Human and The Machine

Cien
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The age of intelligent machines is here, rewriting the rules of how we work, create, and live. But amidst all this progress, one urgent question remains: what does it mean to stay human in a world shaped by AI and who gets left behind? I’m Cien, co-founder of LaunchLemonade and AI Transformation Expert. In The Machine and Us, I’ll explore this question through conversations with human experts, AI pioneers, and sometimes AI itself.

  1. Keeping Humans in the Loop

    07/06/2025

    Keeping Humans in the Loop

    AI adoption isn’t just about training people on ChatGPT or Claude. It’s about culture, mindset, and keeping humans at the center, especially when the world wants to automate everything. In this episode of Human and the Machine, Cien sits down with Minisha Goel, founder of Mindshift AI, TEDx speaker, and AI trainer who’s helped over 1,000 professionals rethink productivity. Together, they unpack why most companies are getting AI adoption wrong, why resistance and disengagement are so common, and what it really takes to create an empowered, future-ready team. You’ll learn: Why “just training” isn’t enough for real AI transformation The hidden blockers to adoption (spoiler: it’s not fear of robots) How to unlock time, reclaim your voice, and lead with heart in an AI-first world If you’re a leader, builder, or anyone curious about the intersection of people and technology, this episode is for you. Subscribe for more candid conversations about the future of work, intelligence, and being human in a machine world. Follow Minisha on Tiktok: tiktok.com/@minishagoel_ai

    22 min
  2. Who’s Allowed to Win?

    07/06/2025

    Who’s Allowed to Win?

    Why does venture funding still feel like an exclusive club and who’s paying the price? In this episode of Human and the Machine, I sit down with Hattie Willis: founder, community builder, and the driving force behind Guestworks and IfWeRaise. Hattie isn’t here to play by the old rules. She’s quietly redesigning how entrepreneurship is taught, funded, and made genuinely accessible, especially for the talent traditional systems leave out. We talk about why the VC model remains broken for most, how “pattern recognition” in AI can reinforce old biases, and whether bootstrapping is really empowerment or just a new way of asking underrepresented founders to do more with less. Hattie shares the hard truths on equity, fundraising, and the real work of building communities that don’t just offer support, but actually shift power. If you’re a founder, investor, or just questioning what it means to create change in a world shaped by algorithms, this conversation will challenge your thinking and maybe even your next move. Listen in for: The nuanced risks of fundraising and why VC isn’t for everyone How AI in due diligence can accidentally entrench bias Bootstrapping vs. fundraising and what really serves underrepresented founders? The role of community as strategy, not just support How to stay bold, curious, and human in the era of intelligent machines If this episode moves you, share it on and keep the tough conversations alive. Find Hattie Willis and her work here: - https://www.guessworks.co/corporates -https://www.ifweraise.com/about

    30 min
  3. What does the world need, and how can we build it together?

    06/11/2025

    What does the world need, and how can we build it together?

    Ben Keene has spent over 20 years building tribes, not just teams, from eco-tourism projects in Fiji to Rebel Book Club and AI climate startups. In this episode of Human in the Machine, we explore what it means to lead, learn, and connect in an age of intelligent systems and fractured attention. You’ll hear how Ben blends technology with intentionality, and why belonging might just be the infrastructure for the future we actually want. We cover: Building communities that last in a world of constant scroll Leadership that pulls people in — not pushes tasks down Using AI to serve missions, not just metrics And what it means to be truly human in an age of machines If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by AI or just quietly wondering how to stay connected while the world speeds up this one’s for you. 🎙 Hosted by Cien Solon, co-founder of LaunchLemonade.Subscribe to stay human in the loop.

    31 min
  4. The Man Who Dreamt The Iphone & The Future of Humans

    05/11/2025

    The Man Who Dreamt The Iphone & The Future of Humans

    In the 1980s, Marc Porat imagined the “Pocket Crystal,” a beautiful, crystal-like device that lived in your pocket, whispered knowledge back to you, and made you feel more human. That idea helped seed the iPhone, Android, eBay, and the Apple Watch. But Marc didn’t stick around for the headlines. He moved into energy, climate, and now, AI agents and quantum tech. In this mind-expanding episode of Human and the Machine, we talk about: – The real future of intelligent agents (it’s not what you think)– Why war is changing forever – Whether AI can be poetic – What happens when everyone gets Beyoncé’s lawyer – And the one thing machines can’t simulate (yet)If you’ve ever wondered what it really means to be human in the age of superintelligence, this is the conversation. 🎙 Hosted by Cien Solon, founder of launchlemonade.app Subscribe to stay human in the age of machines.Get our newsletter: humanandthemachine.substack.com

    38 min
  5. Can AI Automation Make Our Lives More Human?

