalized and relevant experiences online and over the phone. Because of conversational intelligence, managers and employees can have more time to handle the analysis instead of spending all of the time gathering the data. Talking Points: Surbhi’s background and the start of Symbl.ai Surbhi’s experience as a woman in AI How women can get into data science The difference between intelligent voice automation and conversation intelligence Symbl’s approach to the market Measuring conversational intelligence How Symbl can be used within different industries The shifting of more remote work and how that has been beneficial to Symbl What is the big data problem? What excites Surbhi about AI Resources/Links: Symbol.io FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Food delivery robots are just one of the many examples of artificial intelligence applications in the food industry. Robot-powered Zume Pizza, valued at almost $4 billion, was one of the first of Derek Pietz’s projects in the food and restaurant industry. With a background in hardware, he started his own company- L2Fwhich built custom equipment to help businesses in the food and beverage space automate, which included building robots too. Now he’s making an impact as the VP of Automation at Hyphen Technologies (Formerly Ono Food Co.) where he’s crafting productivity tools for restaurants, analyzing restaurant data, and building robotic appliances. Labor shortages in the food and beverage industry are nothing new, but after a global pandemic, the industry was hit harder than ever. Foodservice organizations are turning to automation and robotic solutions to help conquer labor shortages and enhance food safety. Utilizing automation alongside employees can streamline processes, including production, assembly, quality control, and reporting. The time and labor saved allows for individuals to focus on cognitively challenging tasks and hospitality, while redundant work is mastered by a machine. Talking Points: Derek’s background as a mechanical engineer and how it led into the food and beverage industry How the power of AI has been utilized in the food and beverage space L2F’s mission and purpose How automation may play a larger role in the food and beverage industry Hyphen and how it is saving the industry Leveraging technology to let people focus on the human aspect Artificial intelligence versus machine intelligence What excites Derek about the future of AI in the food and beverage industry Resources/Links: UseHyphen.com FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Marketing and sales have transformed over the years. What was once cold calling and email drip, has transformed into chat bots that engage with customers all across the world. In this episode of hello, Human, we will be diving deep into the application of AI into sales and marketing. Today we’re talking with Anu Shukla about the history, the implications, and the ethics involved in AI integration into marketing strategies. Anu is a four-time CEO and founder with two exits to date over $300 million. Co-Founder and executive chairman of Botco.Ai, Anu Shukla, is an industry pioneer in the marketing automation space. She’s an industry expert and is transforming the way businesses communicate with their new and existing customers. Analyzing conversations, learning about a business; processes, and understanding a customer wants and needs is the very base of successful marketing automation. Talking Points: Anu’s background and journey into technology The transformation of AI in marketing and where it is going How Botco.ai is using and applying data and AI to create intelligent chat solutions Automation is an enabler and not a destroyer of the workforce Anu’s involvement with Elevate VC What excited Anu about AI in marketing and beyond Anu’s advice for the next generation of leaders Resources/Links: Botco.Ai FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Today, Jon Knisley, the host of hello, Human and a long-time technologist helping companies adopt and utilize emerging digital solutions, talks with Pankaj Chowdhry, the founder and CEO at FortressIQ. They discuss the latest topics in artificial intelligence and how it’s being applied in the real world. Specifically we are going to explore and uncover the mystery of data. How are businesses using their data? How do you do so effectively? In what ways can organizations keep up with all of this constantly evolving technology? We are fortunate to have a true industry leader give us his perspective and insight on capturing and unlocking process data, and ultimately decoding work. In addition to being the founder and CEO of FortressIQ, Pankaj also kicked off the artificial intelligence center of excellence at Genpact. Before that, he was the CEO of ThirdPillar systems, where he designed and delivered lending platforms for commercial banks, processing billions of dollars in transactions. For a while now, companies have looked to better leverage their data. It's not surprising because we know that data-driven organizations win in the market and outperform their peers, but companies are awash in data. Tons of information is available, from CRM systems regarding customers, to ERP applications providing insight on financial practices, to security sources helping us prevent cyber attacks. Today Pankaj talks about how organizations can use data to more effectively determine the cause of their problems and how to best operate. A big thanks to FortressIQ for sponsoring the program and be sure to hit the subscribe button whenever you listen to podcasts. Talking Points: How FortressIQ has impacted or adjusted shifts in data usage trends Examples of counterintuitive data Discovery process intelligence discovery and traditional process mining technology Uncovering more data and operations to alleviate challenges and help programs scale across an enterprise Defining decoding and how that adds value to an enterprise Tackling operational excellence by decoding work How organizations keep up with constantly evolving technology Resources/Links: FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Welcome to the second season of the hello human podcast, where we're going to discuss the latest topics in artificial intelligence and how it's being applied in the real world. A special thanks to fortress IQ for their continued sponsorship of the show. My name is John Knisley, and I am back for season two as your host of the hello human podcast. This season, we are going to be talking with the leading practitioners of AI solutions that are having a real impact. Each episode, we'll explore a specific industry, upcoming sessions, tech, everything from healthcare providers and corporate security to luxury, fashion, and quick serve restaurants. Every industry is unique in AI is having a material impact on every one of them. So settle in for another season of hello human and hear what the leading voices in AI are working on today and predict for tomorrow. Subscribe anywhere you listen to podcasts. Welcome back humans. And thanks for listening.

