In this episode of Redefining AI, we explore The New Imagination: Generative AI and Humanity’s Next Artistic Revolution, inspired by the Reply AI Film Festival 2025 in Venice, an international showcase featuring over 2,500 AI-powered film submissions from 67 countries.
Joining our host Lauren Hawker Zafer in the conversation are René Schulte, Expert in Physical AI, Generative AI, XR, and Digital Humans at Reply, and Philipp Schweidler, Director of Toniq Sound Agency.
Together, they examine how generative AI is transforming film, music, and storytelling, not as an automated shortcut, but as a powerful creative collaborator.
This episode goes deep into:
How AI is reshaping creativity, authorship, and originality
Why emotional intelligence and human intent still define great art
The tension between algorithms and authenticity in AI-made content
The emergence of the “human-made™” label as a response to AI saturation
Copyright, IP protection, and royalties in the age of AI-generated music and media
What the future of entertainment, storytelling, and digital creativity looks like
From AI filmmaking tools like Sora and Veo to the cultural impact of AI-generated art, this conversation offers a nuanced, human-first perspective on the future of creative industries.
Ideal for leaders, creators, technologists, and anyone curious about AI creativity, AI in film, future storytelling, and the evolving relationship between humans and intelligent machines.
Quick Jump
00:00 Epic AI Creativity Clash: Renny & Philip
00:03 Replay AI Film Fest: 2500 Entries Explode
04:30 Clarity Wins: AI Amplifies Human Intent
06:00 AI Surprises: Genius Ideas Humans Miss
07:30 Humans Crave Humans: Emotional Connection Key
09:00 Uniqueness Battle: AI vs True Originality
10:30 Video AI Boom: Veo3, Sora Master Storytelling
12:00 Authenticity Rules: AI Co-Creator, Not Replacer
13:30 Culture Clash: AI Stretches Human Limits
15:00 AI Slop Flood: Filters for Premium Content
16:30 Democratization Trap: Everyone’s an Artist Now
18:00 Copyright Chaos: Royalties for AI Music?
19:30 Fair Pay Fight: 120 Global AI Cases Rage
21:00 IP Ruling: Human Effort Makes AI Protectable
22:30 Physical AI Robots: Blue-Collar Revolution Hits
24:00 Brands Adapt: Cyborg Era Sound Strategies
25:30 Future Premium: “Human Made” Label
When AI becomes a co-creator, what remains uniquely human?
Inspired by the Reply AI Film Festival 2025 in Venice—2,500 films, 67 countries, this upcoming episode explores a creative turning point.
In this upcoming episode, Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with returning guest René Schulte, Expert in Physical AI, GenAI, XR & Digital Humans and Leader of Communities of Practice at Reply, and Philipp Schweidler, Director of Toniq Sound Agency, to unpack AI and Humanity’s Next Artistic Revolution.
From the rise of the human-made™ label to the tension between emotion and algorithms, this conversation asks a deeper question:
In a world where anything can be generated, what will be worth creating?
#AIandHumanity #AICreativity #GenerativeAI #AICulture#AIFuture #TechInnovation #ReplyAIFilmFestival #Venice2025 #AIinFilm #FutureOfStorytelling #CreativeAI #AIMadeArt #HumanMade #DigitalCreatives #ArtTech
The Reply AI Film Festival 2025 in Venice spotlighted a creative shift with 2,500 submissions from 67 countries, it revealed how AI is reshaping film and storytelling.
Not as a passive tool, but as a co-creator challenging long-held ideas of authorship and originality.
Returning guest René Schulte, Expert in Physical AI, GenAI, XR & Digital Humans and Leader of Communities of Practice at Reply, joins Philipp Schweidler, Director of Toniq Sound Agency, to unpack AI and Humanity’s Next Artistic Revolution.
Together, they explore how AI amplifies human vision, pushes creative boundaries, and redefine what it means to create and they leave listeners with a resonant dose of food for thought about the future of entertainment and human expression.
