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.

In this thought-provoking episode of The AI Grapple, host Kate vanderVoort sits down with Dr. Harvey Castro MD, a pioneer in the integration of artificial intelligence into healthcare. Dr. Castro shares his remarkable journey from developing life-saving medical apps to becoming a global advocate for AI's transformative potential in healthcare. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping patient care, tackling global challenges like workforce shortages, and addressing ethical dilemmas such as data privacy and decision-making biases.

If you're a healthcare professional, business leader, or tech enthusiast, this episode provides a roadmap to understanding and leveraging AI in the ever-evolving healthcare landscape.

Key Highlights:

1. Dr. Castro’s Journey to AI in Healthcare:

   • His inspiration to create the first medication-dosing app during the iPhone's early days.
   • Writing a book on ChatGPT’s applications in healthcare within weeks of discovering the tool.

2. Innovations in AI and Patient Care:

   • Using generative AI to create personalised educational tools like colouring books, songs and comic strips for children with medical conditions.
   • AI's role in enabling doctors to communicate with patients in different languages and cultural contexts.

3. Hyper-Personalisation and Predictive Medicine:

   • How AI enables personalised medication and treatment plans tailored to a patient’s genetics.
   • Examples like predictive analytics for Parkinson's disease, offering early detection years before symptoms appear.

4. Ethical and Practical Challenges:

   • Data privacy concerns with AI in healthcare, including lessons from cases like 23andMe.
   • The importance of maintaining human oversight in AI decision-making, especially in critical medical contexts.

5. AI as a Partner in Healthcare:

   • The future of AI-powered robots assisting with repetitive tasks, freeing up doctors and nurses to focus on human connections.
   • The potential for AI to enhance empathy and improve communication skills in healthcare professionals.

6. The Future of Healthcare with AI:

   • How wearable tech and voice analysis could shift healthcare from reactive to proactive.
   • The promise of technologies like AlphaFold for accelerating drug development and reducing costs.

About Our Guest: Dr. Harvey Castro MD aka Dr. GPT, is an esteemed innovator at the forefront of artificial intelligence (AI) in healthcare. As a physician, entrepreneur, and consultant, Dr. Castro harnesses AI to transform healthcare practices, improve patient outcomes, and streamline operations. Discover his journey and how his keynote speeches illuminate AI's potential to revolutionise the healthcare industry. Join us in envisioning a future where technology and healthcare merge to enhance the quality of care.

Where to Connect with Dr. Castro:

• Website: www.harveycastromd.com
• Social Media: @HarveyCastroMD (available on all platforms)
• YouTube Channel: Harvey Castro MD
• TEDx Talk: How AI and humans can revolutionize medicine together | Harvey Castro MD

Listen now to discover how AI is revolutionising healthcare and what it means for the future of medicine. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and share this episode with your network. For more insights, visit The AI Grapple website or follow us on social media.

In this episode of The AI Grapple Podcast, host Kate vanderVoort dives into the transformative journey of Lucas Meadowcroft, a pioneer in IT and artificial intelligence. Lucas shares his evolution from an IT support technician to the co-founder of groundbreaking ventures like CROFTI, Tribu, and Pivot. The conversation explores how AI is shaping the business landscape, from automation of mundane tasks to creating personalised, efficient systems. Together, Kate and Lucas discuss the challenges, opportunities, and ethical considerations of integrating AI into businesses, offering valuable insights for anyone looking to stay ahead in the digital revolution.

1. Lucas’s Journey into AI and Technology:

   • How a chance IT internship shaped Lucas's career.
   • The evolution from providing IT support to pioneering AI-driven solutions.
   • Early AI projects and the development of custom large language models before the ChatGPT era.

2. Unlocking the Power of AI in Business:

   • Streamlining workflows by automating repetitive tasks like data entry and email triage.
   • Building knowledge bases and tailored AI models for business ecosystems.
   • Examples of transforming inefficiencies into opportunities for growth and innovation.

3. Navigating Challenges in AI Adoption:

   • Why data quality is crucial for successful AI implementation.
   • Overcoming leadership resistance and addressing fears about change.
   • Educating teams and creating a culture of curiosity and experimentation around AI.

4. The Human-Centred Approach to AI:

   • Ensuring employees feel empowered during the transition to AI-led systems.
   • Reimagining roles and encouraging personal growth as automation redefines traditional tasks.
   • Balancing efficiency with a commitment to employee wellbeing and societal impact.

5. Future Trends in AI and Robotics:

   • Predictions for the integration of robotics in everyday life by 2030.
   • The ethical implications of advanced AI systems and their impact on data privacy.
   • How businesses can start small with niche AI tools while preparing for broader adoption.

