Digital Disruption with Geoff Nielson

Info-Tech Research Group
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  • TECHNOLOGY

The Next Industrial Revolution is Already Here Digital Disruption is where industry leaders and experts share insights on leveraging technology to build the organizations of the future. As intelligent technologies reshape our lives and our livelihoods, we speak with the thinkers, the doers and innovators who will help us predict and harness this disruption. Join us as we explore how to adapt to and harness digital transformation.

  1. Why AI is Failing: Ex-Google Chief Cassie Kozyrkov Debunks "AI-first"

    3D AGO

    Why AI is Failing: Ex-Google Chief Cassie Kozyrkov Debunks "AI-first"

    Is “AI-first” the future of business or just another tech buzzword? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by former Google Chief Decision Scientist and CEO of Kozyr, Cassie Kozyrkov. Cassie is best known for founding the field of Decision Intelligence and serving as Google’s first Chief Decision Scientist, where she helped lead the company’s AI-first transformation. A sought-after advisor and keynote speaker, Cassie has guided organizations including Gucci, NASA, Meta, Spotify, Salesforce, and GSK on AI strategy. She combines deep technical expertise with theater-trained charisma to make complex concepts engaging and actionable for executive and general audiences alike delighting audiences in over 40 countries across all seven continents, including stages at the UN, WEF, Web Summit, and SXSW. Cassie sits down with Geoff to unpack the hidden cost of the “AI-first” hype, the dangers of AI infrastructure debt, and why real AI readiness starts with people, not technology. She reveals how leaders can architect their organizations for innovation, build human-in-the-loop systems, and create cultures that embrace experimentation instead of fearing mistakes. Cassie exposes why 95% of organizations fail to achieve measurable ROI from AI and how leaders can finally bridge the AI value gap. This conversation dives into why AI success isn’t about tools, it’s about leadership, measurement, and mindset. Most organizations chasing “AI transformation” see no measurable ROI not because the technology fails, but because leaders are still measuring value the old way. Generative AI success is hard to quantify when there isn’t a single “right answer,” yet many businesses keep trying to apply outdated metrics to a completely new paradigm. In this video: 00:00 Intro 00:44 The Generative AI Value Gap: Why 95% get no ROI 02:20 The paradox of AI productivity 05:38 Why measuring AI value is harder than we think 12:04 Leadership abdication: “Just sprinkle AI on everything” 15:10 AI infrastructure debt explained 20:17 What real AI readiness looks like (beyond tech) 23:42 Humans as part of AI infrastructure 28:00 Why “AI-first” isn’t one-size-fits-all 33:31 Building human judgment into AI systems 36:19 The risks of scaling too fast 41:34 Automation vs augmentation: where leaders go wrong 44:00 The “do the work” approach to AI success 48:35 The recipe for an AI-ready organization 53:40 Guardrails, governance, and security in AI systems 57:00 Thinking probabilistically: a new mindset for leaders 1:03:20 The human side of AI transformation 1:06:45 Leading through uncertainty Connect with Cassie: Website: https://www.kozyr.com/about LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kozyrkov/ X: https://x.com/decisionleader YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Kozyrkov Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