Today’s focus is all about human intelligence versus machine intelligence. Our guest, Dr. Yael Gold-Zamir is the CEO of Embryonics, gives us a unique insight on this topic. Embryonics focuses on developing and applying data-driven solutions to improve the success rates and the journey of fertility treatments. Computers have always been superior to humans when it comes to computational-heavy work. Our brains are simply not wired to handle as much data as a computer. As humans, our domain has always been judgement dependent expert decision-making. But that gap is narrowing. Computers have been out-performing humans in various fields for a number of years. Embyonics is just one of those examples. Embryonics technology out-performed a panel of embryologists in predicting which embryos would result in pregnancy by over 20%. According to their website and backed by the countless lives they’ve changed, their algorithm boasts a 12% increase of positive predictive value and a 29% increase of negative predictive value. In today’s episode, host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Dr. Yael Gold-Zamir about the use of AI in the medical field, specifically in IVF. How has AI helped the field of fertility? How can you use AI in the medical field to change lives for the better? Dr. Yael Gold-Zamir shares her passion for medicine, her story of being the first woman in her community to get a medical degree, what it taught her, and her advice to women who want to go into the ever-evolving world of technology and AI. Talking Points: Dr. Yael Gold-Zamir’s journey into the medical field, specifically IVF The importance of experience versus data Where can we get the best outcome: human diagnosis, AI diagnosis, or a combination of both? How to avoid bias within the industry The decision to build and run Embryonics Using AI to better the lives of women and their families What does the future of AI look like? Advice for the next generation of women in AI and technology Resources/Links: Yael Gold-Zamir, LinkedIn Embryonics “Data-Driven Prediction of Embryo-Implantation Probability Using IVF Time-lapse Imaging” FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