We examine the rise of the “human-made™” label, the balance between emotion and algorithms, and how AI is redefining the future of entertainment and creativity.
#AIandHumanity #AICreativity #GenerativeAI #AICulture#AIFuture #TechInnovation #ReplyAIFilmFestival #Venice2025 #AIinFilm #FutureOfStorytelling #CreativeAI #AIMadeArt #HumanMade #DigitalCreatives #ArtTech
In this Redefining AI Episode, we introduce Jacob Ward and the conversation that Lauren Hawker Zafer had with him on AI, Agency and the Architecture of Choice.
Jacob Ward is a journalist and correspondent with two decades of experience uncovering how innovation shapes society — and how it quietly shapes us.
Jacob has served as technology correspondent for NBC News, covered the consequences of emerging technologies across major broadcast platforms, and led one of the world’s most influential science publications as editor-in-chief of Popular Science.
He is the author of The Loop: How Technology/AI Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back, a revelatory book examining how algorithmic systems influence human agency. He also founded The Rip Current, a media platform that investigates the hidden forces driving modern life.
This conversation explores AI not only as a technical phenomenon but as a profound human one, reshaping choice, perception, culture, and leadership.
Together, Lauren and Jacob unpack what it means for executives and operators to scale AI in a way that protects human judgment, respects cognitive limits, and strengthens organisational decision-making.
Expect a dialogue that challenges assumptions, reframes risk, and pushes leaders to consider not just what AI can do, but who we become when we use it.
#techpodcast #squirro #ai
In this Redefining AI Episode, we introduce Jacob Ward and the conversation that Lauren Hawker Zafer had with him on AI, Agency and the Architecture of Choice.
Jacob Ward is a journalist and correspondent with two decades of experience uncovering how innovation shapes society — and how it quietly shapes us.
Jacob has served as technology correspondent for NBC News, covered the consequences of emerging technologies across major broadcast platforms, and led one of the world’s most influential science publications as editor-in-chief of Popular Science.
He is the author of The Loop: How Technology/AI Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back, a revelatory book examining how algorithmic systems influence human agency. He also founded The Rip Current, a media platform that investigates the hidden forces driving modern life.
This conversation explores AI not only as a technical phenomenon but as a profound human one, reshaping choice, perception, culture, and leadership.
Together, Lauren and Jacob unpack what it means for executives and operators to scale AI in a way that protects human judgment, respects cognitive limits, and strengthens organisational decision-making.
Expect a dialogue that challenges assumptions, reframes risk, and pushes leaders to consider not just what AI can do, but who we become when we use it.
#techpodcast #squirro #ai
In this Redefining AI Spotlight, we introduce Jacob
Ward and the conversation that Lauren Hawker Zafer had with him on AI, Agency and the Architecture of Choice.
Jacob Ward is a journalist and correspondent with two decades of experience uncovering how innovation shapes society — and how it quietly shapes us.
Jacob has served as technology correspondent for NBC News, covered the consequences of emerging technologies across major broadcast platforms, and led one of the world’s most influential science publications as editor-in-chief of Popular Science.
He is the author of The Loop: How Technology/AI Is Creating a World Without Choices and How to Fight Back, a revelatory book examining how algorithmic systems influence human agency. He also founded The Rip Current, a media platform that investigates the hidden forces driving modern life.
The upcoming conversation explores AI not only as a technical phenomenon but as a profound human one, reshaping choice, perception, culture, and leadership.
Together, Lauren and Jacob unpack what it means for executives and operators to scale AI in a way that protects human judgment, respects cognitive limits, and strengthens organisational decision-making.
Expect a dialogue that challenges assumptions, reframes risk, and pushes leaders to consider not just what AI can do, but who we become when we use it.
#techpodcast #squirro #ai
In this Redefining AI episode, host Lauren Hawker Zafer welcomes Dr. Jack McCallum: neurosurgeon, historian, and AI entrepreneur for one of the most fascinating conversations yet.
With his rare blend of medical, historical, and technical expertise, Dr. McCallum explores how artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming our tools, but rewiring our very minds.