    1h 26m
  2. How AI-Ready Leaders Will Replace You: Erik Qualman Explains

    NOV 3

    How AI-Ready Leaders Will Replace You: Erik Qualman Explains

    Why is adaptability the real superpower for leaders in the digital age? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Erik Qualman, a digital leadership expert, best-selling author, and motivational speaker. Erik is a 5x #1 Bestselling Author and Keynote Speaker who has inspired audiences in over 55 countries and reached 50 million people. Voted the #2 Most Likeable Author in the World behind J.K. Rowling, his work Socialnomics has been featured on 60 Minutes, in The Wall Street Journal, and used by organizations from the National Guard to NASA. A professor of Digital Leadership at Northwestern University, Qualman’s research and courses are studied at 500+ universities worldwide. Through his animation studio, he has partnered with brands like Disney, Oreo, Chase, and Cartier. A former MIT and Harvard edX professor and honorary doctorate recipient, Qualman is also the creator of the bestselling board game Kittycorn. Erik joins Geoff Nielson to break down what it really means to be AI-ready. He reveals why the leaders who know how to leverage AI and adapt fast will replace those who don’t. He explains why AI is overhyped in the short term but underhyped in the long term, and how the most successful leaders of the next decade will blend Flintstones-level human connection with Jetsons-era innovation. Erik explains why adaptability and emotional intelligence (EQ) are the new competitive edge in the age of artificial intelligence. This conversation explores how AI can remove friction, save time, and ironically help us become more human, while also exploring the guardrails needed for responsible tech adoption. Erik also shares lessons from advising some of the world’s top brands including Facebook, Disney, and Sony and explains why the future favors those who fail fast, fail forward, and fail better. In this video: 00:00 Intro 02:00 The “Flintstones First” approach to digital leadership 04:40 How AI helps us become more human 06:15 Winners, losers, and adaptability in the AI era 08:30 Emotional intelligence and leadership in a tech-driven world 11:00 The need for guardrails in AI and social media 13:00 Teaching AI and digital leadership at Northwestern 15:00 How technology is transforming the classroom 17:45 The 70/30 rule: what changes vs. what never will 19:00 Core advice for leaders and digital innovators 21:30 Avoiding hype: testing new tech like AI and Clubhouse 23:00 Lessons from Montblanc and the origins of “Digital Leadership” 25:00 The Disney+ story: digital transformation done right 27:00 Building a culture of “fail fast, fail forward, fail better” 30:00 Balancing the Flintstones and the Jetsons Connect with Erik: Website: https://equalman.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/qualman/ X: https://x.com/equalman YouTube: @equalman Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

    51 min
  3. The AI Market Must Crash: Ed Zitron on Why the Bubble Will Burst

    OCT 27

    The AI Market Must Crash: Ed Zitron on Why the Bubble Will Burst

    Could AI’s biggest impact be economic, not technological? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder of EZPR and host of Better Offline podcast, Ed Zitron. Ed is a technology writer, public relations expert, and podcaster known for his critical takes on the tech industry and its biggest players. His work has appeared in leading outlets including The Atlantic, Business Insider, and TechCrunch. He is the author of the popular newsletter Where’s Your Ed At, launched in 2020, where he explores the intersection of technology, business, and culture. Ed also hosts the Better Offline podcast, delving into the realities of the tech industry and the ripple effects of the AI boom. With his candid insights and thoughtful commentary, Ed has become a trusted voice and sought-after speaker within the tech community. One of the most outspoken critics of the AI boom, Ed Zitron joins Geoff to cut through the noise and talk about the truth behind generative AI. Ed breaks down why he believes AI “doesn’t work,” what’s really driving the trillion-dollar hype, and why big tech, media, and investors may be steering straight into the next Enron moment. This conversation unpacks why large language models fall short, how Microsoft’s AI Copilot has failed to deliver, and how corporate opportunism and investor “vibes” are fueling one of the biggest speculative bubbles in tech history. They also explore the “Enron-like” risks in the AI hardware race, the potential fallout for retail investors and startups, and tackle one of tech’s most misunderstood narratives, the myth of AI-driven job loss, revealing who’s really being replaced. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:36 “AI doesn’t work” 02:05 The limits of LLMs 04:33 Microsoft Copilot and the illusion of productivity 07:05 The AI job myth: Who’s really being replaced? 10:00 CEOs, opportunism, and the false narrative of AI efficiency 12:00 The Salesforce example: Lies, hype, and failure to deliver 14:00 What AI can actually do 18:00 The trust problem 19:45 Media complacency and tech industry collusion 22:00 Microsoft, Nvidia, and false growth 25:00 The Enron parallels 28:30 Why investors are rewarding bad behavior 31:00 Who gets hurt when the AI bubble bursts? 35:00 Unsustainable startups and rising model costs 38:00 The coming collapse of AI infrastructure 40:00 What business leaders should do now to avoid being burned 44:30 The harsh truth about ChatGPT 49:00 What real innovation looks like: Batteries, EVs, AR, and more 54:00 The future of work beyond AI hype Connect with Ed: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edzitron/ X: https://x.com/edzitron Instagram: instagram.com/edzitron Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

