Enterprise leaders are racing to deploy generative AI, but most overlook a critical foundation: data readiness. Despite bold ambitions, less than one-third of technology leaders believe their data is prepared to support AI at scale.  Marcela Vairo, IBM’s Vice President of Data and AI for the Americas, joins The AI Forecast to explore one of the most persistent challenges in enterprise AI: why strong data foundations remain the exception, not the rule. Drawing on more than 25 years at IBM, Marcela shares how organizations can close the gap between aspiration and execution through effective data governance, integration, and trust. She explains why governance isn’t a checkbox—it’s an enabler—and how companies can scale AI responsibly by building the right architecture, managing bias, and embracing data quality as a strategic asset.   Stay in touch with Marcela: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcela-vairo/    +++   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.  

AI is transforming not only the way we work, but what we value as work. Success in this new era won’t come from chasing efficiency alone, but from cultivating cultures where AI empowers people, strengthens purpose, and drives innovation with trust at the center. In this episode of The AI Forecast, Teddra Burgess, founder of Chasing Outcomes, joins host Paul Muller to explore how AI is reshaping not just work, but what we value about work. Teddra lays out a practical path to building an “AI-anywhere” culture: start with outcomes (not tools), empower every function (not just IT), and lead with trust, purpose, and adaptability. Teddra shares how leaders can navigate uncertainty like a “navigator”—aligning people around a clear North Star while evolving skills, roles, and mindsets.  Stay in touch with Teddra: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/teddrathomasburgess/  +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.

In this episode of The AI Forecast, Tom Harshbarger, Director of Cloud and AI Strategy at Arrow Electronics, joins host Paul Muller to unpack what it really takes to build enterprise AI solutions that deliver value. From navigating an immature market to choosing the right partners, Tom shares hard-earned lessons from decades in the industry on how to start small, experiment intelligently, and scale with confidence. They also explore why AI feels different from past technology waves, what makes today’s ecosystem uniquely complex, and how leaders can balance ambition with responsibility as the world races to integrate AI into every corner of business and life. Stay in touch with Tom: LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-harshbarger/  Arrow Electronics: arrow.com +++   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.

The AI era is redefining what it takes to stay on top. Success won’t come from protecting the status quo, but from embracing the “always day one” mindset—where reinvention, adaptability, and bold experimentation drive progress.  Drawing on Big Tech’s playbook, Alex Kantrowitz, former journalist and now founder of Big Technology, joins host Paul Muller on The AI Forecast to discuss why continuous reinvention is the key to thriving in this new landscape, and how leaders can navigate AI’s impact on business, culture, and society. Stay in touch with Alex: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexkantrowitz/  Big Technology: https://www.bigtechnology.com/    +++   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.  

What does it mean to design AI with humanity at its core? Jess Von Bank—futurist, HR transformation leader, and president of Diverse Daisies—joins The AI Forecast to discuss. With host Paul Muller, the two explore how AI is reshaping the workforce and our very sense of what it means to be human. From AI-driven recruiting and workforce redesign to the mental health crisis and the erosion of human connection, Jess challenges leaders to slow down, think deeply, and build technology that serves people, not replaces them. Stay in touch with Jess: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jessvonbank/  +++   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.

We’re entering a new era of Big Data defined by convergence—where on-premises and cloud systems come together to power trusted, private AI. By integrating AI with modern data architectures, organizations can harness the full value of their information, drive innovation, and enable a new wave of business outcomes in a rapidly evolving digital landscape. In this episode of The AI Forecast, Cloudera CTO Sergio Gago joins host Paul Muller to unpack the “third wave” of data and AI.  Plus, drawing on his experience as a musician, entrepreneur, and quantum computing leader, Sergio explores the creative and human dimensions of AI — from how music teaches us about data patterns to why the real value in AI lies in skills, context, and control. He shares his vision for a world where digital colleagues work alongside humans, how organizations can safely embrace AI agents, and why the future of business will depend on sovereign data and private intelligence. Stay in touch with Sergio: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergiogh  Sergio’s Quantum Pirates Newsletter: https://quantumpirates.substack.com/  +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.

The future will not be decided by who experiments with AI first, but by who can operationalize it at scale - turning messy, fragmented data into trusted insights, deploying models seamlessly across hybrid environments, and delivering measurable business outcomes. To discuss, we’re joined by Patrick Moorhead, Founder, CEO and Chief Analyst at Moor Insights & Strategy.  He and host Paul Muller explore the importance of data quality, the impact of AI on various industries, and the need for effective data management strategies. Patrick shares insights from his extensive experience in technology and highlights the opportunities and challenges that AI presents for businesses today. Stay in touch with Patrick: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/patmoorhead/  Moor Insights & Strategy website: https://moorinsightsstrategy.com/    +++   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.  