• Start small: Use AI tools to solve niche problems and build trust within your team.
• Focus on outcomes: Identify inefficiencies and work backwards to create AI-driven solutions.
• Educate your organisation: Foster a culture of learning and experimentation around AI technologies.
• Protect your data: Keep your AI ecosystem secure within trusted platforms like Microsoft, Google, or Amazon.

• Website: crofti.com
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lucasmeadowcroft

Don’t miss this episode’s insights on how AI can revolutionise your business. Subscribe to The AI Grapple Podcast on your favourite platform and share your thoughts on how AI is impacting your work. Let’s continue the conversation!

In this important episode of The AI Grapple, host Kate vanderVoort, Founder and CEO of Social Mediology and The AI Success Lab, sits down with Stephanie Worrell, a communications expert, professor, and the visionary founder of AI-MPOWERU. Stephanie is on a mission to help families and educators prepare for an AI-driven world, equipping parents and teachers with the knowledge and resources to guide children in using AI safely and positively. Her expertise as the author of Raising AI-Smart Kids brings practical and powerful advice to parents seeking to navigate the impact of AI on their children’s lives.

1. Stephanie’s Journey into AI Education

   • Stephanie shares her career journey in communications and education, explaining how she became passionate about AI’s role in children’s development and the motivation behind launching AI-MPOWERU.

2. Practical Tips from Raising AI-Smart Kids

   • Stephanie offers actionable strategies from her book on how parents can safely introduce AI to young children, discussing the best age to start AI conversations, setting boundaries, and using AI as a collaborative tool for education rather than a shortcut for answers.

3. AI’s Role in Creative Thinking and Critical Skills

   • A key theme of the discussion is how AI can impact children’s creativity and problem-solving skills. Stephanie advises on balancing AI’s convenience with opportunities for kids to develop their own critical thinking abilities and creativity without over-relying on technology.

4. Navigating AI’s Risks: Privacy, Safety, and Bias

   • Stephanie addresses parents’ concerns about data privacy, bias in AI, and the potential for misinformation. She emphasizes the importance of teaching children to question AI-generated content, be cautious with personal information, and understand the biases that can exist within AI systems.

5. The Role of Schools and Educators in AI Preparedness

   • With a deep background in education, Stephanie discusses how schools can support AI literacy, helping students build the skills they’ll need in a technology-driven world. She touches on the current challenges schools face in policy development and ways parents can engage with educators to foster a cohesive approach to AI education.

6. The Future of AI in Learning and Assessment

   • Stephanie explores how AI could revolutionize personalized learning, assisting educators in addressing students' individual needs and reducing time spent on administrative tasks. She and Kate discuss the potential for AI to support educators in creating more engaging, tailored, and inclusive learning environments.

7. Encouraging a Positive and Balanced Approach to AI

   • Wrapping up, Stephanie shares her optimistic view on AI’s future, highlighting its potential to enhance lives if used responsibly. She encourages parents and educators to stay informed and proactive, using AI as an enhancement to life and learning rather than a replacement for human interaction.

• AI-MPOWERU – Stephanie’s platform for AI education resources for parents and educators (www.aimpoweru.com)
• Raising AI-Smart Kids – Stephanie’s guide for parents on introducing AI in age-appropriate ways.

Tune in to this episode for an essential guide on navigating AI with children, featuring practical advice, real-world examples, and expert insights to empower parents and teachers alike.

In this insightful episode of The AI Grapple, host Kate VanderVoort is joined by Cat Matson, the dynamic CEO of Impactful Presenters. Cat is an expert in helping business owners and leaders communicate with authority, authenticity, and confidence. With her extensive background in digital transformation, including a notable tenure as Brisbane’s Chief Digital Officer, Cat brings a wealth of knowledge to the conversation, particularly on how AI is shaping the way we interact, work, and lead in business.

Throughout this engaging discussion, Kate and Cat explore some of the most pressing questions facing today’s business professionals in a world increasingly influenced by AI. They cover:

• The Parallels Between AI and Social Media’s Rise Cat draws fascinating comparisons between the rapid adoption of AI and the early days of social media. She reflects on how social media democratised communication but also led to unintended consequences, such as misinformation and privacy concerns. Could AI be following a similar path? And what lessons can we learn to better navigate this new digital frontier?

• AI’s Role in the Future of Business and Communication As more businesses adopt AI for everything from writing marketing copy to generating business strategies, Cat emphasises the importance of intent. Rather than simply replacing human effort, AI should be used to enhance creativity, productivity, and decision-making. Cat shares practical examples of how AI can support business owners in being more effective without sacrificing authenticity.

• The Importance of Authenticity in an AI-Driven World As a speaking coach, Cat has seen firsthand how important it is for professionals to retain their unique voice, even when using AI to assist with content creation. She discusses how to strike a balance between efficiency and staying true to your personal brand, offering strategies to ensure AI doesn’t dilute what makes you, you.