    59 min
  4. Godfather of AGI on Why Big Tech Innovation is Over

    OCT 20

    Godfather of AGI on Why Big Tech Innovation is Over

    Is the AI arms race between tech giants and nations pushing us toward a dangerous future? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder of SingularityNET and the pioneering mind behind the term Artificial General Intelligence (AGI), Dr. Ben Goertzel. Dr. Ben Goertzel is a leading figure in artificial intelligence, robotics, and computational finance. Holding a Ph.D. in Mathematics from Temple University, he has been a pioneer in advancing both the theory and practical applications of AI, particularly in the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI) a term he helped popularize. He currently leads the SingularityNET Foundation, TrueAGI, the OpenCog Foundation, and the AGI Society, and has organized the Artificial General Intelligence Conference for over fifteen years. A co-founder and principal architect of OpenCog, an open-source project to build human-level AI, Dr. Goertzel’s work reflects a singular mission: to develop benevolent AGI that advances humanity’s collective good. Dr. Goertzel sits down with Geoff to share his insights on the accelerating progress toward AGI, what it truly means, and how it could reshape human life, work, and consciousness. He discusses the role of Big Tech in shaping AI’s direction and how corporate incentives, and commercialization are both driving innovation and limiting true AGI research. From DeepMind and OpenAI to decentralized AI networks, Dr. Goertzel reveals where the real breakthroughs might happen. The conversation also explores the ethics of AI, the dangers of fake democratization and false compassion, and why humanity must shape AI’s evolution with empathy and awareness. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:21 What is Artificial General Intelligence (AGI)? 01:10 The pace of AI progress and the hype cycle 05:44 The path from human-level AGI to superintelligence 09:20 How close are we to AGI? 13:08 Transformer vs. multi-agent systems 14:05 Which AI labs might strike AGI gold? (DeepMind, OpenAI, Anthropic) 17:07 Big Tech’s innovator’s dilemma and why true AGI may come elsewhere 20:20 Predictive coding 22:59 Why Big Tech resists new AI training paradigms 29:16 Imagining life after AGI: optimism, transhumanism, and choice 33:29 Navigating the transition from AGI to ASI 37:55 Decentralized vs. centralized control of AGI 43:20 Who (or what) will be in control 47:19 Risks of power concentration in early AGI development 51:01 Who should own and guide AGI? 53:06 Why we need participatory governance for intelligent systems 54:47 The danger of fake compassion and false democratization 1:00:50 Finding meaning in the age of intelligent machines 1:04:13 How AGI could help humanity focus on inner growth 1:07:20 – Learning how to learn: the last human advantage Connect with Dr. Goertzel: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bengoertzel/ X: https://x.com/bengoertzel Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

    1h 9m
  5. Have I Been Pwned Founder Troy Hunt talks Breaches, Ransomware & Online Safety

    OCT 13

    Have I Been Pwned Founder Troy Hunt talks Breaches, Ransomware & Online Safety

    How are AI and automation shaping both the attack and defense sides of cybersecurity? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by the founder and CEO of Have I Been Pwned, Troy Hunt. Troy Hunt is an Australian security researcher and the founder of the data breach notification service, Have I Been Pwned. With a background in software development specializing in information security, Troy is a regular conference speaker and trainer. He frequently appears in the media, collaborates with government and law enforcement agencies, and has appeared before the U.S. Congress as an expert witness on the impact of data breaches. Troy also serves as a Microsoft Regional Director (an honorary title) and regularly blogs at troyhunt.com from his home on Australia’s Gold Coast. Troy sits down with Geoff to share eye-opening insights on the evolving threat landscape of 2025 and beyond. Despite the rise of AI and automation, Troy emphasizes that many of today’s most damaging data breaches and ransomware attacks still stem from basic human error and social engineering. He explains how ransomware has shifted from encrypting files to threatening data disclosure, making it harder for organizations to manage risk and justify ransom payments. The conversation also touches on how breach fatigue and apathy have led many individuals and businesses to underestimate cybersecurity risks, even as incidents rise globally. He also highlights how AI tools are being weaponized by both defenders and attackers and argues that cybersecurity isn’t about perfect protection but about finding equilibrium: balancing usability, education, and risk mitigation. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:15 Why human weakness beats AI 02:00 Young hackers and the rise of scattered spider 04:00 From hacktivists to career criminals 05:00 Ransomware’s new tactics 07:30 Should companies pay the ransom? 10:20 Can you ever be fully protected? Defense vs. response 11:20 How to convince boards cybersecurity is worth the money 14:20 Breach fatigue and public apathy 18:00 Reframing what ‘sensitive data’ really means 20:00 Passwords, reuse, and the real risk equation 24:00 Biometrics, face ID & the future of authentication 26:30 Threat Modeling 101 27:30 Barriers to cyber preparedness 29:30 How Have I Been Pwned works 32:00 The Future of Data Breaches 38:00 Microsoft’s Role in the Security Ecosystem 40:30 AI Hype vs. reality in cybersecurity 43:00 When AI helps hackers 52:00 Why transparency still matters after every breach 54:00 Accepting risk, building resilience Connect with Troy: Website: https://www.troyhunt.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/troyhunt/ X: https://x.com/troyhunt Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