Fresh off his keynote at Cloudera’s EVOLVE NYC, futurist and author Mike Walsh returns to The AI Forecast to share bold insights on the rise of AI agents and what they mean for business, culture, and society. In this wide-ranging conversation, Mike explores how AI is evolving from simple automation into a limitless digital workforce, and why the real disruption lies in the second- and third-order consequences of this transformation. From model collapse and embodied AI to sovereign intelligence and the future of work, Mike challenges us to look beyond the hype and consider how AI will reshape organizations, economies, and even culture itself. Along the way, he reflects on his upcoming book, the risks of algorithmic echo chambers, and why now is the best time to be a creative thinker willing to embrace change. Stay in touch with Mike: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwalsh/  +++   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast YouTube page.  

AI is changing the way businesses operate. But without trust, governance, and accountability, progress stalls.  Ojas Rege, SVP and GM of Privacy and Data Governance at OneTrust, joins The AI Forecast to explore how organizations can balance innovation with responsibility. He and host Paul Muller unpack why AI represents a “new class of risk,” what it means to design privacy and governance into systems from the very beginning, and how curiosity and context fuel better decision-making with data.  They also examine the shifting role of organizations as regulators sharpen their focus on AI, the need for new tooling to ensure explainability, and how human oversight will remain essential even as automation scales.   Stay in touch with Ojas:  Ojas on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ojasrege     Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay updated on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast. 

AI can’t transform businesses if organizations aren’t prepared to embrace it. Christian Lund, Co-Founder of Templafy, joins The AI Forecast to explore thoughtful AI deployment in an organization. He and host Paul Muller dive into the realities of today’s AI landscape—from why over 40% of AI projects are likely to be canceled, to the untapped potential of document workflows as a proving ground for successful adoption. They discuss how quality and context determine whether AI truly adds value, why trust is the indefinable ingredient in scaling AI, and how integrating tools into existing workflows can ease resistance. Christian also shares his perspective on finding “low-hanging fruit” projects that drive early wins, the transformative impact AI will have on knowledge workers, and why purposeful applications focused on ROI will define the future of AI in business. Stay in touch with Christian: Christian on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christianlundcph/  +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

As part of our Women Leaders in Technology (WLIT) series on The AI Forecast, we’re joined by Avani Desai, CEO of Schellman, a leading cybersecurity firm. Each quarter, we’ll take a break from the regularly scheduled AI programming on The AI Forecast to direct our attention to this important topic in tech. Avani shares her journey from a curious kid in Orlando who loved to tinker with technology to becoming a leader in cybersecurity. She reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped her career, like her 15-year journey to accept vulnerability as a means of connection, not failure. She also shares how her leadership style—rooted in empathy, authenticity, and radical transparency (e.g., her “eye-to-eye with Desai” meetings with employees where no question is off limits)—has helped her build trust, inspire teams, and drive innovation.  To learn more about Cloudera’s Women Leaders in Technology, join the LinkedIn community and visit the home page. LinkedIn Community: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/13104138/  WLIT Website: https://www.cloudera.com/about/women-leaders-in-technology.html  And to stay in touch with Avani, follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/avanimehtadesai/ 

AI can’t transform businesses if organizations aren’t prepared to embrace it.  Donna Beasley, Chief AI Enablement Officer, joins The AI Forecast to explore thoughtful AI deployment in an organization. She and host Paul Muller dive into the challenges and opportunities of AI adoption, from ensuring data quality to driving organizational change management.  They discuss the importance of collaboration across departments, strategies for overcoming resistance, and the critical role of training and meeting individuals where they are in their openness with AI.   Stay in touch with Donna:   Donna on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/donna-beasley04349/     Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

A city can’t be smart if its systems don’t serve its citizens. Ayesha Khanna, AI advisor, entrepreneur, and CEO of Addo, joins The AI Forecast to explore how AI is reshaping the cities we live in and the lives we lead within them. She and host Paul Muller dive into the intersection of AI and urban development, where infrastructure, governance, and personalization come together to elevate the quality of life. They discuss the real-world challenges of deploying innovative city technologies, the critical role of data management, and how AI can expand access to services like education and healthcare. She also shares her journey as a technologist, her work empowering women in the industry, and why ethical, human-centered design must guide the future of AI-powered cities. Stay in touch with Ayesha:  Ayesha on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayeshakhanna/    Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

When AI needs to think faster, the architecture beneath it matters more than ever. Val Cook, Chief Software Architect at Blaize, joins The AI Forecast to unpack how today’s AI systems demand more than raw compute, but more adaptable infrastructure. He and host Paul Muller explore the critical intersection of hardware and software, the growing importance of data flow machines, and the limits of traditional architectures in real-time environments. They examine the emerging hybrid approach to AI, balancing centralized and Edge computing, and why dynamic use cases require systems that can react in the moment. Cook also emphasizes that innovation, not scale alone, will define the future of AI and that the teams that rethink the foundation will build what’s next. Stay in touch with Val: Val on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/val-cook-5a552520/   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay updated on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

