In this second half of their conversation, host Jerry Cuomo and Phil Gilbert pick up where they left off—moving from the craft of design to the culture that makes design thrive.

Phil shares how his work at IBM revealed that the real challenge wasn’t design talent, but organizational mindset. He explains how he and his team turned culture change into a product—earning buy-in across 300,000 employees and proving that true transformation happens when people choose to adopt new ways of working.

They also discuss the creation of the IBM Garage, the power of design thinking at scale, and how these lessons inspired Phil’s new book, Irresistible Change: A Blueprint for Earning Buy-In and Breakout Success.

Key Takeaways from Part 2 (on Culture & Change):

1. From Design to Culture — Great design can’t flourish without a culture that values empathy, collaboration, and curiosity.
2. Culture as a Product — Phil treated culture change like a product launch: define the audience, prove value, and earn adoption.
3. Outcomes Over Inputs — Change succeeds when it’s tied to measurable outcomes, not training programs or slogans.
4. The IBM Garage — A model for co-creation that brings design thinking to life with real clients and teams.
5. Earning Buy-In — Sustainable transformation is built on trust, participation, and shared purpose—not mandates.

In essence, Part 2 shows how Phil applied design principles to reshape an entire organization, culminating in the lessons captured in Irresistible Change.

#WildDucksPodcast #PhilGilbert #DesignThinking #CorporateCulture #IrresistibleChange #JerryCuomo #Leadership #Innovation

In this first of a two-part conversation, host Jerry Cuomo sits down with Phil Gilbert — entrepreneur, design leader, and the mind behind IBM’s modern design movement.

Phil takes us back to his startup roots in the 1980s, when helping professionals adopt personal computers sparked a lifelong passion for design as a force for clarity and connection. Along the way, he reflects on the thinkers who influenced him — from Alan Cooper’s persona-based design to Richard Buchanan’s “Wicked Problems in Design Thinking.”

Phil reminded us that great design scales quality, solves real human problems, and sometimes means knowing when to break the mold. Whether designing products or the organizations that design great products, this formula has proven to be a winner.

Key Takeaways from Part 1 (on Design):

1. Design as a Way to Scale Quality — Design isn’t decoration; it’s a method for making complex systems more usable, reliable, and human-centered at scale.

2. The Alan Cooper Moment — Persona-based design reframed how to build products around real people, not requirements.

3. Wicked Problems, Not Simple Fixes — Inspired by Buchanan’s 1992 paper, Phil saw design thinking as a way to address messy, evolving challenges.

4. Design Beyond Products — The same mindset that shapes great software can redesign organizations and cultures through empathy and experimentation.

5. Breaking the Mold — From early PCs to the iPhone, Phil shows that great design sometimes means knowing when to break consistency to create transformation.

In essence, Part 1 traces Phil’s evolution from software builder to design thinker, showing how design became his lifelong tool for meaningful, human-centered change.

Stay tuned for Part 2, where Jerry and Phil continue the story — exploring how design principles shape companies and inspire Phil’s new book, Irresistible Change.

#WildDucksPodcast #PhilGilbert #DesignThinking #Innovation #IrresistibleChange #JerryCuomo

In this episode of Wild Ducks, Jerry reconnects with his first programming teacher, Brent Hailpern, to explore how a simple course on Karel the Robot sparked a lifelong passion for software. They reflect on the early days at IBM’s TJ Watson Research Center, the art of programming, and today’s rise of AI code assistants. Join them for a thoughtful and lively discussion on how the tools may change, but the core discipline of coding endures.

In part two of this conversation, host Jerry Cuomo continues his discussion with Ken Kocienda, creator of iPhone’s autocorrect and author of Creative Selection. Ken reflects on his post-Apple career, including roles at Postmates, Airbnb, and co-founding his AI company, Infactory. He explores making AI-powered tools more transparent and enterprise-ready while sharing his vision for the future of human-computer interaction.

Key Takeaways:

1. AI’s next frontier lies in enterprise applications beyond consumer chatbots.
2. Transparent AI models can improve reliability and decision-making.
3. The future includes seamless, conversational interfaces for businesses and individuals alike.

* Coverart was created with the assistance of DALL·E 2 by OpenAI.
** AI Insights Agent created by Jerry, enhancing Wild Ducks conversations with contextual background highlights.
*** Podcast Music created by Mind The Gap Band - Cox, Cuomo, Haberkorn, Martin, Mosakowski, and Rodriguez

In part one of this two-part conversation, host Jerry Cuomo talks with Ken Kocienda, former Apple software engineer and author of Creative Selection: Inside Apple's Design Process During the Golden Age of Steve Jobs. Ken shares the backstory of creating the iPhone’s autocorrect feature and working closely with Steve Jobs. He reflects on the significance of blending design and technology to shape user experiences, offering insights into Apple’s innovation culture that still resonates in today’s tech landscape.

