WiTH Podcast

WiTH Connection Corner

Women in Technology: Hollywood (WiTH) and their professional development committee host Connection Corner to present their thought leadership discussions.  To learn more visit WiTHollywood.org and subscribe to our WiTH Wire weekly newsletter.

  1. 10/27/2025

    S3 E6 - Seizing the AI Moment - Teaching Machines to Understand Video with Soyoung Lee

    #AI #VideoAI #WomenInTech 🎙️ Seizing the AI Moment | Ep. [5] Guest: Soyoung Lee, Co-Founder & Head of Go-To-Market, Twelve Labs Host: Filiz Bahmanpour | Women in Technology Hollywood (WiTH) In this episode of Seizing the AI Moment, host Filiz Bahmanpour sits down with Soyoung Lee, co-founder and head of go-to-market at Twelve Labs, one of the fastest-growing startups in multimodal AI. From her early days in finance auditing at PwC to leading a 120-person team pioneering machine video understanding, Soyoung shares how Twelve Labs is on a mission to make every frame of video searchable, taggable, and actionable. We explore how Twelve Labs is transforming the way media companies, creators, and enterprises leverage video through multimodal and agentic AI—where intelligent systems can not only search, but also assemble highlights, generate insights, and deliver personalized experiences at scale. 💡 What We Cover in This Episode: 🎥 1. Teaching Machines to Understand Video How Twelve Labs’ multimodal AI interprets video context—linking visuals, audio, and text—to unlock new dimensions of search and discovery. 🚀 2. The Founder’s Journey Soyoung opens up about the “naïve confidence” and curiosity that fueled her leap from PwC to AI entrepreneurship—and the lessons learned in building a company from the ground up. 🧩 3. Educating the Market How the team navigated an ecosystem that didn’t yet know what “multimodal AI” was—and the strategies that helped establish Twelve Labs as a category leader. ⚙️ 4. From Research to Real-World APIs Turning state-of-the-art research into scalable, production-ready APIs that power applications from sports highlight agents to creator analytics. 🧠 5. Focus, Prioritization & Adaptability Why clarity of vision and operational discipline are critical for AI startups navigating rapid growth and technological change. 🌍 6. The Future of Video Intelligence What’s next for multimodal AI—and how intelligent systems could redefine how we create, consume, and interact with video content. 🧭 Final Thoughts: Stay focused. Stay curious. Soyoung reminds us that innovation thrives where curiosity meets courage—and where technology empowers creativity at scale. 👇 Subscribe for more episodes exploring the future of AI, media & technology. 🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms. 💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going! #AI #VideoAI #MultimodalAI #WomenInTech #AgenticAI #StartupLeadership #MachineLearning #AIinMedia #VideoSearch #GenerativeAI #AIInnovation #MediaTechnology #SeizingTheAIMoment #WiTH © 2024 Women in Technology Hollywood Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Learn more at www.WiTHollywood.org

    55 min
  2. 10/06/2025

    S3 E5 - Seizing the AI Moment - AI in Advertising: Creative Super-Power or Creepy Spy?

    #AI #Advertising #WomenInTech 🎙️ Seizing the AI Moment | Ep. [4] Guest: Alena Morris, VP of Product Marketing, Kargo Host: Filiz Bahmanpour | Women in Technology Hollywood (WiTH) In this episode of Seizing the AI Moment, we sit down with Alena Morris, VP of Product Marketing at Kargo, to explore how AI is reshaping the future of digital advertising—from workflow automation to creative intelligence. Alena brings a powerful career perspective spanning CBS Interactive, Quantcast, PubMatic, and Kargo, sharing how a creative-first, performance-driven mindset is redefining the ad-tech ecosystem. 💡 What We Cover in This Episode: 📈 1. The AI Revolution in Advertising How generative AI is transforming everything from RFP automation to cross-channel media planning—and what it means for ad-ops, planners, and creatives. 🎨 2. Creativity Meets Computation Why AI should amplify human storytelling, not replace it—and how leading brands are experimenting with AI-driven creative production and predictive virality scoring. 🤖 3. Conversational Media Buying Imagine building a campaign through chat. We unpack how agentic AI could make media planning conversational—and the new skill sets this demands. ⚙️ 4. Workflow Automation & Efficiency From supply-side (SSP) to demand-side (DSP), we discuss how AI can streamline the RFP process, pacing, and reporting, creating unified, insight-driven ad workflows. 🧭 5. Ethics, Bias & Human Oversight Alena dives into AI bias mitigation, transparency, and why human review remains crucial in an automated ecosystem. 🔮 6. The Bold Predictions Will AI soon predict which ad creatives go viral—or blur the lines between DSPs and SSPs? Alena offers a reality check on what’s next for AI in media and advertising. 🧠 Final Thoughts: Stay curious. Ask questions. Build cross-functional relationships. Alena reminds us that thriving in the AI era requires both adaptability and creative courage. 👇 Subscribe for more episodes exploring the future of AI, media & technology. 🎧 Available on all major podcast platforms. 💬 Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going! #AI #Advertising #GenerativeAI #WomenInTech #AdTech #ProgrammaticAdvertising #CreativeOptimization #AIDrivenMarketing #MediaInnovation #AIethics #ConversationalAI #PredictiveAnalytics #AIinMedia #SeizingTheAIMoment #WiTH © 2024 Women in Technology Hollywood Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Learn more at www.WiTHollywood.org

