How AI Can Earn Trust Without Becoming A Black Box with Ken Fine, CEO of Affinity

Strong decision-making systems are built when data quality, human behavior, and trust are treated as inseparable.

In this episode, Ken Fine, CEO of Affinity, shares how his career path from naval engineering and physics to enterprise SaaS leadership shaped his thinking about data, systems, and decision-making. He reflects on designing high-stakes systems in the Navy, applying behavioral economics at Financial Engines, and learning how to separate signal from noise at Medallia. Ken explains why differentiated data matters more than algorithms alone, how speed and accuracy work together to build trust, and why transparency is essential as AI becomes more embedded in workflows. He also discusses leadership, emphasizing accountability balanced with empathy, and introduces his “nail it, then scale it” framework for building sustainable companies.

Tune in and learn how data, trust, and human judgment come together to power better decisions at scale.
Resources:

• Connect with and follow Ken Fine on LinkedIn.
• Follow Affinity.co on LinkedIn and explore their website.