Key Takeaways:

1. Creating iPhone autocorrect required blending design with tech for seamless typing.
2. Apple’s innovation culture emphasized decisive, user-focused development.
3. Working with Steve Jobs meant delivering fast, clear, and impactful solutions.

* Coverart was created with the assistance of DALL·E 2 by OpenAI.
** AI Insights Agent created by Jerry, enhancing Wild Ducks conversations with contextual background highlights.
*** Podcast Music created by Mind The Gap Band - Cox, Cuomo, Haberkorn, Martin, Mosakowski, and Rodriguez

In this episode, host Jerry Cuomo sits down with Elizabeth Bieniek to discuss practical ways to spark innovation in corporate environments. Elizabeth shares insights from her book, Cake on Tuesday, and talks about the importance of curiosity, asking the right questions, and overcoming fears to drive meaningful change.

Key takeaways include:

• Innovation starts with action—take the first step, even if it’s imperfect, to build momentum.
• Identifying and questioning fears can reveal they’re often assumptions, not real barriers to progress.
• Authenticity and openness from leaders encourage genuine collaboration and spark great ideas within teams.

Enjoy!

In this episode, Kathryn Harrison, CEO of Magpie Collectibles, joins host Jerry Cuomo to explore how technology is transforming the collectibles industry. They discuss innovations like secure digital signatures to protect collectibles from counterfeits, leveraging AI and image recognition to streamline inventory management, and the growing role of interactive digital experiences. Kathryn shares her vision of a future where physical and digital collectibles coexist seamlessly, creating exciting new opportunities for collectors. Tune in for an insightful conversation on the future of collectibles!

Introducing "Wild Ducks," a tech podcast hosted by Jerry Cuomo. In this bonus episode, Jerry unveils the new podcast format and his latest book, "Think Artificial Intelligence." While AI remains a core focus, the podcast now explores a broader range of tech topics, featuring expert interviews and lighthearted, fictional guests. Episodes are concise, perfect for quick listens. Additionally, Jerry discusses "Think AI," a book designed to demystify AI and highlight its practical applications. Tune in to "Wild Ducks" for insightful tech discussions and grab your copy of "Think Artificial Intelligence" to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital.

In this special bonus episode, Jerry Cuomo's AI-generated avatar shares insights on the power of knowledge and the importance of building a strong social network. Learn how combining "what you know" with "who you know" can enhance personal growth and lead to a successful career. This message, created for Duke University's incoming students, emphasizes that knowledge is a team sport, and a healthy network is key to long-term success.

In this episode, Jerry Cuomo chats with IBM Fellow Aaron Baughman about the intersections of AI, sports, and technology. Aaron shares insights on AI’s role in predicting match outcomes, enhancing fan engagement, and the challenges of AI-generated content. Learn how technologies like IBM’s wastonx AI, are being applied to re-imagine how you experience sports. After you listen, be sure not to miss the US Open and ESPN Fantasy Sports to see some of these technologies in action!

Takeaways:

1. AI is transforming sports by predicting match outcomes and boosting fan engagement.
2. IBM's AI technology is overcoming challenges with content accuracy and trustworthiness.
3. AI's impact is evident in major events like the US Open and ESPN Fantasy Sports.

In this episode of the Wild Ducks podcast, host Jerry Cuomo welcomes Dr. Martin Goodson, founder of Evolution AI. They discuss the advancements in AI-powered document understanding, exploring how Evolution AI's innovative models merge computer vision and natural language processing to revolutionize data extraction. Martin shares insights from his journey in AI, the challenges of document analysis, and the future of AI in automating complex tasks. Tune in to learn how AI can potentially read and understand documents better than humans.Don't miss this fascinating conversation!

In this episode of the Wild Ducks podcast, host Jerry Cuomo continues his insightful conversation with IT industry legend Irving Wladawsky-Berger. They explore the transformative impacts of AI and the internet, discuss cybersecurity challenges, and the importance of digital identities. Listen in as they share experiences and ideas on evolving technologies and their social and economic implications. Tune in for practical insights and a deeper understanding of how we can navigate and secure our digital future. Don't miss this engaging discussion between two tech pioneers!

Welcome to the Wild Ducks podcast! Join host Jerry Cuomo as he explores trending technology topics with a personal and behind-the-scenes touch. In this premiere episode, Jerry chats with Irving Wladawsky-Berger, a legend at IBM and a research affiliate at MIT Sloan. They discuss the evolution of the internet and AI, comparing their impacts on technology and society. Irving shares insights from his career, including spearheading IBM's transition to the internet and open systems. Don't miss this engaging conversation with a true innovator. Tune in for part one of "Internet vs. AI" and learn more about the future of technology.