A framework for AI that leads to successful outcomes includes proper governance, thoughtfully conceived processes based on input from affected stakeholders, and transparency about AI’s role in decision making. Responsible AI represents this comprehensive approach. To achieve it, governments must empower leadership and use AI to enhance human decision making—not replace it. A Responsible AI approach should include regular reviews, integration with standard tools and data models, and a plan for potential lapses. In today’s episode, host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging digital solutions, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Kathy McNeill the director of artificial intelligence at the GSA’s Technology Transformation Center of Excellence. Kathy dives into the role of proper governance in AI, automation, and technology in order for tech to remain true to the desired outcome it was originally designed for. She also talks about the challenges she has seen in the industry and her advice for women who want to have a tech career. Kathy also shares why passion and being technically-curious is important and how to be a participant and a life learner in the industry. Talking Points: The critical role that GSA plays in the government’s overall operations in technology leadership Kathy’s role as the the director of artificial intelligence at the GSA’s Technology Transformation Center of Excellence Kathy’s biggest challenges and lessons from the industry and about how the government is changing and adapting to different constituencies Advice for women interested in a career in technology, in the public sector Kathy’s journey into the tech industry The current state of AI adoption and governance “The Missing Middle” and how to close the gap How to ensure that programs have the right checks and balances in place for responsible AI ethics Resources/Links: GSA: Technology Jon’s LinkedIn post about the state of Federal RPA Report FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Some estimates put the number of unfilled tech jobs at more than one million, yet women hold fewer than 25% of all technology jobs. There are a number of reasons women are under-represented in the sector: gender bias, a lack of information about the potential for STEM careers early in a girl’s education, a shortage of female mentors, company cultures that don’t adequately support women technologists and more. However, the bottom line is that not enough women are pursuing careers in tech. Fortunately, times are changing, and some companies are taking steps to attract more women employees by addressing pay gaps, offering flexible work policies and implementing programs to help women employees thrive. In today’s episode, host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, Grace Chen from FortressIQ, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Tripti Sethi, the Senior Director and Global Data & AI COE Lead at Avanade. Grace, Elizabeth, and Tripti discuss Tripti’s career journey, her insights in the future of AI, how businesses can change the industry in a positive way, and her advice for women who want to go into the field of tech and AI. Tripti brings her unique take and expertise in the topics of business and technology and how they go hand-in-hand, as well as her experiences being a woman in the industry. Talking Points: Tripti’s journey from her interest in mechanical engineering to a career in tech Her story as the first data scientist hired at Avanade How companies’ business goals have shifted around the intention of using AI The positive changes in the industry Areas which will be best fit to change in the next few years due to the use of AI How the future roles in AI are changing Advice for those interested in going into the field of AI What companies can do to drive positive change within their own company and in the industry Resources/Links: Avanade FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

The next generation of AI-powered products and services has the potential to transform every aspect of the health sector. From accelerated drug discovery through biophysical modeling to improved diagnostic accuracy in medical imaging to smart claims management with self-learning software, no corner of the $10 trillion global health industry will remain untouched. Someday consumer-facing apps may become so advanced that they are able to provide affordable healthcare services to billions of people globally with limited access to traditional services. But these advances do not come without risks, as biases in AI raise ethical concerns and present health risks to patients and financial risks to providers and payers. Today’s guest is the brilliant Zahra Timsah. Zahra has a multitude of professional and academic achievements including a Masters in MBA, and PhDs in Advanced Molecular Biology and Cancer Biology. Zahra is the lead for AI Governance at MassMutual, the Co-Founder and COO/CTO of Assurance Medication Management, Inc, as well as the CEO of AMCL. In today’s episode, host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Zahra about the importance of AI in the healthcare industry. They also touch on the ethical risks in having AI advancement in this field, and the best practices to assure that the proper AI governance is in place. Talking Points: Highlights in Zahra’s professional and academic career Zahra’s experience integrated AI into the drug discovery process Other opportunities in the medical field where AI can solve other challenges How Zahra turned her fascination with AI into a career Advice for people who have a passion, but are unsure as to whether or not the passion will lead to a successful career Best practices for ethics and AI governance Zahra’s role in Mass Mutual Advice for the next generation for women in AI Resources/Links: Zahra Timsah (MBA, PhD, MSc, BSc), LinkedIn FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

