AI Revolution Digest

AI Revolution Digest

AI Revolution Digest is hosted by Jeslyn Jerota, a business students from ESSEC Business School passionate about making AI accessible to future business leaders. Through real-world examples, expert insights, and emerging trends, they explore how AI shapes business strategy and decision-making. Designed for non-technical business students, the podcast helps you understand AI’s impact, think strategically, and engage confidently in projects, presentations, and interviews. Stay ahead of the curve—no code, just strategy.

  1. The First Female Spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on AI, Leadership & Failure

    Apr 27

    The First Female Spokesperson of the Armed Forces of the Philippines on AI, Leadership & Failure

    What happens when AI meets real-world command and control? In this episode of AI Revolution Digest, Jeslyn Jerota sits down with Colonel Francel Padilla—Signal Corps officer, cybersecurity expert, and the first female spokesperson in the 88-year history of the Armed Forces of the Philippines. From pioneering as one of the first female cadets to completing full military training, to leading in cyber and communications (C4S), Colonel Padilla shares what leadership actually looks like in high-stakes environments. We go beyond the buzzwords to explore: Why data sovereignty is not about location—but control The real limits of AI in decision-making How trust, ownership, and mission clarity outperform systems under pressure This conversation is not about technology. It’s about what happens when technology fails and what great leaders do next. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trust in AI 02:25 Colonel Francel's Journey to the Military 05:20 Data Sovereignty and Cybersecurity 07:52 Planning for Unexpected Failures 10:25 AI in Decision Making 13:09 Motivating Teams in Uncertain Times 15:46 Building Trust in Teams 18:22 Leadership Styles and Accountability 21:06 Women in the Military 23:35 The Evolution of Female Leadership 26:10 Advice to Younger Self 28:38 Family and Career Balance 31:28 Choosing the Right Military Branch 34:02 The Importance of Human Skills in Technology 36:19 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

    41 min
  2. “Something WILL Go Wrong” — What Special Forces Teach About Leadership

    Apr 6

    “Something WILL Go Wrong” — What Special Forces Teach About Leadership

    When we talk about AI in the workplace, the conversation usually centers on technology. Better models.Faster systems.Smarter automation. But Professor Marco Tulio Zanini—leadership researcher at FGV and author of A Ponta da Lança (The Tip of the Spear)—argues something deeper. AI doesn’t fail first. People do. In his research, Zanini studied elite Brazilian units like: BOPE (Special Police Operations Battalion) CORE (Special Resources Coordination) COT (Tactical Operations Command) —alongside U.S. teams like SWAT and the Marines. These are teams operating in environments where failure is immediate and often irreversible. And yet, their performance doesn’t come from better systems. It comes from something intangible: Trust. Purpose. And a shared sense of mission. Here lies the paradox: AI helps us optimize decisions. But it cannot replace the human relationships that make those decisions work under pressure. Elite teams don’t rely on rigid processes or perfect plans. They rely on autonomy.Shared leadership.And the ability to act in uncertainty. In business, we assume better technology will solve complexity. AI can scale execution. But it cannot create trust. And in the end, that may be the difference between teams that perform and teams that fail. Website: https://www.marcotuliozanini.com.br Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Leadership and Failure 01:07 Professor Zanini's Background and Focus on Uncertainty 01:50 Research on Military Police BOPE in Brazil 02:42 Motivating Teams Under Extreme Uncertainty 03:34 Symbolic Motivation and Purpose in Military Units 05:11 Leadership and Sacrifice in Special Forces 08:00 Shared Leadership and Preparing for Disruption 09:25 Communication and Coordination in High-Risk Missions 12:56 Managing Multicultural Teams and Cultural Intelligence 15:57 Building Trust and Reliability in Teams 17:53 Trust as an Operational Necessity 20:21 Learning from Ordinary Life in Special Operations 22:19 Humility, Accountability, and Leadership Growth 26:55 Measuring Leadership and Mindset in Military vs. Corporate 32:14 Cultural Differences and Effective Communication 34:07 Frameworks for Leading Diverse Teams 36:57 Understanding Power Dynamics and Context 37:45 The Importance of Listening and Learning 38:41 Humility and the Challenges of Leadership 41:53 Fun Rapid Fire: Personal Preferences 43:08 Favorite Songs and Personal Insights 43:52 Research and Contact Information 44:47 Reflections on Destiny and Leadership 45:43 Closing Remarks and Farewell

    45 min
  3. What if AI isn’t the revolution? Culture is.