Join host Jerry Cuomo where he sits down with George London, the Chief Technology Officer at Upwave. George shares his unique perspective on the evolving role of AI, exploring the classics and spinning the latest hits in the AI rotation. This episode explores the innovative use of predictive and generative AI models at Upwave, a platform dedicated to enhancing the effectiveness of brand advertising. Tune in to hear George share insights from his role as CTO, drawing on his extensive AI experience with music recommendation systems, hedge fund analysis, and economic forecasting. He discusses the impact of AI on consumer behavior and outlines his strategies for mitigating AI hallucinations.

Key Takeaways:

1. George London explores how AI improves advertising by personalizing interactions and enhancing brand effectiveness with predictive and generative models.
2. George's experience music recommendation and hedge fund analysis informs his approach to understanding individual preferences, which is crucial for effective marketing without bias.
3. George addresses the importance of mitigating AI hallucinations to maintain accuracy in AI-generated content, ensuring the reliability of marketing analytics.

References:    

• Watch George London discuss the role of AI in advertising in more depth in this informative YouTube video: George London on AI in Advertising.
• Read more about George London's thoughts on embracing AI in media and advertising in this detailed article from Street Fight Magazine: Embracing AI in Media and Advertising.

Host Jerry Cuomo is joined by Matt Beane, a pioneer in the field of future work and skills development. A professor at the University of California at Santa Barbara and affiliated with both Stanford's Digital Economy Lab and MIT's Initiative on Digital Economy, Matt shares insights from his new book, "The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines." Listen as Matt discusses the integration of AI into work spaces and its impacts on skill development. He combines a unique blend of real-world experience and academic insight to explain how we can harness AI to enhance human skills rather than replace them. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the evolving relationship between humans and technology in the workplace.

Key Takeaways:

1. AI as a Partner: Matt Beane emphasizes using AI to augment human skills, not replace them, fostering a collaborative rather than competitive relationship.
2. Digital Apprenticeship: Introduces the concept of digital apprenticeship as a method to leverage AI for practical and effective skill development in the workplace.
3. Technology Integration Challenges: Discusses the subtle challenges in integrating technology into work processes, which often benefit experts but could disadvantage novices, highlighting a need for balanced approaches.

Book Order Information:

Beane, Matt. The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines.

The book can be purchased on Amazon at this link: The Skill Code on Amazon.

Host Jerry Cuomo explores the innovative technique of Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) with expert guest Dr. Lucia Larise Stavarache. RAG is transforming how AI interacts with data by utilizing existing documents without the need for extensive training cycles. This method proves invaluable for handling sensitive or proprietary information and adapting to rapidly changing data like current events.

Join Jerry and Larise as they discuss the practical applications of RAG in various industries and its impact on AI development. Larise shares her experiences and the advantages of RAG, from simplifying legal documents to engaging with AI in conversations grounded in specific document content. Whether you're a tech enthusiast or an industry professional, this episode offers a unique perspective on the capabilities and future of AI technologies.

Takeaways:

• RAG enables AI to utilize existing documents for learning, bypassing the need or complete training cycles, which is cost-effective and efficient.
• This technology allows for innovative interactions with AI, such as asking documents to summarize themselves or clarify complex information in simpler terms.

References:

• Link to Demo Video
• ChatDoc: Try Chat with Documents for Free

Listen in as host Jerry Cuomo sits down with Robert Plotkin, a renowned patent attorney, AI book author, and co-founder of Blueshift IP. With a rich background that bridges technology and law, Robert shares insights into the crucial role of intellectual property in the era of AI. The discussion spans the impact of AI on innovation, patent law, and the future of AI-generated works. As someone deeply familiar with the intersection of technology and intellectual property, Robert's expertise offers listeners an encouraging perspective on navigating the complexities of AI and patents. This conversation not only sheds light on the importance of securing IP for technological advancements but also explores the potential of AI to revolutionize the practice of law itself. Join us for a thoughtful exploration of how AI continues to shape the landscape of intellectual property and innovation.

Key Takeaways:

1. Intellectual property secures companies' freedom of action and demonstrates value, crucial in the dynamic tech landscape influenced by AI.
2. AI-generated works can indeed be protected by IP law, expanding the scope for innovation and creative expression.
3. The use of AI in law, especially in patent drafting and prior art searching, enhances efficiency and productivity in legal practices.