From Fortune 500 stalwarts to Silicon Valley startups, gender equity has been a challenge for generations. But today despite universal agreement that a fix is overdue, not much has been done to actually move the needle. Because the workplace was not designed to value women, we need to change the ways we make decisions and evaluate talent to truly address the problem, and technology can be an accelerator. Using AI and natural language processing, software can identify bias in performance evaluations and point organizations toward making better decisions about promotions and new opportunities for employees. It’s more than just an issue of fairness for companies to act. For every 10% increase in gender equity toward parity, there is a 1% to 2% increase in revenue. In this episode in our series about women in AI, Katica Roy of Pipeline Equity discusses the topic of gender equity and the necessary changes that need to occur in our mindsets as well as business practices. She discusses specific issues of inequality (including the Motherhood Penalty), by sharing her professional experiences and by comparing statistics from the past few years. Katica talks about how her experience as a single mother, a first-generation American, and her various professional interactions have molded her vision of equality within the workplace. Our discussion also touches on Pipeline Equity, the 2020 Retrospective Report, and the trends that Katica has seen in the labor force participation rate of women. Women throughout history have seen sexism in the workforce, whether it has to do with opportunities, differences in pay, or in direct treatment. Katica and Pipeline Equity work hard to make sure that these current trends and statistics are coming to light because having the conversation is the first step to fixing the problem. Talking Points: Katica’s experience with sexism in the workplace How Katica’s background shaped how she views equality and her values Why Katica founded Pipeline Equity Analyzing the 2020 retrospective report about gender equity The setbacks from the pandemic and the economic consequences due to those setbacks Men’s mental health in 2020 The importance of destigmatizing mental health Katica’s advice on where to start advocating and learning about gender equity How to get involved How Katica balances being involved and running a company What is The Motherhood Penalty? Resources/Links: Pipeline Equity Katica Roy official website The 2021

Today’s guest on hello, Human is global citizen Beatrice Zatorska, the CEO & Cofounder Smart Tribe. Smart Tribe is a platform where people from the world of academia and experts in the industry world can come together in order to collaborate. Collaboration is just the starting point when it comes to solving solutions. This is one of the reasons why open office settings work so well. People in different fields and from different departments can get together to offer new insights and perspectives on problems. In today’s episode, host and long-time technologist, Jon Knisley, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Beatrice Zatorska about the importance of building an impactful network between your work, life, and career and how building that network is attainable for everyone, not just for the outgoing. Beatrice also talks about her vision and goal for Smart Tribe, her advice for the next generation of women in AI and tech, and how her eclectic background has helped her develop Smart Tribe. Building and developing a high-impact network is a critical factor in long-term professional success. It is even more important in today's hyper-connected world. Networking success requires equal parts of will and skill. Contrary to popular opinion, an outsized personality is not a requirement. With practice and persistence, anyone can build and benefit from a high-impact network. Smart Tribe is a company that understands the value of a network. They have developed and use an AI-enabled platform to connect academia and industry to help address one another's crucial problems while breaking down silos. Talking Points: Beatrice’s unique and varied background Building helpful networks The best practices and roadmap to creating a high-impact network How Smart Tribe creates a comfortable and safe space for everyone The role of higher education, academia, and science in innovation and company growth Unique challenges with an AI-enabled platform How Beatrice’s unique background influenced the development of Smart Tribe Advice for the next generation of women in AI and tech Success stories of professionals who have connected and solved problems because of Smart Tribe The future for Smart Tribe and Beatrice’s vision Resources/Links: Smart Tribe “How Leaders Create and Use Networks” by Herminia Ibarra and Mark Lee Hunter, Harvard Business Review