• The Future of Social Media and AI’s Impact Kate and Cat delve into the evolving role of social media, questioning whether AI might cause it to lose relevance. With distrust in social platforms growing and AI creating deep fakes and manipulated content, will people continue to engage in the same way? The pair explore how AI is pushing the boundaries of digital interaction and what this could mean for the future of communication.

• AI as a Learning Tool A particularly exciting part of the conversation is around AI’s potential in education. Cat and Kate discuss the benefits of using AI to personalise learning experiences, especially for neurodivergent individuals. From customising content to suit individual learning styles to creating innovative ways to explain difficult concepts, AI’s impact on education could be profound.

• Balancing Humanity and Technology At the heart of the conversation is the question of what makes us human. Cat reflects on how AI can, ironically, free us to be more human by automating mundane tasks and giving us more time to focus on what really matters – creativity, connection, and meaningful work. However, she also cautions against the risk of losing critical thinking and self-awareness as we rely more on AI for daily tasks.

Key Takeaways:

• AI offers immense potential to enhance productivity, but it must be used intentionally to avoid replacing what makes human effort valuable.
• Authenticity is key in communication – even when AI assists in content creation, it’s vital to maintain your personal voice and brand.
• Social media may be losing relevance as AI shapes digital interactions, but it also opens up new possibilities for business and personal engagement.
• AI’s role in education is set to grow, with opportunities for personalised learning and support for neurodivergent students.
• Despite its rapid development, AI should be approached with caution – it’s crucial to ensure that it serves to enhance human experience, not replace it.

Links and Resources Mentioned:

• Learn more about Cat Matson and her work at Impactful Presenters
• Tune in to Cat’s podcast, Speaking with Confidence
• Connect with Cat on LinkedIn

Join us for this thought-provoking conversation as we grapple with the implications of AI on our professional and personal lives, and explore how to stay ahead of the curve in this fast-evolving space.

In this episode of The AI Grapple, host Kate VanderVoort sits down with Rachel Zinman - a seasoned yogi, ashram founder and best-selling author, and also an award-winning musician and a social media mentor. She has seamlessly blended the ancient wisdom of yoga with the cutting-edge technology of AI, creating a unique online yoga ashram that supports teachers and practitioners worldwide.

Rachel discusses how she uses AI in her business and the opportunities it presents for yoga teachers and small businesses. She shares her journey of incorporating AI into her work and the benefits it brings, such as helping with marketing strategies, creating yoga sequences, and generating design options for ads. Rachel also explores the impact of AI on creativity and the importance of maintaining the human element in business interactions. The conversation touches on privacy concerns and the evolving nature of AI in various industries. The conversation explores the potential of AI in various fields, including yoga teaching, music and art. It discusses the use of AI-generated visuals in music promotion and the emergence of AI art communities on Instagram. The discussion highlights the balance between human connection and AI technology and offers insights into using AI tools effectively while maintaining authenticity.

Key Highlights:

• Rachel’s Background: Rachel Zinman discusses her extensive experience in yoga, music, and mentoring. She explains how she has incorporated AI into her online yoga ashram to support yoga teachers and practitioners worldwide.

• AI in the Yoga Industry: Rachel explores how AI is being used to streamline business operations, create marketing strategies, and even assist with creative endeavours like music production and art. She emphasises the importance of maintaining the integrity of traditional practices while using modern tools.

• The Creative Process with AI: Rachel shares her experiences with AI-generated art and music, discussing the potential of AI to unlock new creative possibilities while also addressing the challenges of preserving originality and authenticity.

• Ethical Considerations: The conversation touches on the ethical dilemmas posed by AI, especially in the realms of intellectual property and data privacy. Rachel offers her thoughts on balancing technological advancement with respect for personal and creative boundaries.

• Practical Advice: For those new to AI, Rachel provides practical tips on how to get started with AI tools for marketing, content creation, and business development. She highlights specific platforms like ChatGPT, Microsoft Designer, and Lumen5, sharing how she uses them in her work.

Takeaways:

• AI can be a powerful tool in the wellness industry, but it’s crucial to use it in ways that enhance rather than replace the human touch.
• Personalisation and authenticity remain key, even when leveraging advanced technology like AI.
• The integration of AI in creative processes can lead to amazing innovations, but it’s important to remain mindful of maintaining originality and ethical standards.
• AI is evolving rapidly, and it’s essential for small businesses and practitioners to stay informed and adaptive to these changes to remain competitive.

Important Links:

• Rachel's Website: www.rachelzinmanyoga.com Explore Rachel's online yoga ashram, where she blends traditional yoga teachings with modern technology.

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rachelyogi https://www.instagram.com/subwaybhaktis https://www.instagram.com/gem_aicreator

• AI Tools Mentioned:

  • ChatGPT - For content creation and personalized marketing strategies.
  • Microsoft Designer - For creating professional graphics and social media visuals.
  • Lumen5 - For turning blog posts and other written content into engaging videos.