    04/27/2025

    Can AI Automation Make Our Lives More Human?

    What happens when we stop trying to automate everything and start using AI to enhance what makes us human?Today on Human and the Machine, Cien sits down with Nat Choprasert, who is an AI influencer, consultant, and founder of Future AI Lab. They explore why smart automation isn't about replacing people, but empowering them. They cover: The biggest misconceptions businesses have about AI Why starting small beats building a “Frankenstein” of tools How AI can strengthen (not weaken) real human connections The importance of taste and creativity in the age of automation Nat’s journey from e-commerce entrepreneur to AI educator If this episode made you rethink how AI fits into your work and life, share it with someone who's still on the fence.Stay curious. Stay bold. Stay human. Nat’s newsletter and articles: https://futureailab.com

    25 min
  6. What Happens When Algorithms Pick the Winners?

    04/12/2025

    What Happens When Algorithms Pick the Winners?

    AI is transforming business, but can it ever truly understand people? On today's episode of "Human and the Machine," host Cien Solon explores this pivotal question with Emmie Faust, founder of Female Founders Rise, a thriving community supporting 9,000+ female and non-binary entrepreneurs. Emmie shares candid insights about the role of AI in community building, genuine human connection, and the challenges women face in securing funding due to systemic biases amplified by technology. Tune in for a thoughtful conversation about balancing human authenticity with AI's efficiency, and discover practical advice for fostering meaningful relationships in the digital age. Connect with Emmie Faust: Female Founders Rise: https://femalefoundersrise.com/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/emmiefaust/ About the Author Cien Solon is a speaker, AI Transformation strategist, and co-founder of LaunchLemonade, a no-code platform that helps non-technical professionals build intelligent agents and automations without writing code. With over a decade of experience across product development, growth strategy, and digital transformation, Cien has worked with early-stage startups, tech teams, and scale-ups, guiding them through the adoption of generative AI as a core business advantage. Her work focuses on the intersection of access, agency, and automation and helping individuals and organisations shift from passive users of AI to active builders in the AI economy. As a speaker and educator, she regularly leads talks and masterclasses on AI adoption, prompt engineering, and human-centred automation. Through her writing, workshops, and platform, Cien is on a mission to close the AI literacy gap and ensure no one is left behind in this next wave of innovation. You can explore more of her work or get in touch at linkedin.com/in/ciensolon

    23 min
  7. What happens when machines can think faster than us?

    04/06/2025

    What happens when machines can think faster than us?

    In this episode of Human and the Machine, I sit down with Reyhan Mericar, AI Architecture Specialist at Accenture and frontier thinker in LLMOps, AI strategy, and real-world implementation. He’s the guy Fortune 500s call when they’re serious about building agentic AI systems that work.We talk about the messy middle of AI adoption and why companies are restructuring, where the Chief AI Officer fits in, and what most businesses are getting wrong about LLMOps. But we also go deeper. Listen to learn: - Why emotional intelligence might be our last frontier - How agentic workflows are reshaping productivity - What to watch out for in corporate AI adoption Guest: Reyhan Mericar Follow him on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/reyhanmerekar/ Subscribe to his newsletter: -https://digestibleai-newsletter.beehiiv.com/subscribe

    37 min
  8. Human Connection is Your Edge

    03/30/2025

    Human Connection is Your Edge

    The age of intelligent machines is here, but in a world of avatars, automation, and algorithms, what does it mean to really connect? In this episode of Human and the Machine, I sit down with Ash Phillips, founder of Rebellious co, startup mentor to over 1,000 founders, and a true champion of the unreasonably ambitious. From building one of the UK’s most human-centered startup communities to mentoring founders in a rapidly changing world, Ash shares why emotional intelligence might just become our greatest competitive edge. We talk about: - The future of ambition in an AI-driven world - What “people-first” really means when automation scales - How to build authentic, human-centered communities - Why EQ might matter more than IQ - And how the legacy we leave will be defined by how we made others feel . This one’s for the rebels, the builders, and anyone trying to stay human while everything else speeds up. 🔗 Links: Website: https://www.rebelliousco.org/about/ LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashphillips/ Host: @cienandai Newsletter: humanandthemachine.substack.com Listen on Spotify

    28 min
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The age of intelligent machines is here, rewriting the rules of how we work, create, and live. But amidst all this progress, one urgent question remains: what does it mean to stay human in a world shaped by AI and who gets left behind? I’m Cien, co-founder of LaunchLemonade and AI Transformation Expert. In The Machine and Us, I’ll explore this question through conversations with human experts, AI pioneers, and sometimes AI itself.

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