    Jan 8

    What if AI isn’t the revolution? Culture is.

    We like to talk about AI as if it’s some unstoppable tidal wave. But what if the real lever of change isn’t the technology, it’s the culture it enters? In this episode of AI Revolution Digest, I sit down with Professor Carmen Pires Migueles , who has spent her life asking what really moves organizations forward: systems or people? Professor Migueles has seen it all, from the boardrooms of Petrobras, Transpetro, and Citibank, to public office as Municipal Secretary of Culture, Duque de Caxias. She holds a PhD in Sociology of Organizations from Sophia University in Tokyo and a postdoc from the Risk Institute at Liverpool University. She’s advised multinationals like Bradesco, Itaú, ArcelorMittal, and trained executives at Fundação Dom Cabral . And in every context, from corporate, governmental to global, her insight holds true: “AI does not innovate on its own. It reflects the culture it enters.” We talk about: Why inequality blocks innovation before it starts How top-down management kills trust What leaders get wrong about “speed” And the overlooked role of ground-level employees in building safer systems This isn’t just a conversation about AI. It’s a masterclass on what it means to lead, to listen, and to let culture drive transformation. Listen now because the algorithm might change your tools, but culture decides what you build with them. Chapters 00:00 The Role of AI in Organizational Safety and Innovation 02:03 Leadership in High-Risk Organizations 06:42 Cultural Context and Safety Procedures 11:01 Encouraging Innovation in High-Risk Environments 15:37 Transforming Top-Down Management 21:19 The Soap Story: Lessons in Market Understanding 30:01 Cultural Awareness in AI Implementation 37:58 The Importance of Organizational Culture

    47 min
  4. The #1 Skill You Need in the Age of AI (It’s Not Coding!)

    11/03/2025

    The #1 Skill You Need in the Age of AI (It’s Not Coding!)

    In this episode, Dr. Sarah Bankins, Associate Professor in the Department of Management at Macquarie University (Sydney), explores how AI is transforming productivity, the meaning of work, and the role of leadership in modern organizations.Dr. Bankins is a leading researcher on AI, organizational psychology, and the future of work. Her interdisciplinary work bridges management, psychology, computer science, and ethics, with recent publications on AI in organizations, meaningful work, and AI-driven decision-making. She has also held roles in HR and organizational development, including recruitment, graduate development, workforce diversity, and consulting, which has given her a practical perspective on how AI impacts the workplace.We dive into the importance of meaningful work, psychological safety, organizational values, and critical thinking, alongside the urgency of upskilling and AI literacy for the future job market. Dr. Bankins also unpacks how cultural differences affect recruitment and why leadership today must focus not just on innovation, but also on human connection. 📌 Chapters:00:00 AI and Productivity: A New Era02:35 The Meaning of Work in the Age of AI05:37 Organizational Values vs. Reality08:22 Creating a Psychologically Safe Environment11:04 The Role of Critical Thinking in AI13:48 Upskilling for the Future: AI Literacy16:38 The Balance of Skills in Job Markets19:16 Cultural Differences in Recruitment21:49 Leadership in the Age of AI24:27 The Future of Work: Human Connection vs. Technology