Drawing on insights from his upcoming book, The Changing Brain, he connects the rise of AI to the long evolution of human cognition from speech and writing to the digital and generative eras.
Join them and discover how AI fits into this centuries-long evolution, what’s happening neurologically when we “outsource” cognition to machines, and what the future might hold for an AI-native generation.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe on your favourite channel.
#brain #podcast #ai #redefiningai #futureofwork
In this Redefining AI Spotlight episode, host Lauren Hawker Zafer welcomes Dr. Jack McCallum — neurosurgeon, historian, and AI entrepreneur for one of the most fascinating conversations yet.
With his rare blend of medical, historical, and technical expertise, Dr. McCallum explores how artificial intelligence isn’t just transforming our tools, but rewiring our very minds.
Drawing on insights from his upcoming book, The Changing Brain, he connects the rise of AI to the long evolution of human cognition from speech and writing to the digital and generative eras.
Join them and discover how AI fits into this centuries-long evolution, what’s happening neurologically when we “outsource” cognition to machines, and what the future might hold for an AI-native generation.
🎧 Listen now and subscribe on your favourite channel.
#brain #podcast #ai #redefiningai
From Saving Lives to 5M ARR - AI Sales, Founder Psychology and the Dark Side of Speed with Gaurav Bhattacharya.
This episode is a truly unique and insightful dive into building a SaaS venture and the 996 culture of Silicon Valley.
Who is Gaurav?
Gaurav Bhattacharya is a repeat B2B SaaS founder and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree who’s built, scaled, and exited startups before most founders finish their MVP.
Currently the CEO of Jeeva.ai, he’s leading the charge in automating outbound AI-powered SDR agents — helping B2B teams 2x their pipeline in half the time (and cost).
Before Jeeva, he co-founded involve.ai, a customer intelligence platform that grew to 500+ companies and 1.1M users globally. He raised over $20M from top investors like Sapphire Ventures, Stanford University, and Gokul Rajaram — and hit $5M ARR in under 9 months with just 11 people.
Gaurav’s story starts even earlier, at 17, he co-built a radiology tool that the Indian government adopted nationwide to fight sex-selective abortions.
He’s been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, LA Business Journal, and top startup podcasts — and he’s not here to preach theory. Gaurav brings real-world operator lessons, raw founder stories, and tactical GTM frameworks that listeners can steal and ship the same day.
When he’s not building, he’s probably over-caffeinating, mentoring founders, or geeking out on outbound psychology.
#techpodcast #ai #redefiningai #laurenhawkerzafer
Subscribe to the channel and share what you enjoyed! Give us some stars and feedback in the review section!
Spotlight Ten - From Saving Lives to 5M ARR - AI Sales, Founder Psychology and the Dark Side of Speed with Gaurav Bhattacharya
Spotlight ten is a truly unique and insightful dive into building a SaaS venture and the 996 culture of Silicon Valley.
Who is Gaurav?
Gaurav Bhattacharya is a repeat B2B SaaS founder and Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree who’s built, scaled, and exited startups before most founders finish their MVP.
Currently the CEO of Jeeva.ai, he’s leading the charge in automating outbound AI-powered SDR agents — helping B2B teams 2x their pipeline in half the time (and cost).
Before Jeeva, he co-founded involve.ai, a customer intelligence platform that grew to 500+ companies and 1.1M users globally. He raised over $20M from top investors like Sapphire Ventures, Stanford University, and Gokul Rajaram — and hit $5M ARR in under 9 months with just 11 people.
Gaurav’s story starts even earlier, at 17, he co-built a radiology tool that the Indian government adopted nationwide to fight sex-selective abortions.
He’s been featured in Forbes, Business Insider, LA Business Journal, and top startup podcasts — and he’s not here to preach theory. Gaurav brings real-world operator lessons, raw founder stories, and tactical GTM frameworks that listeners can steal and ship the same day.
When he’s not building, he’s probably over-caffeinating, mentoring founders, or geeking out on outbound psychology.