    58 min
  6. Design Expert: AI, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of Digital Experiences

    OCT 6

    Design Expert: AI, Entrepreneurship, and the Future of Digital Experiences

    What does the future of digital experiences look like when AI, accessibility, and entrepreneurship collide? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by serial tech entrepreneur, accessibility advocate, and co-founder of Global Accessibility Awareness Day (GAAD), Joe Devon. As Chair of the GAAD Foundation, Joe strives to disrupt the culture of technology and digital product development by embedding accessibility as a core requirement. Inspired by his 2011 blog post highlighting the need for mainstream accessibility knowledge among developers, GAAD has grown into an annual event observed on the third Thursday of May, promoting digital access and inclusion for over one billion people with disabilities worldwide. He also co-hosts the Accessibility and Gen.AI Podcast, exploring the intersection of accessibility and artificial intelligence. Joe sits down with Geoff to explore how AI startups are reshaping the digital landscape, from code accessibility to the rise of small business innovation. He shares the story of how one blog post led to a global accessibility movement, why AI-driven tools could either democratize or centralize technology, and how the entrepreneurial spirit will define the next decade. From robotics fused with large language models to AI coding assistants generating billions of lines of code, this conversation dives into the challenges, risks, and opportunities for entrepreneurs and digital leaders navigating this transformation. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 00:23 The “ChatGPT moment” for robotics 01:23 The mission behind Global Accessibility Awareness Day 02:29 How AI shifts the accessibility conversation 03:08 Why accessibility matters for everyone 06:17 Usability and empathy in digital product design 12:28 How AI can unlock inclusion and personalization 14:45 Aphantasia, hyperphantasia & diverse human abilities 17:34 AI and the future of sign language translation 19:23 How to work with disability communities 23:59 Advice for leaders getting started with inclusive design 25:13 AI coding tools revolutionizing software development 29:27 Can AI accessibility become the new standard? 30:06 How GAAD became a global movement 35:24 Entrepreneurship vs. 9-to-5 in an AI-powered economy 45:07 Lessons from the early internet and RSS’s decline 47:04 The debate on Universal Basic Income (UBI) 50:26 Joe’s father’s influence and the accessibility journey 52:34 From a blog post to real change in banking 57:13 The rise of AI influencers vs. the value of real humans 58:36 Advice for those unsure about entrepreneurship Connect with Joe: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/joedevon/ X: https://x.com/joedevon Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