    54 min
  5. Building an AI That Runs Your Finances

    09/29/2025

    Building an AI That Runs Your Finances

    What if your business had a finance team that never sleeps? In this episode of AI Revolution Digest, we sit down with Bhavana Ravindran, former Visa exec turned founder of Early Bird AI, the game-changing startup building 24/7 AI-powered finance agents for small businesses. From leaving the stability of corporate life to facing the chaos of entrepreneurship, Bhavana shares: ✅ How to build when you have nothing but conviction ✅ The mental shift from employee to founder ✅ The REAL reason most startups fail (hint: it’s not the tech) ✅ Why AI will replace your accountant—but not your ambition ✅ How to build culture, raise capital, and stay sane when everything feels like it’s falling apart 💡 Whether you're an aspiring founder, an SME owner drowning in spreadsheets, or just curious how AI is shaking up business finance—this is your sign to stop scrolling and start watching. Chapters00:00 AI in Finance: A New Era for SMEs02:29 The Journey of an Entrepreneur: From Corporate to Startup05:26 Navigating the Startup Landscape: Challenges and Adjustments07:51 Building a Passion Project: The Story of Dina.ai10:50 Resilience in Entrepreneurship: Overcoming Low Points13:06 The Role of Corporate Experience in Startup Success15:59 The Future of Finance: Automation and AI Integration18:36 Financial Security: A Foundation for Entrepreneurship21:24 Mindset Matters: The Key to Entrepreneurial Success23:52 Embracing Imperfection: The Startup Mindset26:44 Looking Ahead: Exciting Developments for Early Bird AI29:17 Work-Life Balance: Finding Time as a Startup Founder31:41 Attracting Talent: Building a Strong Team Culture34:28 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: Seize Opportunities36:58 Fun and Games: A Lighthearted Moment39:22 Closing Thoughts and Future Connections

    39 min
  6. What Happens When Your Career Becomes Obsolete?

    09/01/2025

    What Happens When Your Career Becomes Obsolete?

    What does the rise of AI mean for careers, education, and our sense of identity? In this conversation, Jeslyn Jerota and Professor Karoline Strauss explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce and education. From career uncertainty and employee motivation to organizational psychology and future selves, they unpack the cultural and psychological challenges of living, learning, and working in an AI-driven world. Discover why upskilling is essential, how case studies and experiential learning drive student engagement, and why human connections remain the most powerful asset in a digital age. This discussion also highlights the importance of cultural dynamics, performance management, and the balance between innovation and emotional connection. If you’re a student, educator, or professional navigating the future of work, this video will help you rethink how to adapt, grow, and thrive. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Organizational Psychology and AI's Impact 01:05 Navigating Career Uncertainty in the Age of AI 04:51 The Challenge of Upskilling for Middle Managers 10:58 Cultural Differences in Job Security and Learning 15:03 The Role of AI in Education and Learning 20:39 Specialization vs. Generalization in Education 25:25 Maintaining Skills in an AI-Driven World 29:51 The Emotional Connection to AI and Human Interaction 34:06 The Impact of AI on Learning 40:36 Navigating Identity in the Age of AI 44:15 Transforming Education: Engaging Students in Core Classes 54:03 AI in Academia: Bridging the Gap Between Students and Professors 59:26 The Value of Case Studies in Education 01:02:12 Cultural Dynamics and Teamwork 01:04:28 Real-World Application of Learning 01:09:35 The Impact of Client Interaction on Learning 01:13:13 Learning Through Experience and Shadowing 01:18:01 Reflections on Educational Experiences and Growth 01:21:50 The Impact of AI on Employee Motivation 01:24:53 Performance Management and Human Judgment 01:26:25 Cultural Differences in Work Perception 01:30:36 AI and Cultural Bias in Performance Evaluation 01:33:24 The Human Element in Work Relationships 01:35:50 Visualizing Future Selves and Self-Discovery

    1h 30m

About

AI Revolution Digest is hosted by Jeslyn Jerota, a business students from ESSEC Business School passionate about making AI accessible to future business leaders. Through real-world examples, expert insights, and emerging trends, they explore how AI shapes business strategy and decision-making. Designed for non-technical business students, the podcast helps you understand AI’s impact, think strategically, and engage confidently in projects, presentations, and interviews. Stay ahead of the curve—no code, just strategy.