#techpodcast #ai #redefiningai #laurenhawkerzafer
Subscribe to the channel and share what you enjoyed! Give us some stars and feedback in the review section!
Beyond LLMs - The Case for Organic, Brain-Inspired Al with Bruno Maisonnier.
Welcome back to Redefining AI, the award winning tech podcast powered by Squirro, the Enterprise Generative AI Platform.
In this pisode, Lauren Hawker Zafer is joined by Bruno Maisonnier - a Pioneer in Humanoid Robotics and Visionary in Artificial Intelligence.
Bruno Maisonnier is a prominent French entrepreneur and engineer recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of humanoid robotics and his ongoing work in developing a new generation of artificial intelligence.
He is the founder of Aldebaran Robotics, the company behind the internationally acclaimed NAO and Pepper robots, and currently leads the charge at AnotherBrain, a company pioneering "Organic AI."
An alumnus of the prestigious École Polytechnique, Maisonnier began his career in the banking sector. However, his passion for technology and a belief in the future of personal robotics led him to a significant career change. In 2005, he founded Aldebaran Robotics in Paris, with the ambitious goal of creating humanoid robots that could interact with humans in a natural and intuitive way.
Under his leadership, Aldebaran developed the NAO robot, a small, programmable humanoid that quickly became a standard platform for research and education worldwide. This was followed by the creation of Pepper, a larger, more sophisticated robot designed for social interaction and commercial applications. These robots were revolutionary in their ability to perceive and respond to human emotions, marking a significant step forward in the field of social robotics.
In 2012, SoftBank Group acquired a majority stake in Aldebaran Robotics, which was later fully integrated into the Japanese conglomerate. Maisonnier eventually departed from the company he founded and, in 2017, embarked on a new venture with the establishment of AnotherBrain.
With AnotherBrain, Maisonnier is focusing on what he terms "Organic AI," a novel approach to artificial intelligence inspired by the workings of the human brain. This new generation of AI aims to be more efficient, require less data, and provide explainable results, moving beyond the limitations of current deep learning models.
Tune into the spotlight from the upcoming episode nine with Bruno! This is a truly unique and insightful dive into AI beyond LLMs.
#techpodcast #ai #redefiningai
Subscribe to the channel and share what you enjoyed! Give us some stars and feedback in the review section!
Spotlight Nine -Beyond LLMs - The Case for Organic, Brain-Inspired Al with Bruno Maisonnier.
Welcome back to Redefining AI, the award winning tech podcast powered by Squirro, the Enterprise Generative AI Platform.
In the upcoming episode, Lauren Hawker Zafer is joined by Bruno Maisonnier - a Pioneer in Humanoid Robotics and Visionary in Artificial Intelligence.
Bruno Maisonnier is a prominent French entrepreneur and engineer recognized for his groundbreaking contributions to the field of humanoid robotics and his ongoing work in developing a new generation of artificial intelligence.
He is the founder of Aldebaran Robotics, the company behind the internationally acclaimed NAO and Pepper robots, and currently leads the charge at AnotherBrain, a company pioneering "Organic AI."
An alumnus of the prestigious École Polytechnique, Maisonnier began his career in the banking sector. However, his passion for technology and a belief in the future of personal robotics led him to a significant career change. In 2005, he founded Aldebaran Robotics in Paris, with the ambitious goal of creating humanoid robots that could interact with humans in a natural and intuitive way.
Under his leadership, Aldebaran developed the NAO robot, a small, programmable humanoid that quickly became a standard platform for research and education worldwide. This was followed by the creation of Pepper, a larger, more sophisticated robot designed for social interaction and commercial applications. These robots were revolutionary in their ability to perceive and respond to human emotions, marking a significant step forward in the field of social robotics.
In 2012, SoftBank Group acquired a majority stake in Aldebaran Robotics, which was later fully integrated into the Japanese conglomerate. Maisonnier eventually departed from the company he founded and, in 2017, embarked on a new venture with the establishment of AnotherBrain.