    1 hr
  7. Deloitte's Chief Futurist on AI, Job Loss, and the Art of Thinking

    SEP 29

    Deloitte's Chief Futurist on AI, Job Loss, and the Art of Thinking

    What happens when AI becomes as good at thinking as humans and what skills remain uniquely ours? On this episode of Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Mike Bechtel, Chief Futurist at Deloitte. Mike began his career at Accenture Labs, where his team helped Fortune 500 clients put emerging technologies to profitable use. Twelve years and twelve U.S. patents later, he was named the firm’s first Global Innovation Director, tasked with creating the strategy, processes, and culture to foster company-wide intrapreneurship. At Deloitte, Mike and his team focus on making sense of what’s new and next in technology, with the goal of helping today’s leaders arrive at their preferred futures ahead of schedule. He also serves as an adjunct professor at the University of Notre Dame, where he teaches corporate innovation. In 2013, Mike co-founded and served as Managing Director of Ringleader Ventures, a venture capital firm investing in early-stage startups that had—intentionally or not—built simple solutions to complex corporate challenges. Mike sits down with Geoff to talk about the future of AI and what it means for our work, creativity, and humanity. He shares an optimistic vision of a world where automation elevates human potential, allowing people to focus on creativity, innovation, and connection. This conversation challenges how we think about AI, AI art, the future of work, and the role of human skills. Mike draws on his experience advising leaders and students to show how we can prepare for a future where AI isn’t just a tool but a partner in thinking. He shares insights on the ethical challenges of outsourcing thought, why intent matters in how organizations use AI, and why AI is less about replacing jobs and more about automating the “muck” so humans can focus on the magic. Mike also challenges us to consider: what happens to writing, philosophy, and ethics when machines can master technical tasks faster than ever? In this episode: 00:00 Intro 01:00 Why AI isn’t new (but why this moment matters) 04:10 Automation as a Trojan Horse for elevation 05:30 Best practices get automated, next practices get built 09:50 Expertise vs. curiosity: Why human skills win 15:00 From fear to opportunity 17:00 What clients really want in the AI era 19:20 Automating muck to unlock magic 22:00 The revenge of the humanities & synthetic thinking 23:00 Writing = thinking: Why we can’t outsource human thought 36:15 Why people still matter 42:00 Beyond AI: Blockchain, trust & cryptographic futures 47:30 Deepfakes, truth, and the math we can trust 1:05:50 The future of IT 1:08:00 AI Reshaping corporate teams & skills 1:14:40 Guidance for the next generation 1:19:30 Staying ahead of AI 1:21:45 Key takeaways Connect with Mike: Website: https://mikebech.tel/bio LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mikebechtel/ X: https://x.com/mikebechtel Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=podcast Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

    1h 22m
  8. Boom or Bust? Top AI Investor Reveals the Future of AI Startups

    SEP 22

    Boom or Bust? Top AI Investor Reveals the Future of AI Startups

    Which strategies separate the AI startups that thrive from those that die? Today on Digital Disruption, we’re joined by Jeremiah Owyang, a venture capitalist at Blitzscaling Ventures. Jeremiah, a longtime Silicon Valley native, leads investments in early-stage AI startups at Blitzscaling Ventures. He focuses on startups with the potential for rapid scale and enduring leadership in valuable markets. He also organizes the popular Llama Lounge: The AI Startup Event Series. As a speaker, Jeremiah forecasts how early-stage technology will reshape business and society and advises audiences on how to turn disruption into advantage. Jeremiah sits down with Geoff to unpack the reality of Silicon Valley’s AI gold rush. With more than 38,000 AI startups competing for attention, thin technical moats, and the looming threat of consolidation, founders face more pressure than ever to stand out. He shares insider insights on why most AI startups are vulnerable to being wiped out by a single update from @OpenAI or Google, which industries and roles are most at risk of automation, and why critical thinking remains one of humanity’s most valuable advantages. The conversation also explores how Gen Alpha, the first AI-native generation, will grow up and work differently than any before, as well as the rise of AI agents and their impact on everyday work. In this video: 00:00 Intro 01:45 The AI startup explosion 04:30 Why most AI startups will fail without real advantages 07:10 One OpenAI update could destroy your startup overnight 10:25 Thin technical advantages and the search for moats 13:40 What VCs look for in AI startups 17:05 The rise of Lean AI startups 20:15 AI agents and the automation of entry-level jobs 23:50 The skills humans still need 27:10 Gen Alpha: The first AI-native workforce 30:20 AI’s role in corporate strategy and decision-making 34:00 The Risks of over-reliance on AI in business 37:25 From Gold Rush to shakeout 41:10 How CEOs can future-proof their companies in the AI era 45:30 Humanoid robots, agents, and the next wave of disruption 49:15 Winners and losers in the AI economy Connect with Jeremiah: Website: https://web-strategist.com/blog/about/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jowyang/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jowyang/ X: https://x.com/jowyang Visit our website: https://www.infotech.com/ Follow us on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@InfoTechRG

    1h 1m
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Ratings & Reviews

4.5
out of 5
30 Ratings

About

The Next Industrial Revolution is Already Here Digital Disruption is where industry leaders and experts share insights on leveraging technology to build the organizations of the future. As intelligent technologies reshape our lives and our livelihoods, we speak with the thinkers, the doers and innovators who will help us predict and harness this disruption. Join us as we explore how to adapt to and harness digital transformation.

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