References:

BlueShift IP website

The Genie in the Machine by Robert Plotkin

* Coverart was created with the assistance of DALL·E 2 by OpenAI.
** Music for the podcast created by Mind The Gap Band - Cox, Cuomo, Haberkorn, Martin, Mosakowski, and Rodriguez

In this episode of The Art of AI Podcast, host Jerry Cuomo is joined by Alex Back, founder and CEO of Couch.com, for an engaging discussion on how AI is revolutionizing the furniture shopping experience. Discover how Couch.com uses AI to simplify the daunting task of buying a new couch, making it a more enjoyable and informed process. Tune in for insights into the intersection of home furnishing technology and AI, and learn about the future of online furniture shopping from a visionary in the industry.

Episode takeaways:

1. Revolutionizing Furniture Shopping with AI - Alex Back introduces Couch.com's AI-driven approach to simplify furniture shopping, combining online convenience with the tactile satisfaction of brick-and-mortar store experiences.
2. Custom AI for Personalized Recommendations - Couch.com is developing a custom AI model to offer personalized furniture recommendations, ensuring customers find the perfect match for their specific needs and preferences.
3. Democratizing Furniture Retail - By integrating data from both online and physical stores, Couch.com aims to democratize furniture retail, giving smaller shops a fair chance in the digital marketplace.

References:

Couch.com eBook

Basics of Buying a Couch

* Coverart was created with the assistance of DALL·E 2 by OpenAI.
** Music for the podcast created by Mind The Gap Band - Cox, Cuomo, Haberkorn, Martin, Mosakowski, and Rodriguez

In this episode of the Art of AI podcast, host Jerry Cuomo engages with Eniko Rozsa, a Distinguished Engineer at IBM and a Fellow at the World Economic Forum's AI Alliance, to discuss the transformative impact of generative AI in customer support. Eniko brings over a decade of experience in building AI agents and shares her journey from developing her first chatbot to leveraging today's sophisticated generative AI models for enhancing customer care. As they examine the shift from traditional AI approaches to the nuanced capabilities of generative AI, listeners will gain insights into how AI is revolutionizing customer interactions, providing hyper-personalized experiences, and improving the efficiency of contact centers. Tune in to discover the challenges, breakthroughs, and future possibilities of AI in customer support, and hear Eniko's unique perspective on the evolving landscape of AI technologies.

Key Takeaways:

1. Generative AI significantly improves customer support by offering more personalized and contextually aware interactions, as detailed by Eniko Rozsa.
2. Responsible development of AI is crucial, focusing on data privacy, security, and transparency to build trust in AI-enhanced customer services.
3. The evolution from simple chatbots to advanced AI systems demonstrates a substantial leap in AI's ability to handle complex customer service tasks effectively.

References:

1. "Chatbots vs. Humans in Customer Service," Weply Blog, June 24, 2021.
2. "Revolutionizing Customer Service with Generative AI," Wall Street Journal, January 25, 2024, featuring Salesforce AI CEO Clara Shin.
3. "Impact of Generative AI on Customer Service" by Rosane Giovis and Eniko Rozsa, CMSWire, November 14, 2023.

* Coverart was created with the assistance of DALL·E 2 by OpenAI.
** Music for the podcast created by Mind The Gap Band - Cox, Cuomo, Haberkorn, Martin, Mosakowski, and Rodriguez

In this first episode of a two-part series, hosted by DJ, the AI chatbot, with guests Jerry Cuomo and Kevin Yu, their conversation explores the intersection of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Site Reliability Engineering (SRE) in promoting sustainable IT operations.

You can catch Part 2 on Kevin's "Making of the SRE Omelette" feed.

Jerry discusses the complexities of AI, tracing its progression from machine learning to advanced stages like generative AI and large language models such as ChatGPT. While Kevin, provides insights into the SRE field, underscoring its significance in offering outstanding user experiences and advocating for sustainable methods.

This episode, a unique blend of "Art of AI" and "Making of the SRE Omelette," offers listeners insights into how AI and SRE collaborate to elevate and augment the efficiency and sustainability of our technology environment. The dialogue exploresthe critical importance of a forward-thinking and intelligent application of AI, its influence on energy usage, and the crucial role of data in refining SRE and sustainability practices. Be sure to listen to this episode for a thorough exploration of these vital subjects and join us for the complete series to deepen your comprehension of AI's impact in creating a sustainable technological future.

Oh... and be sure to catch Part 2 on Kevin's "Making of the SRE Omelette" feed.

* Coverart was created with the assistance of DALL·E 2 by OpenAI.
** Music for the podcast created by Mind The Gap Band - Cox, Cuomo, Haberkorn, Martin, Mosakowski, and Rodriguez