With AnotherBrain, Maisonnier is focusing on what he terms "Organic AI," a novel approach to artificial intelligence inspired by the workings of the human brain. This new generation of AI aims to be more efficient, require less data, and provide explainable results, moving beyond the limitations of current deep learning models.
Tune into the spotlight from the upcoming episode nine with Bruno! This is a truly unique and insightful dive into AI beyond LLMs.
#techpodcast #ai #redefiningai
Subscribe to the channel and share what you enjoyed! Give us some stars and feedback in the review section!
Welcome back to Redefining AI, the award winning tech podcast powered by Squirro, the Enterprise Generative AI Platform. Today’s episode is not just another conversation—it’s episode eight.
In this episode, Lauren Hawker Zafer is joined by Matthew Theurer, a visionary technologist, entrepreneur, and now co-founder and CEO of Hyperspectral.ai.
With over 30 years of experience across government and industry—from pioneering work at the NIH to leading the $1.2B acquisition of Virtustream—Matthew is no stranger to building companies that redefine what’s possible.
This episode explores:🌈 What hyperspectral imaging actually is—and how it enables machines to “see the unseen”
🦠 Why AI powered by physics is detecting foodborne illness, pathogens, and even antimicrobial resistance
📡 How multimodal AI (beyond text and vision) is becoming the next critical leap
⚖️ The balance between scientific rigor and ethical responsibility in AI design
🧭 And what’s still missing in the way we educate future AI leaders
Whether you're in tech, health, defense, or just curious about what the next wave of AI truly looks like—this episode is for you. It’s a rare glimpse into a domain where raw sensor data, deep science, and practical AI intersect.
👉 If you're not already following Redefining AI, now is the time. Hit subscribe to be the first to hear future spotlight episodes, deep dives, and unfiltered conversations with those shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
This isn’t about AI hype—it’s about AI with purpose.🎧 Listen now and redefine what you think is possible.
#techpodcast #laurenhawkerzafer #ai #spotify #apple
HyperSpectral, the world’s first AI-powered spectral intelligence company with hardware-agnostic solutions for particle detection, has been named a Gold Winner in the 2025 Globee® Awards, taking home the top honor in the Disruptive Startup of the Year category for its breakthrough platform SpecAI™.
“Winning this Globee® reinforces what our investors and partners already know: SpecAI™ is changing the way we detect and respond to threats,” said Matthew Theurer, CEO and co-founder of HyperSpectral. “We’ve built the infrastructure for smarter, faster and more resilient diagnostics.”
SpecAI™ is ushering in a new era of spectral intelligence, combining multimodal spectroscopic imaging with composit AI to deliver real-time, lab-accurate analysis of pathogens, materials and contaminants faster than traditional testing. Its hardware-agnostic, AI-driven design allows seamless integration across industries, including, healthcare, food safety and defense.
HyperSpectral is actively collaborating with the Safe Food Alliance, DARPA, Stanford, MIT and Case Western to refine and scale the SpecAI™ platform. Earlier this year, HyperSpectral also received the prestigious SPIE Prism Award for Best Software, further validating SpecAI™ position as a category-defining solution in spectral intelligence.
Spotlight Episode: Matthew Theurer on Hyperspectral AI, Physics-Driven Intelligence & the Future of Multimodal Tech
Welcome back to Redefining AI, the award winning tech podcast powered by Squirro, the Enterprise Generative AI Platform. Today’s episode is not just another conversation—it’s the spotlight of episode eight.
In this episode, Lauren Hawker Zafer is joined by Matthew Theurer, a visionary technologist, entrepreneur, and now co-founder and CEO of Hyperspectral.ai.
With over 30 years of experience across government and industry—from pioneering work at the NIH to leading the $1.2B acquisition of Virtustream—Matthew is no stranger to building companies that redefine what’s possible.