    40 min
  3. 08/30/2025

    S3 E4 - Seizing the AI  Moment - How AI Is Transforming Theme Parks w/ Mafrene Lisboa

    🎢✨ How AI Is Transforming Theme Parks – With Mafrene Lisboa of Universal Destinations & Experiences In this episode, host Filiz Bahmanpour— Head of M&E at Tavant, alumni of NBCUniversal, Universal Theme Parks, and the Emmy-winning SNL team—sits down with Mafrene Lisboa, Vice President of Enterprise Data and AI at Universal Destinations & Experiences, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the guest and experiences at theme parks. From AI governance to personalized ride recommendations to holographic characters and facial-recognition fast-passes, Mafrene shares how AI is turning everyday visits into immersive, tailor-made adventures. 🎡 What You’ll Learn: How AI powers ride optimization, wait-time forecasting, and weather-aware suggestions The role of generative AI in designing guest journeys that feel one-of-a-kind Behind-the-scenes of Universal’s AI Center of Excellence—balancing privacy, governance, and rapid experimentation Real-world applications of AI in pricing, personalization, and performance Ethical frameworks that keep innovation responsible and guest-centric 💡 Whether you're a theme-park enthusiast, a data-driven leader, or just curious about the future of AI, this episode offers: Fresh insights Actionable takeaways A glimpse into a world where every ride knows your name 📲 Listen, Share & Subscribe If this episode sparked an idea, share it with your network using #SeizingAI. Don’t forget to subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of technology, creativity, and experience design. #WiTHPodcast, #SeizingTheAIMoment, #ai , #themepark, #personalization, #privacy, #AICouncil,#artificialintelligence, #generativeAI, #facialrecognition, #technology, #technologynews  #holograms, #dataanonymization, #datasecurity, #llms, #largelanguagemodels, #promptengineering, #AIethics, #guestexperience , #ridecapacity #optimization, #crowdmanagement , #staffscheduling, #foodprepAI, #AIdrivenrecommendations, #hyperpersonalization, #observability, #AIgovernance, #AIasteammate, #aiinentertainment © 2024 Women in Technology Hollywood Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Learn more at www.WiTHollywood.org

    34 min
  4. 07/24/2025

    S3 E3 - Seizing the AI Moment - Data, AI & CX Transformation with Natasha Mohanty

    🎙️ Seizing the AI Moment | Ep. [3] Guest: Natasha Mohanty, Co-Founder & CTO, Prisma AI Hosts: Filiz Bahmanpour & Margarita Lam | Women in Technology Hollywood (WiTH) In this episode of Seizing the AI Moment, we sit down with trailblazer Natasha Mohanty—a technology leader with a proven track record across engineering, data, and machine learning. As Co-Founder and CTO of Prisma AI, Natasha has created powerful AI-driven products for global brands like Stripe, Google, and Nielsen Gracenote. She brings her passion for mentorship, creativity, and consumer innovation to this vibrant conversation. 💡 What We Cover in This Episode: ⏩ 1. AI’s Role in Content Discovery & Engagement Explore how AI is transforming how we discover and interact with content by learning from human emotion and preference. 🎨 2. The Future of AI-Driven Content Creation Natasha discusses how AI empowers creators—whether it’s writing lyrics or generating immersive visuals—with or without technical skills. 📣 3. Personalized Advertising & Consumer Connection A look at how AI is reshaping ads into contextually relevant experiences that deepen the consumer journey. 🔐 4. Balancing Innovation & Privacy Why transparency and user choice are critical—and how we can build responsible AI experiences. 🚀 5. The Next Frontier: Real-Time Adaptive Content Imagine content that evolves in real time based on your mood or behavior—Natasha shares both the potential and the ethical implications. 🧠 Final Thoughts: Natasha reminds us that AI is a tool—but human creativity is the driver. The future belongs to those who embrace both. Subscribe for more episodes exploring the future of AI, media & tech. Available on all major podcast platforms.  Drop your thoughts in the comments—let’s keep the conversation going! #AI #ContentDiscovery #WomenInTech #PrismaAI #ArtificialIntelligence #MediaInnovation #PersonalizedContent #AIethics #CreativeAI #SeizingTheAIMoment #WiTH © 2024 Women in Technology Hollywood Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Learn more at www.WiTHollywood.org

    34 min
  5. 05/27/2025

    S3 E2 - Seizing the AI Moment - Revolutionizing Beauty w/ Sowmya Gottipati of Estée Lauder

