Robots and Red Tape

Jeff Riley Day of AI CEO (and Former Massachusetts Education Commissioner) joins Nick Schutt to discuss how AI can transform education — and how we must avoid repeating the social media/cell phone mistakes. We cover: AI literacy as the fourth “R” — kids need to master it Personalization: teach every student at their level (2nd grade to college) Risks: AI companions, data privacy, mental health, over-reliance Lessons from smartphones/social media → act now on policy Day of AI: free training, curriculum, parent toolkits (dayai.org) If you’re a parent, educator, or policymaker, this episode is essential for 2026. Channel: @RobotsandRedTapeAI | Host: Nick Schutt Subscribe for more real conversations on tech, education, and the future.

Season 3 Premiere: “Marketplace Model for Government: Faster Discovery, Faster Awards” Ratio Exchange founders Jim Benson and Josiah Cushing join Nick Schutt to explain why open marketplaces — not rigid contract vehicles — are the future of rapid federal acquisition. We dive into: Building Ratio: from Booz Allen roots to disrupting federal sourcing Market-as-a-Service: stand up ecosystems in days, connect demand directly to supply Real examples: Tradewinds, Softwerx, defense underwater drones, self-tying boots Cautious AI use: best models per use case, no all-in bets Why cultural change (not just tech) is the real barrier to faster awards Hope: missions connecting straight to market, unconstrained innovation If you’re tired of slow federal sourcing, this episode is your 2026 wake-up call. Channel: @RobotsandRedTapeAI | Host: Nick Schutt Subscribe — Season 3 is here.

AI isn’t the “easy button” for federal proposals — yet. Host Nick Schutt talks with Lisa Shea Mundt, co-founder of The Pulse of GovCon and 14-year federal proposal veteran, about the real limits (and smart uses) of AI in GovCon business development. From desktop-publishing failures to hallucinated content, Lisa debunks the fantasy of point-and-click wins while sharing where AI actually shines today. Key topics: Why AI can’t yet replace proposal managers Best uses: brainstorming, first drafts, admin tasks, orals coaching Desktop publishing & compliance pitfalls AI still can’t solve Protecting sensitive data in LLMs The future: more orals, subjectivity, and human judgment If you’re tired of AI hype in federal sales and want the unvarnished truth, this episode is for you. Channel: @RobotsandRedTapeAI | Host: Nick Schutt Subscribe for real talk on tech, bureaucracy, and winning federal work. #AIinGovCon #FederalProposals #GovConBD #ProposalAI #FederalSales #OralsPresentations #GovConAI #aihype #responsibleai #FederalAcquisition #FAROverhaul #robotsandredtape #businessdevelopment #proposalmanagement

Why do we even need AI — and why now? Host Nick Schutt sits down with Sunil Prasad, Leidos Principal Solutions Architect and Georgia Tech-trained data scientist, for a sweeping journey through AI’s 100-year history — from 1920s conceptual foundations to today’s agentic AI — and a candid debate on whether machines will ever climb to the top of the food chain. Key topics: The 5 phases of AI evolution (1920s–2025) From perceptrons to LLMs to agentic workflows Why AI is outsourcing human cognition for the first time since the Industrial Revolution Where AI shines today (predictive analytics, autonomous systems) Where it shouldn’t go (parenting, therapy, lethal decisions) If you’re wondering whether AI is just hype or the next industrial leap, this episode is for you. Channel: @RobotsandRedTapeAI | Host: Nick Schutt Subscribe for more no-BS conversations on tech, bureaucracy, and the future.

How do you push cutting-edge tech through a political bureaucracy without getting buried?Former FEMA Chief of IT Management John Binks spent 14 years pushing technology through disaster response and political appointees — then moved to industry at Titan Technologies. He joins me to share battle-tested rules for getting AI and innovation approved when every decision feels like turning a battleship.We cover:The “run to Best Buy and buy me an AI” story every tech leader has livedWhy government moves slow (budget cycles, 90-day political resets, public visibility)Unwritten survival rules: no surprises, pre-wire decisions, bring solutionsHow one AI project automating presidential disaster declarations succeeded because of diplomacy, not just dataTurning oversight & cyber teams into allies instead of gatekeepersWhy the next generation of leaders gives him massive hopeIf you sell to, work in, or just survive federal bureaucracy — this episode is pure gold.Grab John’s hilarious book Bots & Bosses: https://a.co/d/avuL9PMSubscribe for more on AI: @RobotsandRedTapeAI | Host: Nick Schutt

In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, Nick Schutt talks with Sandeep Kathuria — partner at Ice Miller, 15+ year government contracts attorney, and one of the few people who’s been in the room since the very first DoD cyber rules in 2009 — about the brand-new CMMC program that became contractually enforceable in November 2025. We break down: The 6½-year journey from DFARS 7012 to the final CMMC rule Exactly what Level 1, Level 2, and (eventually) Level 3 require Why self-attestation is gone and third-party certification is mandatory The assessor bottleneck (100+ accredited worldwide) and how to get in line Real workarounds small companies are already using (store CUI on your prime’s compliant system) False Claims Act landmines around inflated SPRS scores Whether all this new red tape will actually scare innovators away from DoD work If you touch DoD contracts in any way — prime, sub, or supplier — this is required listening. Channel: @RobotsandRedTapeAI | Host: Nick Schutt Subscribe so you don’t get locked out of your next RFP.