This spotlight episode explores:
🌈 What hyperspectral imaging actually is—and how it enables machines to “see the unseen”
🦠 Why AI powered by physics is detecting foodborne illness, pathogens, and even antimicrobial resistance
📡 How multimodal AI (beyond text and vision) is becoming the next critical leap
⚖️ The balance between scientific rigor and ethical responsibility in AI design
🧭 And what’s still missing in the way we educate future AI leaders
Whether you're in tech, health, defense, or just curious about what the next wave of AI truly looks like—this episode is for you. It’s a rare glimpse into a domain where raw sensor data, deep science, and practical AI intersect.
👉 If you're not already following Redefining AI, now is the time. Hit subscribe to be the first to hear future spotlight episodes, deep dives, and unfiltered conversations with those shaping the future of artificial intelligence.
This isn’t about AI hype—it’s about AI with purpose.
🎧 Listen now and redefine what you think is possible.
#techpodcast #laurenhawkerzafer #ai #spotify #apple
After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024 Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!
Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.
In this episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Dr. Ja-Naé Duane and Steve Fisher.
For over 20 years, behavioral scientist Dr. Ja-Naé Duane dedicated herself to one mission: Make life better for one billion people. This award-winning innovator and expert on global systems focuses on helping corporations, governments, and universities understand and develop systems of the future using emerging technology such as VR/AR, AI, and blockchain.
Ja-Nae guides companies forward, helping them get out of their own way to create exponential innovation and future forecasting. She has had the pleasure of working with companies such as PWC, Saudi Aramco, Yum Brands, Samsonite, Natixis, AIG, and Deloitte.
A top-rated speaker within the Singularity University community and the author of the bestseller, “The Startup Equation,” Ja-Nae is helping both startups and multinational firms identify new business models and pathways for global scale.
Over the years, her work has caught the attention of The Associated Press, NPR, The Boston Globe, and BusinessWeek. Ja-Nae holds degrees from Brown University, I.E. Business School, Northeastern University, Carnegie University, Bentley University, and Boston University. Ja-Nae is a member of the Loomis Council at the Stimson Center, collaborator with the National Institute of Health, and holds appointments at Brown University and MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research.
Steven Fisher is a visionary futurist, innovation leader, and design strategist with over 30 years of experience driving transformational change. Passionate about reimagining business models, he leverages cutting-edge advancements—especially Generative AI—to empower organizations across industries to navigate complexity and seize future opportunities. As a leader in foresight and innovation, Steven has consistently spearheaded high-impact initiatives at renowned organizations. At McKinsey & Company, he co-founded the Futures Practice, integrating strategic foresight and speculative design to help businesses anticipate and adapt to an uncertain future. At FTI Consulting, he led the adoption of Generative AI for business model transformation, pioneering new AI-driven solutions that delivered measurable impact across industries.
Beyond corporate leadership, Steven is the Managing Partner of Revolution Factory, a global innovation firm that fosters cutting-edge solutions through AI, strategic foresight, and design thinking. He also serves as Chief Futurist at the Human Frontier Institute (HFI), where he explores emerging trends, conducts research on future-oriented challenges, and mentors leaders in strategic foresight.
A prolific thought leader and author, Steven co-authored the best-selling The Startup Equation (McGraw Hill, 2016) and is currently developing two new books—SuperShifts (2025) and Designing the Future (2026)—which delve into the future of business, technology, and human adaptation. He shares his insights through keynotes, industry publications, and his podcasts—the Think Forward Show and Off World Podcast—which explore the intersection of innovation, AI, and humanity’s expansion beyond Earth.
Committed to democratizing futures thinking, Steven believes that understanding human history and patterns of change is essential to building resilient, future-ready organizations. His expertise in Generative AI, strategic foresight, and design-led innovation enables him to help organizations anticipate challenges and seize opportunities with confidence.
Follow and subscribe to Redefining AI to join us in the full episode!
#ai #redefiningai #spotify #techpodcast
After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024 Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!
Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.
In the upcoming episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Dr. Ja-Naé Duane and Steve Fisher.