Today’s episode is the next installment in our series about women in AI. Our guest today is Preeti Adhikary, Master of Advanced Management student at Yale University (Former Director, AI & Marketing Lead at Emergents at Weild & Co., Former VP of Marketing, Fusemachines Inc.). In addition to her association with the Tsai CITY (Center for Innovative Thinking) at Yale, she is also an advisor for the Women in AI group. In today’s episode, host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Preeti about how critical it is to address the challenges in the industry, in order for the industry to be successful. Preeti talks about what we can do to change the narrative. She also talks about the importance of having people in the industry who do not have a technical background. In the fast paced world of technology, there are various ways to leverage AI and technology for the social good. Yet, it is critical to address the misconceptions and challenges in AI when doing so. Conquering the challenges created by AI, as well as learning how to use those challenges as a motivator can create strong passion for CSR and social justice initiatives. At the end of the day, visibility and awareness of these issues, and how to address this is how we can use technology and AI for the greater good. Talking Points: How Tsai CITY inspires students to solve real world problems How the Women in AI nonprofit organization helps gender inclusivity The Why Accelerate Program Preeti’s non-linear career path and journey to the AI industry The advantages and challenges of having a non-linear, non-technical career path The combination of social justice and AI in Fuse Machines projects Conquering the challenges in biases in the tech industry The top opportunities in AI and what gets Preeti excited about the industry Advice for the next generation of women in the tech industry How we can change the narrative Resources/Links: Tsai CITY Women in AI Fuse Machines FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/hello-human. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

For leaders, the promise of AI needs to be offset by an understanding of the risks. A lack of diversity and the inherent bias in technology influences many critical decisions around health, education, the workplace and society in general. It's not the fundamental technology that's racist or sexist, but the data on which we train the algorithms or the unconscious biases and prejudices of the developers. Battling these biases within and beyond the workplace includes addressing workplace equity and essential diversity and inclusion programs and initiatives. Beyond the world of HR and technology, one path to battling biases involves building awareness at a young age or through professional mentorship. In today’s episode, Fortress IQ’s founder and CEO Pankaj Chowdhry and series producer Elizabeth Mitelman talk with Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Lead at Google Sherika Ekpo about the unique challenges, impact of racism and sexism on society, and successful approaches for tackling bias in AI. Talking Points: Sherika’s journey from government to Google How to be a good ally and the definition of allyship How to address pipeline issues in STEM and AI education Conquering the challenges in biases in the tech industry Why does diversity matter so much? The importance of mentorship at various levels of your lifelong journey Advice for the next generation of tech leaders Resources/Links: Sherika Ekpo’s Official Website FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

In celebration of International Women’s Day, FortressIQ and hello, Human will be honoring and applauding women who are successfully navigating the predominantly male-centered field of AI and within the field of technology. Starting on March 8th, we will be starting a nine episode series featuring inspiring women, in hopes that this will open up conversations about pushing boundaries, breaking stereotypes, and with the aim of advising and encouraging the next generation of women in AI and tech. Join Vice President of Marketing Christine Flahaux and host John Knisley this season, with other members of the FortressIQ executive team—Pankaj Chowdhry, our Founder/CEO; Grace Chen, our Chief-of-Staff; as well as two rising female leaders on my own team, Sarah Kemp and Elizabeth Mitelman. We hope you will enjoy this series as much as we do. Resources/Links: FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Today's guest is Ben Nabulsi, a process data scientist at Dentsu. Host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, talks with Ben about how we can elevate human potential with innovative automation. They answer your questions about the integration of this powerful new technology with companies and how it can help them reach their corporate goals and greatest potential. Dentsu is one of the largest global advertising firms in the world. Because of Ben’s position as a process data scientist, he is able to sit in a front row seat as Dentsu’s innovative automation has had a positive effect on the workforce. Ben agrees that developing an AI and automation strategy is essential to the success of any modern business. Every company, no matter what size, knows that in order to remain competitive, you have to embrace change. Most transformation programs in the last decade have focused on customer experience, but today, indicators suggest the emphasis moving forward will shift toward back-office operational excellence. FortressIQ customer dentsu is a company that thrives on innovation and an entrepreneurial spirit, which powers its Automation Center of Excellence and that team’s mission to elevate human potential across the organization. Talking Points: A day in the life of a data process scientist How dentsu and Ben were able to utilize FortressIQ in analyzing their data How the “new normal” has affected the transformation programs How to build and maintain trust with stakeholders when it comes to the new technology Credentials, security, and other types of measures to ensure security and privacy of the stakeholders The “people element” The role of business analysts in this platform Expansion and the future of the program Advice for companies who want to follow in the same path as dentsu Resources/Links: Dentsu: Champions for Meaningful Progress FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Today's guest is Scott Klososky, the founding partner of Future Point of View and creator of Humalogy. Host Jon Knisley, long-time technologist helping companies win the market with emerging AI technologies, talks with Scott about the transition to automation, and working alongside AI and automation. They also talk about how the pandemic has disrupted Scott’s process (as a consultant), and how humalogy principles should be utilized because of the shift to virtual work environments. For years the promise of technology has been the ability to produce a more productive workforce. The challenge however is that while technology may improve productivity and efficiency by automating routine tasks, today it does not embody or transfer the human conditions necessary for building interpersonal relationships. Humanizing technology is still in its infancy therefore when trying to maximize efficiency and develop connectedness, there's a careful balance that must be struck. To that end, Humalogy examines blending available technologies with human effort to maximize performance and potential. Scott Klososky is an international speaker, futurist, author of four books, as well as an entrepreneur who has started five successful companies. Talking Points: “Many is the waves but one is the sea”: working alongside AI Automation and the public Processes, and the golden triangle of people, framework and technology Leaders should utilize the technology that is already available How Scott uses the concept of humalogy since the pandemic Working alongside technology and how tech is changing because of the pandemic The internal impact to staff that needs to be reskilled, retrained for new tech Resources/Links: The Digital Optimist Singularity.FM In Machines We Trust Future Thinkers The Trailblazers Podcast with Walter Isaacson FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