When trust collapses, everything else goes with it.  Jim Brennan, Chief Product and Technical Officer at GetReal Security, joins The AI Forecast to break down one of the biggest challenges in today’s world: securing digital trust. He and host Paul Muller explore why trust is the backbone of modern business and how advancements like deepfakes, impersonation attacks, and AI-powered deception are shaking that foundation They discuss why digital trust is forged through signals like signatures and interactions, how its erosion can trigger real business fallout, and what it takes to fight back. Stay in touch with Jim: Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jibrennan/ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

As AI systems grow more powerful, so does a more profound structural concern: ownership. A handful of players now control the data, infrastructure, and models shaping global AI and, with them, the rules of access, participation, and innovation. Sean Ren, co-founder of Sahara AI, joins The AI Forecast to explore the implications of competition in the AI industry, the necessity of decentralized technology, and the challenges of data ownership. Sean shares the potential for decentralized AI to disrupt existing economic models, the risks of centralized AI for businesses, and the future of knowledge workers in an AI-driven world. Stay in touch with Sean:  Sean on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/xren7/  Sahara AI: https://saharaai.com/    Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

Jim Liddle, Chief Innovation Officer of Data Intelligence and AI at Nasuni, joins The AI Forecast to spotlight a critical obstacle to enterprise AI: messy, ungoverned data. He and host Paul Muller trace the evolution of data management and unpack why so many organizations still struggle with the basics, starting with the challenge of taming unstructured information. They explore how the absence of a unified data foundation blocks progress, how poor taxonomy erodes trust in AI, and why critical thinking, not just compute, is the missing piece in most AI strategies. Jim also looks ahead to the future of AI, tackling emerging concerns from algorithmic bias to the geopolitical implications of intelligent systems. Because in the end, if your data’s not ready, your AI won’t be either.   Stay in touch with Jim: Jim on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jimliddle/  +++ Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

In the race of not being left behind in adopting new technology—like AI—enterprises often overlook the most straightforward, strategic question: what decision are we trying to make? Cassie Kozyrkov, first and former Chief Decision Scientist at Google and founder of Kozyr, joins The AI Forecast to reframe the conversation. Her take? It’s not about the genie granting the wish—in this case, AI; it’s about the wisher.  Cassie and host Paul Muller unpack why decision-making is the real competitive edge in enterprise AI. They explore what human tendencies shape our use of AI, the cognitive costs of over-automation, the fallacy of the “unicorn” hire, and why clarity of intent is the most underrated skill in the age of generative and agentic tools. Tune in as they explore why decision intelligence is essential and how it can reshape enterprises’ perception of AI from a prediction engine to a strategic partner that only delivers value if you know what to ask.   Stay in touch with Cassie:  Cassie on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kozyrkov/  Cassie’s Website: https://www.kozyr.com/about    Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

As the conversation around job loss vs. job evolution heats up, how can we look at the glass half full? Derek Osgood, Founder and CEO of DoubleO and Ignition, joins The AI Forecast to explore how agentic AI is reshaping business workflows and reframing the conversation from replacement to augmentation. As Derek puts it, automation isn’t about erasing opportunity; it’s about redefining it. Tune in as Derek and host Paul Muller trace the evolution of automation from the Luddites to today’s AI agents, cutting through the hype to uncover where the real value lies. They unpack what non-technical teams need to harness agentic tools effectively and break down how successful AI workflows should begin small and scale with intention. Derek demystifies the job-loss narrative, showing how automation has historically created opportunity rather than erased it. Stay in touch with Derek: Derek Osgood on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/derekosgood3/ Derek’s Website: https://www.derek-osgood.com/ DoubleO AI: https://www.doubleo.ai/   Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.

The next era of business intelligence is here. Traditional dashboards and static reports give way to AI-driven systems built for faster, more informed decision-making. John Santaferraro, CEO and founder of Ferraro Consulting and host of The Digital Analyst podcast, joins The AI Forecast to share how enterprises can modernize BI to unlock real business value. Because in today’s data-rich world, turning insight into action still depends on a clear ‘story’ that helps decision-makers understand what to do next. Tune in as John and host Paul Muller explore the evolution of BI from early reporting to advanced analytics, unpacking the limits of self-service, the importance of metadata, the rise of AI copilots and cockpit-style dashboards, and the skills data teams need to lead in an AI-first world. Stay in touch with John:  John Santaferraro on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/johnsantaferraro/  The Digital Analyst Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLivd8WaRu-XkJsuP8YAtk8T1QYRYlEkD5   Ferraro Consulting: https://www.ferraroconsulting.com/    Like and subscribe to The AI Forecast to stay up to date on the latest episodes. You can watch the video version of this episode on The AI Forecast.