For over 20 years, behavioral scientist Dr. Ja-Naé Duane dedicated herself to one mission: Make life better for one billion people. This award-winning innovator and expert on global systems focuses on helping corporations, governments, and universities understand and develop systems of the future using emerging technology such as VR/AR, AI, and blockchain.
Ja-Nae guides companies forward, helping them get out of their own way to create exponential innovation and future forecasting. She has had the pleasure of working with companies such as PWC, Saudi Aramco, Yum Brands, Samsonite, Natixis, AIG, and Deloitte.
A top-rated speaker within the Singularity University community and the author of the bestseller, “The Startup Equation,” Ja-Nae is helping both startups and multinational firms identify new business models and pathways for global scale.
Over the years, her work has caught the attention of The Associated Press, NPR, The Boston Globe, and BusinessWeek. Ja-Nae holds degrees from Brown University, I.E. Business School, Northeastern University, Carnegie University, Bentley University, and Boston University. Ja-Nae is a member of the Loomis Council at the Stimson Center, collaborator with the National Institute of Health, and holds appointments at Brown University and MIT’s Center for Information Systems Research.
Steven Fisher is a visionary futurist, innovation leader, and design strategist with over 30 years of experience driving transformational change. Passionate about reimagining business models, he leverages cutting-edge advancements—especially Generative AI—to empower organizations across industries to navigate complexity and seize future opportunities. As a leader in foresight and innovation, Steven has consistently spearheaded high-impact initiatives at renowned organizations. At McKinsey & Company, he co-founded the Futures Practice, integrating strategic foresight and speculative design to help businesses anticipate and adapt to an uncertain future. At FTI Consulting, he led the adoption of Generative AI for business model transformation, pioneering new AI-driven solutions that delivered measurable impact across industries.
Beyond corporate leadership, Steven is the Managing Partner of Revolution Factory, a global innovation firm that fosters cutting-edge solutions through AI, strategic foresight, and design thinking. He also serves as Chief Futurist at the Human Frontier Institute (HFI), where he explores emerging trends, conducts research on future-oriented challenges, and mentors leaders in strategic foresight.
A prolific thought leader and author, Steven co-authored the best-selling The Startup Equation (McGraw Hill, 2016) and is currently developing two new books—SuperShifts (2025) and Designing the Future (2026)—which delve into the future of business, technology, and human adaptation. He shares his insights through keynotes, industry publications, and his podcasts—the Think Forward Show and Off World Podcast—which explore the intersection of innovation, AI, and humanity’s expansion beyond Earth.
Committed to democratizing futures thinking, Steven believes that understanding human history and patterns of change is essential to building resilient, future-ready organizations. His expertise in Generative AI, strategic foresight, and design-led innovation enables him to help organizations anticipate challenges and seize opportunities with confidence.
Follow and subscribe to Redefining AI to join us in the full episode!
#ai #redefiningai #spotify #techpodcast
After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!
Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.
In this episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Jenny Fielding: investor, founder, operator, professor, and author of Venture Everywhere.
With a career that spans over 300 startup investments, including fintech, healthtech, and edtech disruptors like Alloy, Particle Health, and Pair Eyewear, Jenny offers rare insights into the future of AI startups, founder-first investing, and the changing landscape of early-stage tech innovation.
Together, they explore:
What separates AI hype from real-world investable opportunities
How to build ethical, responsible AI startups
The rise of founder-market fit in the age of GenAI tools
Navigating trust, regulation, and scale in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and education
How Gen Z entrepreneurs are rethinking AI and purpose
What it truly takes to build a scalable and meaningful AI company
Jenny also shares lessons from Columbia and Cornell Tech, her thoughts on democratizing entrepreneurship globally, and why her book Venture Everywhere is a call to action for responsible innovation.
Whether you're a tech founder, investor, or simply curious about the future of AI entrepreneurship, this conversation offers clarity, candor, and bold ideas for building what matters.
🎧 Tune in now and explore how AI, venture capital, and human-centric design are redefining the next wave of innovation.