Today's guests are Craig Le Clair, Vice President and Principal Analyst at Forrester Research, and Stephen Siciliano, Partner PM Director at Microsoft for Power Automate. In this episode, Craig, Stephen, and I explore how companies today are under near-constant pressure to accelerate growth, efficiency, and ROI. Effectively implementing intelligent automation at scale is crucial for success in the enterprise, but this remains a challenge with large organizations because of a lack of resources to streamline business process discovery, gather accurate data, and then easily kick off automated workflows. Maintaining continuity and managing through change is an existential challenge, as business processes experience enormous demand spikes. By using process mining to more effectively orchestrate process automation, companies can address both near- and longer-term operational challenges. Craig serves enterprise architecture and business process professionals. He is an internationally recognized expert in automation, AI, and the future of work. His technology coverage areas include robotic process automation, AI solutions in financial services, and the potential workforce disruption due to these technologies. His 2019 book, Invisible Robots in the Quiet of the Night, has been met with wide acclaim. Stephen is the Partner PM Director at Microsoft for Power Automate. Power Automate is a service for automating workflow across the growing number of apps and SaaS services that business users rely on. Talking Points: Accelerated Digital Transformation The Workforce of the Future Human-Machine Interaction The Process Gap Resources/Links: Robots in the Quiet of the Night Power Automate FortressIQ If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe and check out our series at fortressiq.com/podcast. Thanks for joining us today on hello, Human.

In this episode, we explore the building blocks to developing a resilient digital core, and how automation helps businesses manage through a crisis. Today’s guests are Abhinav Kolhe, Head of Technology for Intelligent Automation at Cognizant, and Sudhakar Pemmaraju, North American Head for the Digital Strategy & Operations Transformation Consulting Practice at Cognizant. Maintaining continuity and managing through change is an existential challenge, as business processes experience enormous demand spikes. By using process mining to more effectively orchestrate process automation, companies can address both near- and longer-term operational challenges. Cognizant (Nasdaq-100: CTSH) is one of the world’s leading professional services companies, transforming clients’ business, operating and technology models for the digital era. The company’s unique industry-based, consultative approach helps many of the best-known organizations in every industry and geography envision, build and run more innovative and efficient businesses. Cognizant believes that the opportunity presented by technology has never been greater, and because of that opportunity, the company will continue to collaborate with clients to modernize their businesses, making everyday life ever better for them, their customers and the communities they serve. Talking Points: Hyperautomation’s key characteristics and components Building resiliency through hyperautomation Current environment and use cases Building blocks for a resilient digital core Resources/Links: Cassie Kozyrkov, Google DI - https://twitter.com/quaesita MIT’s The Download - https://forms.technologyreview.com/the-download/ Cognizant - https://www.cognizant.com/ FortressIQ – https://www.fortressiq.com

