In this solo episode of Mind the Machine, host Cheryl Goodman delivers her keynote on what it truly means to be AI fluent. Drawing on two decades of tech industry leadership—from mp3.com to Qualcomm to Sony—Cheryl breaks down how businesses and individuals can confidently adopt AI without the fear or hype. This talk, given at industry events and universities alike, is part roadmap, part rally cry, and packed with practical insights for navigating today’s AI-powered world.She covers the real cost of AI, the dangers of shadow usage, and how companies can create smart policies, training, and workflows to thrive. Cheryl also shares powerful analogies (ever trained a child using only the internet?) and reveals how voice tools like ElevenLabs and strategic prompting can transform productivity. Whether you’re a business leader, student, or just curious about where AI is headed, this episode will leave you informed and inspired—with your fear turned into hope.00:00 – Intro: Why fear stops learning—and how to flip it00:50 – Cheryl’s keynote: From CBS journalist to AI strategist03:20 – A crash course in AI fluency for business06:00 – Why AI is not magic—or hype08:45 – The megatrend no one’s forecasting well11:20 – Understanding compute, tokens, and the real costs of AI14:25 – How to create an AI-forward company: policy, training, and workflow19:00 – Why fear around AI is rising, not falling23:15 – Three business paths: Off-the-shelf, custom build, or full integration28:00 – Hallucinations, explained (and how to reduce them)32:00 – AI agents: What they are, what they can do, and what they can’t36:00 – Smart vs. wise: The human edge in the AI era39:30 – How interns and older workers are navigating the same disruption42:00 – Hackathons, vibe coding, and building community45:00 – Advanced prompting and voice cloning with ElevenLabs48:00 – Final thoughts: Keep learning, stay in community, and lead with hopeHave a story of Hope in AI? Tell it here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScjftrMTuiJlYzbzJtYPssFckibT5FGIBPitRpXTX_Ll2f4iA/viewform✨ Learn more and sign up for Cheryl’s newsletter: https://findgood.techFollow Cheryl:Website: https://findgood.techInstagram: @findgood.techLinkedIn: ckgoodman