In this episode, Kate vanderVoort, founder and CEO of Social Mediology and the AI Success Lab speaks with Michael Stelzner, the CEO and founder of Social Media Examiner and host of the AI Explored Podcast. Michael is a pioneer in social media marketing and a leading voice in the integration of AI in marketing. Together, they discuss how AI is transforming marketing strategies, reshaping content creation, and addressing some of the challenges marketers are facing in adopting AI. Michael shares actionable insights into leveraging AI tools, enhancing creativity, and staying ahead in the rapidly changing digital marketing landscape.

• Michael’s Background and Journey Michael shares his entrepreneurial journey, starting with his early career in writing and creative agency work, leading to the founding of Social Media Examiner in 2009.

  • Social Media Examiner’s evolution from a blog to a leading marketing resource, conference, and podcast platform.
  • His recent pivot into AI, launching the AI Explored Podcast and the AI Business Society in 2024.

• Leading the AI Transformation at Social Media Examiner

  • Why Michael hesitated to jump into AI after his experience with crypto and blockchain.
  • The creation of an internal AI committee and a company-wide AI policy to guide ethical and productive use of AI tools.
  • Mandatory AI training and how every team member reports on their AI usage weekly to integrate it into their workflow.

• AI’s Impact on Marketing and Content Creation

  • AI as a strategic advisor: Training AI tools to reflect company values and assist with decision-making.
  • Examples of AI enhancing creativity: Custom-trained models that generate on-brand emails, match customer testimonials, and produce innovative marketing campaigns.
  • The role of AI in personalizing content and hyper-segmenting audiences.

• Challenges and Future of AI in Marketing

  • Overcoming fears of synthetic content and maintaining authenticity in marketing.
  • Addressing marketer overwhelm with practical, incremental approaches to adopting AI.
  • Predictions for the future: AI agents in customer service, hyper-personalization, and how AI will redefine consumer engagement on social media.

• Michael’s Perspective on Social Media’s Future with AI

  • The risk of synthetic content tuning out audiences and how marketers can combat it with authenticity and storytelling.
  • The balance between leveraging AI for efficiency and maintaining a human touch in marketing.

• Exciting Innovations to Watch

  • AI-generated video and audio agents for customer service and sales.
  • Tools like Opus Clip and Riverside for creating short-form video content from long-form recordings.
  • Advanced AI tools for analyzing open-ended data and crafting data-driven strategies.

• Social Media Examiner: www.socialmediaexaminer.com

• AI Explored Podcast on YouTube

• Kate's interview on the AI Explored Podcast: View here

• 2024 Generative AI Marketing Industry Report: Download here

• Connect with Michael on: LinkedIn, X (Twitter), Facebook

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe to The AI Grapple on your favourite podcast platform and leave a review. We would love to see you in the AI Success Lab Facebook group too!

Welcome to another exciting episode of The AI Grapple! Today, host Kate vanderVoort dives into the world of AI companionship with the brilliant Sreyna Rath, founder and CEO of Jaimee. Jaimee is not just another AI app - it’s an empathetic digital companion designed by women, for women. It’s there to support, uplift, and connect in ways that feel human, authentic, and meaningful.

Sreyna shares her incredible journey, from escaping the Khmer Rouge regime as a Cambodian refugee to becoming a leader in the tech world. With over 17 years of experience in digital innovation, including over a decade at Accenture, she’s now channeling her expertise into building Jaimee, a groundbreaking AI platform that challenges gender bias and promotes inclusivity in technology.

This episode is packed with insights on AI ethics, the evolving role of AI in human relationships, and the importance of creating tech that benefits everyone. Whether you're passionate about technology, intrigued by the future of human-AI interaction, or looking for inspiration, this episode has something for you.

Key Highlights from the Conversation:

1. The Inspiration Behind Jaimee:

   • Sreyna reveals how her experience with gender-biased responses in early AI tools like ChatGPT inspired her to create Jaimee, a digital companion built to prioritise women’s needs and perspectives.

2. A Unique AI Experience:

   • Jaimee is designed to be more than just a chatbot—it’s a companion you can laugh with, vent to, and even seek advice from. With backstories and relatable personas, Jaimee fosters authentic emotional connections.

