Not a Threat: Building the AI-First Future

Sam Chappell
  • 5.0 (3)
  • Management

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we live, work and interact. The pace of change is relentless, and it's increasingly difficult to keep up. Through conversations with leaders across industries and professions, we explore how to harness the technology's potential and prepare for an AI-first future. Whether you're building a business, navigating the future of work, or simply trying to make sense of what comes next, this is for you.Hosted by Sam Chappell, founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm (https://axialsearch.com), and Axial Forum, the private network for executives leading AI strategy and transformation (https://axialforum.com).Discover more episodes, tools and frameworks at https://notathreat.ai

Episodes

  1. 07/29/2025

    Luke van der Waals: Mastering Supply Chain Resiliency

    My guest today is Luke van der Waals. Luke manages the North American offshore supply chain for SLB, a multinational oil field services company. Previously, he led digital transformation across SLB's global planning and supply chain operations. His focus has been on using technology to drive real-world impact, streamlining operations, embedding sustainability, and rethinking how data and automation can be used to build more resilient, efficient systems. In his spare time, Luke produces the innovative AI on... Podcast, where he interviews AI-generated experts to explore complex questions across technology, business, and society. He shares insights from both his career and the creative process behind the show, reflecting on what each has taught him about the surprising capabilities and limitations of AI. So, please enjoy my conversation with Luke van der Waals. _____ Show Notes: [00:02:07] The Complexity of Supply Chains [00:06:27] Technology and Change Management [00:07:53] Misconceptions About Supply Chains [00:10:11] Energy and AI [00:11:44] AI's Impact on Legacy Systems [00:13:05] Understanding Drilling and AI [00:17:12] Challenges in AI Deployment [00:21:41] Human Judgment in AI [00:24:00] Leadership in AI-Powered Organizations [00:29:44] AI's Future Impact [00:31:41] Winners and Losers in an AI-Driven World [00:33:22] Creating AI Personas [00:37:02] Insights from producing the AI on... Podcast _____ About the host: Sam Chappell is the founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm for the US and Canada, and Axial Forum, the private network for AI leaders. Links: Hiring an AI leader? Axial Search: https://axialsearch.com/solutions/ai-executive-searchAxial Forum, the private community for AI leaders: https://axialforum.comEpisodes, show notes and more: https://notathreat.aiSam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelchappell

  2. 07/16/2025

    Kenon Chen: Innovating Real Estate Valuation Models

    My guest today is Kenon Chen. Kenon leads strategy and growth at Clear Capital, a real estate analytics, data solutions, and valuation technology company. With a background in tech, he's grown to love the housing and real estate space, bringing an innovative outlook to product development and organizational growth. In our conversation, we delve into how Kenon translates technical language across the diverse spheres of product, sales, and marketing. We also explore the role of AI in talent development, effective deployment strategies to mitigate bias, and the skills required to lead in an AI-powered organization. This was a thoughtful and wide-ranging discussion, and a real pleasure to sit down with someone so grounded in both vision and execution. So please enjoy my conversation with Kenon Chen. _____ Show Notes: [00:00:46] Introduction [00:02:06] Building Confidence in Real Estate [00:03:35] Lessons from the Past [00:05:23] Translating Technical Language [00:06:52] AI in Talent Development [00:08:34] Deploying AI Effectively [00:12:50] Addressing Bias in AI Models [00:14:05] Recent AI Deployments [00:17:27] Skills for Working with AI [00:19:48] Leadership in an AI-Powered Organization [00:21:20] The Future of the Industry [00:24:20] Acquiring vs. Building [00:26:19] The Evolving Role of Strategy and Growth [00:28:22] Closing Thoughts _____ About the host: Sam Chappell is the founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm for the US and Canada, and Axial Forum, the private network for AI leaders. Links: Hiring an AI leader? Axial Search: https://axialsearch.com/solutions/ai-executive-searchAxial Forum, the private community for AI leaders: https://axialforum.comEpisodes, show notes and more: https://notathreat.aiSam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelchappell

  3. 05/27/2025

    Supriya Gupta: Surfacing Untapped Leadership Insight

    My guest today is Supriya Gupta, the founder and CEO of an AI advisory studio. Supriya previously led AI-driven product innovation at companies like Credit Karma, Facebook, and IBM. Today she works with business leaders to help them harness AI for both efficiency and invention. Her first product, a personal executive ghostwriter called The Agent C, is emerging from stealth this month, and we discuss how it enables executives to increase their contributions to thought leadership content. Supriya also shares a practical framework for building context-aware products, explains why the cost of creation is collapsing, and makes the case for taste, not just technical sophistication, as the new competitive edge. Supriya's thinking is sharp, actionable, and grounded in real-world experimentation. So please enjoy my conversation with Supriya Gupta. _____ Show Notes: [00:00:24] Introduction [00:01:41] AI and Product Innovation [00:04:09] Context-Aware Products [00:06:23] Ethical Considerations in AI [00:09:12] Balancing Innovation and Safety [00:12:59] Building AI Systems [00:14:13] Experimentation with AI Tools [00:17:26] Building Executive Influence [00:21:06] Workflow and Under the Hood [00:24:46] Democratizing Thought Leadership [00:28:08] Importance of Digital Presence [00:28:57] Building Diverse Teams [00:32:41] Developing Empathy [00:35:16] Leadership in AI-Powered Organizations [00:38:39] Future of Organizational Structure [00:42:02] Reflecting on Legacy _____ About the host: Sam Chappell is the founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm for the US and Canada, and Axial Forum, the private network for AI leaders. Links: Hiring an AI leader? Axial Search: https://axialsearch.com/solutions/ai-executive-searchAxial Forum, the private community for AI leaders: https://axialforum.comEpisodes, show notes and more: https://notathreat.aiSam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelchappell

  4. 03/05/2025

    Milind Sawant: AI Deployment in the Healthcare Sector

    My guest today is Milind Sawant, a leader in product innovation with 30 years of global R&D experience. At Siemens Healthineers, he founded the Center of Excellence for AI and Machine Learning, growing it to more than 200 cross-functional team members and achieving significant business impact. Milind shares a structured approach to AI deployment, covering common pitfalls, a problem-first adoption framework, and strategies for balancing speed and accuracy. We also discuss the evolving role of subject matter experts, overcoming resistance to change, and the future role of AI in healthcare. His insights are practical, experience-driven, and invaluable for anyone looking to adopt AI in their business. So, please enjoy my conversation with Milind Sawant. _____ Show Notes: [00:01:00] Introduction [00:01:32] Building an AI Center of Excellence: Breaking Silos and Driving Innovation [00:04:14] Avoiding Common Pitfalls in AI Deployment [00:06:05] Leveraging Subject Matter Experts for AI Success [00:08:11] Data Quality vs. Quantity: The Make-or-Break Factor for AI [00:10:28] Starting Small: The Key to AI Adoption Within an Organization [00:13:04] Speed vs. Accuracy: Finding the Right Balance in AI Implementation [00:14:20] Overcoming Internal Resistance to AI Adoption [00:16:27] Future-Proofing Your Career in an AI-Driven World [00:19:02] Making AI Accessible: Tools and Training for Mid-Career Professionals [00:24:15] AI Performance Standards: Why the Bar is Higher for Automation [00:28:01] Incremental Improvements vs. Big Leaps: How AI Gains Traction [00:29:58] How AI is Transforming Business and Patient Care [00:34:29] Regulating AI: Striking the Right Balance Between Innovation and Safety [00:36:04] How Business Leaders Can Effectively Deploy AI [00:38:07] Final Thoughts: AI is Easier to Learn Than You Think _____ About the host: Sam Chappell is the founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm for the US and Canada, and Axial Forum, the private network for AI leaders. Links: Hiring an AI leader? Axial Search: https://axialsearch.com/solutions/ai-executive-searchAxial Forum, the private community for AI leaders: https://axialforum.comEpisodes, show notes and more: https://notathreat.aiSam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelchappell

  5. 04/15/2024

    Joe Mazzone: AI Innovation in the Education Sector

    My guest today is Joe Mazzone. Joe leads the product development for Coding Rooms, an interactive training platform owned by Wiley, the multinational academic publishing company. During our discussion, we explore how the team at Wiley is addressing the challenges, risks, and opportunities presented by AI. We also talk about how the education sector and the role of teachers are likely to evolve as the technology becomes ever more present in society. Joe is a thoughtful and passionate optimist, and this was an exciting peek into the future of education. So, please enjoy this conversation with Joe Mazzone.  _____ Show Notes: [00:01:00] Introduction [00:01:36] The Origins and Evolution of Coding Rooms [00:08:35] Pressing Challenges Within the Education Sector [00:10:58] Helping Students With Instant Feedback [00:17:15] Spotting When Students Cheat With Generative AI [00:21:53] The Potential of Personal AI Tutors [00:27:08] Overcoming AI Integration Challenges [00:30:26] Combatting the Issue of Prompt Hacking [00:33:28] General Purpose AI vs. AI With a Limited Knowledge Base [00:35:54] Internal AI Use Cases at Wiley [00:40:05] Policies and Systems for Managing AI Risks [00:42:58] Developing a Culture of AI Literacy [00:44:04] AI and the Future of Teaching [00:47:50] Entry Level Work in the Age of AI _____ About the host: Sam Chappell is the founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm for the US and Canada, and Axial Forum, the private network for AI leaders. Links: Hiring an AI leader? Axial Search: https://axialsearch.com/solutions/ai-executive-searchAxial Forum, the private community for AI leaders: https://axialforum.comEpisodes, show notes and more: https://notathreat.aiSam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelchappell

  6. 04/08/2024

    Ralph Burns: AI and the Future of Digital Marketing

    My guest today is Ralph Burns. Ralph is the Founder and CEO of Tier 11, a leading digital marketing agency that manages over $200 million in annual ad spend. Ralph is also the co-host of Perpetual Traffic, a digital marketing podcast with hundreds of thousands of monthly listeners. During our conversation, Ralph describes the evolution of the industry and some of the challenges he’s overcome whilst building his business and growing his team. We discuss the rapid adoption of AI tools within the digital marketing space and Ralph shares some insight into the increasing value of the human experience in a world that will soon be dominated by AI-generated content. The world of digital marketing is at the forefront of GenAI and I couldn’t think of a better person to shine a light on it than Ralph. So, please enjoy my conversation with Ralph Burns. _____ Show Notes: [00:00:32] Introduction [00:01:24] How the Digital Marketing Industry Works [00:05:24] The Challenges of Building a Digital Marketing Agency [00:09:07] The Value of Human Experience in an AI Future [00:13:02] The Current State of AI in Digital Marketing [00:17:26] Leveraging AI for Digital Marketing Insights [00:22:37] The Unanimous Adoption of AI Within the Marketing Industry [00:24:38] The Current Limitations of AI-Generated Content [00:27:54] The Powerful AI in Meta’s Ad Platform [00:31:54] Getting Started With AI in Your Business _____ About the host: Sam Chappell is the founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm for the US and Canada, and Axial Forum, the private network for AI leaders. Links: Hiring an AI leader? Axial Search: https://axialsearch.com/solutions/ai-executive-searchAxial Forum, the private community for AI leaders: https://axialforum.comEpisodes, show notes and more: https://notathreat.aiSam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelchappell

  7. 03/31/2024

    Michal Heiplik: Revolutionizing Public Media Fundraising

    My guest today is Michal Heiplik. Michal is the President and CEO of Contributor Development Partnership. CDP develops data driven insights and provides fundraising services to more than 230 public radio and television stations across the United States. During its first five years as an independent organization, CDP has brought 500,000 new donors to public media and has facilitated more than 200 million transactions for its clients. During our conversation, Michal and I discuss how CDP is deploying both predictive and generative AI to streamline operations and improve the performance of partner stations. We explore some of the limitations they've encountered with the technology, and the opportunities he sees for artificial intelligence to unlock even more value for CDP's clients. This was a fascinating look into the future of philanthropic giving, and Michal's passion for the company's mission is infectious. So, please enjoy my conversation with Michal Heiplik. _____ Show Notes: [00:00:00] Welcome to Not a Threat [00:01:33] CDP's Unique Mission-Driven Approach [00:05:06] Embracing AI and Incorporating it into the Business [00:06:49] The Role of AI in Identifying Major Donors and Optimizing Engagement [00:12:03] Navigating the Challenges and Opportunities of AI Integration [00:16:04] The Power of Mission for Attracting and Retaining Talent [00:17:59] The Impact of AI on Workforce Dynamics and Skill Development [00:20:18] Data Security: Prioritizing Donor Trust in the Age of AI [00:21:37] Forecasting the Future: AI's Expanding Role in Nonprofit Strategy [00:24:29] Advice for Other Leaders: Lose the Fear _____ About the host: Sam Chappell is the founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm for the US and Canada, and Axial Forum, the private network for AI leaders. Links: Hiring an AI leader? Axial Search: https://axialsearch.com/solutions/ai-executive-searchAxial Forum, the private community for AI leaders: https://axialforum.comEpisodes, show notes and more: https://notathreat.aiSam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelchappell

  8. 02/08/2024

    Trailer: This is Not a Threat

    Hello and welcome everyone, I'm Sam Chappell and this is 'Not a Threat'. This show documents practical strategies for deploying AI at work. With interviews spanning industries and professions, listeners will gain insights from business leaders who are implementing AI within their organizations; the challenges they've encountered and how they're positioning their companies for the future. 'Not a Threat' is a weekly podcast, but I also share frameworks, transcripts, personal thoughts, and more at notathreat.ai. Whether you're a CEO, manager or employee looking to get ahead, this is for you. _____ About the host: Sam Chappell is the founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm for the US and Canada, and Axial Forum, the private network for AI leaders. Links: Hiring an AI leader? Axial Search: https://axialsearch.com/solutions/ai-executive-searchAxial Forum, the private community for AI leaders: https://axialforum.comEpisodes, show notes and more: https://notathreat.aiSam on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/samuelchappell

  • 1 Trailer
    7 Episodes

Trailer

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About

Artificial intelligence is transforming how we live, work and interact. The pace of change is relentless, and it's increasingly difficult to keep up. Through conversations with leaders across industries and professions, we explore how to harness the technology's potential and prepare for an AI-first future. Whether you're building a business, navigating the future of work, or simply trying to make sense of what comes next, this is for you.Hosted by Sam Chappell, founder of Axial Search, an AI executive search and recruitment firm (https://axialsearch.com), and Axial Forum, the private network for executives leading AI strategy and transformation (https://axialforum.com).Discover more episodes, tools and frameworks at https://notathreat.ai

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