    In this episode of the WiTH Podcast's new series, "Seizing the AI Moment," host Filiz Bahmanpour engages in a captivating conversation with Sowmya Gottipati, a global technology executive leading technology delivery and digital transformation at Estée Lauder. The discussion delves into how AI is reshaping the beauty industry, from personalized skincare to AI-powered fragrance design. Key Highlights Introduction and Guest Background (00:00 – 01:18) Filiz Bahmanpour introduces the podcast and guest Sowmya Gottipati, highlighting her extensive experience in technology and AI across various industries. Career Journey and AI in Beauty (01:48 – 06:40) Sowmya discusses her career path from AT&T Bell Labs to Estee Lauder, focusing on her involvement with AI and its applications in the beauty sector. AI’s Impact on Beauty (06:40 – 09:56) The conversation explores how AI is transforming consumer experiences through virtual try-ons, trend identification, and Estee Lauder’s strategic vision for sustainable growth. Aha Moment with AI (09:12 – 10:57) Sowmya shares her realization of AI’s potential during the pandemic, particularly with virtual fragrance trials, highlighting AI’s role in personalization and product formulation. Advice for Younger Self (13:13 – 14:20) She emphasizes the importance of evolving AI models alongside beauty trends and addressing diverse demographics in AI applications. AI Innovations in Beauty (15:27 – 16:37) Discussion covers AI-driven innovation in fragrance, revolutionizing product development and ingredient discovery. Governance and Adoption of AI (17:11 – 19:33) Sowmyaexplains Estee Lauder’s AI Task Force, created to ensure strategic alignment and governance of AI initiatives. Balancing AI with Craftsmanship (20:00 – 20:50) A conversation on preserving artistry and emotional connection in beauty while leveraging AI for innovation and efficiency. Sustainability and AI (21:24 – 22:40) Sowmyahighlights AI’s role in sustainability efforts, including reducing carbon footprints and optimizing resources. Quick Fire Yes or No (26:18 – 27:59) A fun rapid-fire segment where Sowmya answers questions about AI’s future in beauty trends and personalization. Final Thoughts and Takeaways (29:45 – 30:04) Sowmya stresses the importance of integrating AI into all aspects of life and the beauty industry to fully harness its potential. Personal Insight (30:30 – 30:42) Sowmya shares a personal fact: she holds a private pilot license. © 2024 Women in Technology Hollywood Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Learn more at www.WiTHollywood.org

    29 min
  6. 05/05/2025

    S3 E1 - Seizing the AI Moment - Game On w/ iAsia Brown of Xbox

    In this episode of "Seizing the AI Moment," hosts Filiz Bahmanpour and Margarita Lam from Women in Technology Hollywood (WiTH) engage in a compelling conversation with iAsia Brown, also known as Tech Picasso. iAsia, a senior producer at Xbox Game Studios and a former Air Force and Marine member, shares her inspiring journey and insights into the transformative role of AI in gaming. Key Highlights: Introduction to the Series and Hosts (00:19 - 01:41): Filiz Bahmanpour and Margarita Lam introduce the podcast series and their backgrounds in media and technology. Guest Introduction (01:41 - 02:38): iAsia Brown is introduced as a senior producer at Xbox Game Studios and a passionate advocate for representation and equity in gaming. iAsia's Origin Story (02:41 - 04:11): iAsia shares her personal journey into gaming, describing it as a refuge and a community that provided safety and support during challenging times. Gaming as a Profession (04:18 - 06:25): iAsia discusses how gaming became her profession of choice, emphasizing the importance of community and support in the gaming world. AI in Gaming (06:41 - 09:02): iAsia recounts her first encounter with AI in gaming and its potential to create emotionally responsive non-player characters (NPCs) and enhance accessibility through real-time localization. Advice to Younger Generations (09:27 - 10:31): iAsia advises young people to document their ideas and dreams, as AI can now bring many of them to life. Working with Younger Generations (10:49 - 12:03): iAsia highlights the importance of succession planning and teaching the next generation about technology and gaming. AI and Accessibility (12:35 - 14:21): iAsia discusses how AI can improve accessibility in gaming by addressing language barriers and considering the needs of diverse communities. Quickfire Yes or No (15:58 - 16:38): iAsia answers rapid-fire questions about the future of AI in gaming, including its potential to write indie games and fix toxicity in online gaming. Hot Takes and Bold Predictions (17:41 - 22:10): iAsia shares her views on AI-generated open worlds, the artistic value of AI-generated content, and the role of AI in creative jobs. Conclusion and Wrap-Up (22:31 - 24:02): The hosts thank iAsia for her insights and encourage listeners to subscribe and engage with the Women in Technology Hollywood community. This episode provides a deep dive into the intersection of AI and gaming, highlighting the potential for AI to enhance creativity, accessibility, and community within the gaming industry. Love it? Subscribe and Leave us a ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ review and forward this to a friend. © 2024 Women in Technology Hollywood Foundation, Inc. a 501(c)3 non-profit corporation. Learn more at www.WiTHollywood.org

    23 min
5
out of 5
6 Ratings

About

Women in Technology: Hollywood (WiTH) and their professional development committee host Connection Corner to present their thought leadership discussions.  To learn more visit WiTHollywood.org and subscribe to our WiTH Wire weekly newsletter.