Today’s guest is Doug Henschen, the Vice President and Principal Analyst of Constellation Research. Today Doug will be offering the analyst viewpoint concerning the role of process orchestration in helping companies manage new information, closed-loop analytics, the best integration of technology in both online-based and brick-and-mortar companies, as well as his view of the trends in human-agent teaming. With the on-going return to business, leading organizations continue to pursue digital transformation and innovation goals even as they seek efficiencies and optimization. These initiatives depend on data, often data at scale, and technology optimization to meet target objectives and achieve the target future state. Doug Henschen is Vice President and Principal Analyst focusing on data-driven decision making at Constellation Research Inc.. Henschen’s Data-to-Decisions research examines how organizations employ data analysis to reimagine their business models and gain a deeper understanding of their customers. His research also acknowledges that innovative applications of data analysis requires a multi-disciplinary approach starting with information and orchestration technologies, business intelligence, data-visualization, analytics, NoSQL and big-data analysis, third-party data enrichment, and decision-management technologies. Henschen has a Bachelor of Arts, Syracuse University and has been in this field for almost 20 years. Talking Points: An introduction to the firm and Doug’s research focus The role of process orchestration in helping companies manage new information The challenges of closed-loop analytics Real-world stories about consulting with different industries Prognosis trends around the issue of human-agent teaming and partnership The resources Doug uses to stay informed in the world of consulting and data analysis Resources/Links: Constellation Research Constellation Research Business Transformation 150 DisrupTV Datanami KDnuggets FortressIQ

With me today is Kamal Ahluwalia from Eightfold. Together we are going to explore the current state and future state of turning talent into a competitive advantage for companies. People are really the backbone for any organization, and it's not an accident when we talk about the golden triangle of people, process, and technology that people are first. Employment is the backbone of our society, and everyone deserves the right job. Today, you get the job based on who you might know and not what you are capable of doing. Tomorrow, AI-enabled technology will transform how high-performing companies acquire and manage talent. Talking Points: Who is Kamal Ahluwalia and what does Eightfold do? How can AI technology help veterans? Can AI technology help with unemployment? Social justice, diversity and inclusion and how AIs can remove bias AI and remote work and school Transformation fatigue Resources/Links: Website: FortressIQ Website: Eightfold.AI Apple News Twitter: @kahluzalia

Our guest today is Pankaj Chowdhry the founder and CEO of FortressIQ. Organizations on the transformation journey should take the counterintuitive approach of embracing both change and the status quo. The key to the speed, and success of a transformation program lies in figuring out how to leverage components of the existing, while delivering change. This show is supported by FortressIQ, whose mission is to unlock the limitless potential of the global workforce by accelerating the responsible and ethical use of AI in the enterprise. Subscribe now, wherever you find podcasts so you don't miss any of the tips, strategies, or tales from the front lines of the submerging and rapidly evolving technology that is impacting how every one of us lives, works, and plays. Talking Points: Is there a darker side of AI? Exploring the ideal blend of AI-human integration The Four Realities of Transformation Your processes aren’t going away Your IT systems aren’t going away Your people aren’t going away Your organization’s structure isn’t going away Resources/Links: Website: FortressIQ arXiv sanity Farnam Street blog Farnam Street podcast