#AI #Startup #TechPodcast #GenerativeAI #VentureCapital #EarlyStageStartups #FounderStories #EthicalAI #JennyFielding #Squirro #RedefiningAI #VentureEverywhere #Fintech #Healthtech #Edtech #Entrepreneurship #HumanCentricAI
After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!
Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.
In the upcoming episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Jenny Fielding: investor, founder, operator, professor, and author of Venture Everywhere.
With a career that spans over 300 startup investments, including fintech, healthtech, and edtech disruptors like Alloy, Particle Health, and Pair Eyewear, Jenny offers rare insights into the future of AI startups, founder-first investing, and the changing landscape of early-stage tech innovation.
Together, we explore:
What separates AI hype from real-world investable opportunities
How to build ethical, responsible AI startups
The rise of founder-market fit in the age of GenAI tools
Navigating trust, regulation, and scale in sectors like fintech, healthcare, and education
How Gen Z entrepreneurs are rethinking AI and purpose
What it truly takes to build a scalable and meaningful AI company
Jenny also shares lessons from Columbia and Cornell Tech, her thoughts on democratizing entrepreneurship globally, and why her book Venture Everywhere is a call to action for responsible innovation.
Whether you're a tech founder, investor, or simply curious about the future of AI entrepreneurship, this conversation offers clarity, candor, and bold ideas for building what matters.
🎧 Tune in now and explore how AI, venture capital, and human-centric design are redefining the next wave of innovation.
#AI #Startup #TechPodcast #GenerativeAI #VentureCapital #EarlyStageStartups #FounderStories #EthicalAI #JennyFielding #Squirro #RedefiningAI #VentureEverywhere #Fintech #Healthtech #Edtech #Entrepreneurship #HumanCentricAI
After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!
Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.
In this episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Dr. Serena Huang—renowned Chief Data Officer, Fortune 100 AI consultant, and author of The Inclusion Equation. Together, they explore how data and AI are transforming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and employee wellbeing across industries.
Dr. Huang shares groundbreaking insights on how to use AI to quantify inclusion, foster psychological safety, and drive measurable ROI in DEI initiatives.
From ethical data use to mental health innovation, this conversation tackles the powerful intersection of human values and machine intelligence.
🎧 Tune in to discover:
How AI can advance rather than threaten DEI
Strategies to promote inclusive workplace cultures with data
Why human skills like empathy and creativity are rising in value
The future of work through the lens of employee wellbeing and AI ethics
Whether you’re a tech leader, HR professional, or AI enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen for anyone shaping the future of ethical AI and people-first innovation.
#AIforGood #InclusionEquation #FutureOfWork #EmployeeWellbeing #DEI #GenerativeAI #TechForGood #RedefiningAI #WorkplaceWellbeing #AIethics
After winning the prestigious New York Digital Award in 2024, Redefining AI returns with an electrifying Season Four!
Join your host Lauren Hawker Zafer, on behalf of Squirro, the Enterprise Gen AI Platform, as we embark on another season of groundbreaking conversations.
In the upcoming episode of Redefining AI, host Lauren Hawker Zafer sits down with Dr. Serena Huang—renowned Chief Data Officer, Fortune 100 AI consultant, and author of The Inclusion Equation. Together, they explore how data and AI are transforming Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (DEI) and employee wellbeing across industries.
Dr. Huang shares groundbreaking insights on how to use AI to quantify inclusion, foster psychological safety, and drive measurable ROI in DEI initiatives. From ethical data use to mental health innovation, this conversation tackles the powerful intersection of human values and machine intelligence.
🎧 Tune in to discover:
How AI can advance rather than threaten DEI
Strategies to promote inclusive workplace cultures with data
Why human skills like empathy and creativity are rising in value
The future of work through the lens of employee wellbeing and AI ethics
Whether you’re a tech leader, HR professional, or AI enthusiast, this episode is a must-listen for anyone shaping the future of ethical AI and people-first innovation.
#AIforGood #InclusionEquation #FutureOfWork #EmployeeWellbeing #DEI #GenerativeAI #TechForGood #RedefiningAI #WorkplaceWellbeing #AIethics