3. Ethical AI Design:

   • Learn how Jaimee is addressing the ethical challenges of AI companionship, from safeguarding user privacy to creating frameworks that ensure safety and inclusivity.

4. Sreyna’s Personal Journey:

   • Hear Sreyna’s story of resilience, from fleeing Cambodia as a child to becoming a trailblazer in the tech industry. She shares how her upbringing shaped her drive to break barriers and create meaningful change.

5. Empowering Women in AI:

   • Sreyna discusses her mission to close the gender data gap and make AI more inclusive by encouraging women to join the tech industry. Jaimee isn’t just an app—it’s a movement toward equitable technology.

6. Addressing Social Concerns:

   • Sreyna tackles misconceptions about AI companionship and explains how Jaimee is designed to enhance, not replace, human relationships by offering a safe, judgment-free space for emotional release.

7. AI’s Potential for Mental Wellbeing:

   • Discover how Jaimee can act as a sounding board to help users decompress, gain perspective, and improve their interactions in real-world relationships.

8. Privacy and Security:

   • With encrypted data, no PII storage, and strict privacy measures, Jaimee ensures that users feel safe sharing their thoughts and experiences.

9. Future Goals for Jaimee:

   • Learn about Jaimee’s upcoming launch, how you can sign up for the beta, and Sreyna’s vision to make AI companionship mainstream, just like Bumble revolutionised online dating.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Jaimee Website: www.jaimee.ai
• Connect with Sreyna Rath on LinkedIn: Sreyna’s LinkedIn Profile
• Sign Up for the Beta: Join the Jaimee Waitlist
• Instagram: Jaimee on Instagram

Thank you for tuning in to this episode of The AI Grapple! If you enjoyed this conversation with Sreyna Rath, be sure to subscribe and explore our other episodes featuring thought leaders shaping the future of AI. Don’t forget to leave us a review on your favourite podcast platform - it helps more listeners discover the show and join the conversation.

For more insights and updates, visit The AI Grapple website and follow us on social media. See you next time!

In this episode of The AI Grapple, host Kate vanderVoort sits down with Alberto Chierici to explore the intersection of AI, ethics, and humanity. Drawing on his extensive experience as an entrepreneur, machine learning engineer, and AI advisor, Alberto shares insights into how businesses can responsibly adopt AI while staying true to human-centered values.

From his early days building actuarial models to his current work at the Gradient Institute, Alberto brings a wealth of practical and philosophical perspectives to the table. Whether you’re a business leader, AI enthusiast, or simply curious about how technology is reshaping the world, this conversation is packed with actionable advice and thought-provoking ideas.

What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

1. Alberto’s Journey:

   • How his early career as an actuary led to his passion for building AI systems that serve humanity.
   • The pivotal moments that inspired him to focus on AI ethics and human impact.

2. AI and Business Transformation:

   • The importance of starting with “why” when integrating AI into your business.
   • Why aligning AI strategies with core business values is crucial for success.

3. Practical Steps for Ethical AI Implementation:

   • Alberto’s five-step roadmap: knowledge, organizational structure, data quality, risk management, and ethics.
   • How leaders can upskill their teams and rethink operational processes to embrace AI responsibly.

4. The Promise and Perils of AI Decision-Making:

   • Real-world examples of where AI has succeeded in improving safety and efficiency—and where it has failed due to bias or poor implementation.
   • The growing role of agentic AI and the need for thoughtful, intentional design in automation.

5. AI’s Impact on Humanity:

   • How AI can reshape the way we work, fostering autonomy and connection—or creating new challenges.
   • Why balancing innovation with human values is the key to sustainable technological progress.

Connect with Alberto Chierici:

• LinkedIn: Alberto Chierici
• Learn more about the Gradient Institute: gradientinstitute.org

If you enjoyed this episode, subscribe to The AI Grapple on your favourite podcast platform, and don’t forget to leave a review! For more insights on ethical and transformative AI, visit gradientinstitute.org or follow Alberto on LinkedIn.