Paco Nathan has been building AI since 1983 - before it was cool, before it was profitable, and through every hype winter since. In this no-BS conversation with Nick Schutt on Robots and Red Tape, Paco explains why this wave is legitimately different (hardware finally caught up), why the AGI/superintelligence talk is marketing fiction backed by trillions, and where the real wins are hiding: anti-money-laundering, fraud detection, and preserving institutional knowledge as veteran workers retire. A masterclass in spotting hype vs. reality: Why hardware, software, then process is the real AI hierarchy The dirty secrets of latency & cost killing most “agentic” demos How graphs and entity resolution are the hidden backbone of mission-critical AI Lessons from Spark/Databricks that every GenAI builder needs right now Why team intelligence, not artificial intelligence, should drive policy Go deep on Spark-era lessons every GenAI startup is painfully re-learning, why UX is now the biggest bottleneck for adoption, why relationships (in graphs and in orgs) matter more than facts, and why policy makers should regulate “team intelligence” instead of “artificial intelligence.” Books mentioned: “Seeing Like a State” – James C. Scott “A Grammar of Motives” – Kenneth Burke “Open Society and Its Enemies” – Karl Popper “Human Scale” trilogy – Kirkpatrick Sale Full episode on Robots and Red Tape, also on Apple, Spotify, and everywhere else. | Host: Nick Schutt Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one! @RobotsandRedTapeAI

Why Gartner and MIT say 75–95% of AI projects fail to show real value? Because the data house has no foundation. In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, Nick Schutt sits down with Gurpinder Dhillon, Head of Data & AI Ecosystem at Senzing, PhD in data quality impact, and author of the new book “Think Data, Act AI, " to go deep on critical world of data infrastructure. Nick and Gurpinder break down: The real difference between data infrastructure, architecture, and ecosystem The 4 non-negotiable pillars every org needs (quality, integration, governance, context) How entity resolution prevents million-dollar marketing disasters and fraud Why “garbage in, garbage out” has become “garbage in, garbage multiplied” with GenAI The red tape Gurpinder would cut tomorrow to finally let teams innovate If you’re tired of AI hype and want the plumbing that actually makes it work, this episode is for you. 🔗 Grab Gurpinder’s book “Think Data, Act AI, The New Playbook for Business Leaders”: https://www.amazon.com/Think-Data-Act-AI-Playbook/dp/B0F59VDVFF Full episode on Robots and Red Tape | Host: Nick Schutt Subscribe so you don’t miss the next one! @RobotsandRedTapeAI

Can the grid power AI's future? Join host Nick Schutt on Robots and Red Tape as he chats with Harry Munroe, IBM quantum ambassador and energy expert. Harry explains the U.S.'s three fragmented grids, real-time supply-demand balancing, and massive data center demands (up to terawatt-hours yearly). Discover quantum's role in batteries/solar and grid modernization challenges. A must-listen for tech and energy pros! *Three U.S. grids: West, East, Texas (ERCOT) *Real-time electron matching; *60Hz stability Data centers = small city power (100MW+) *Quantum for materials, optimization

Can AI revolutionize legal tech?Join host Nick Schutt on Robots and Red Tape as he chats with Josh Wood, former Director of Litigation Support at DOJ. Josh shares his 30-year journey prosecuting massive cases like BP Oil Spill and Deepwater Horizon. Discover AI's role in managing terabytes of data and future innovations.A must-listen for legal pros and tech enthusiasts!*Massive case logistics: BP Oil Spill (10M docs),*Katrina claims Tech evolution: From TAR (Technology Assisted Review) to generative AI challenges*Bottlenecks: Processing, chain of custody, metadata*Future: One attorney per case with LLMs🎙️ Subscribe for more AI insights: @RobotsandRedTapeAI

Does AI distort or reveal the truth? 🎙️On Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt dives into this question with Dr. Annie Green, knowledge management pioneer and author. Annie unpacks why robust data management is key to trustworthy AI, tackling issues like misinformation and flawed governance. She highlights the value of human expertise and champions AI as a tool to augment, not replace, us. Essential for tech enthusiasts and truth-seekers!📚 📖 Diary of HI & AI: The Nexus of Human Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence, by Dr. Annie Green can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1968006141/ref=sr_1_1🤖 Subscribe to Robots and Red Tape for cutting-edge tech insights: @RobotsandRedTapeAI#AI #DataGovernance #TechPodcast #RobotsAndRedTape

AI is transforming our world, but is its infrastructure secure? In this Robots and Red Tape episode, host Nick Schutt sits down with Matt Wesmiller, a counterintelligence veteran, to explore the unseen risks in critical infrastructure security. Matt reveals the complexity of supply chains, from adversary-controlled rare earth minerals to data poisoning threats in AI models. “The human is always the weakest link,” he warns, citing insider threats like Robert Hanssen. From intellectual property theft to fragile water systems, Matt emphasizes proactive counterintelligence to protect national security. Essential listening for those invested in AI’s risks and rewards. Tune in to uncover strategies to safeguard our tech-driven future. Subscribe for more tech-driven insights: / @RobotsandRedTapeAI

How should parents navigate the AI era? In this Robots and Red Tape episode, host Nick Schutt joins Dr. Lauren Westerberg, a developmental psychologist, and Josh Thiel, a tech innovator and former Special Ops commander, to explore raising AI-savvy kids. They discuss balancing AI tools with foundational skills like critical thinking: “Teach kids to question, not just accept AI answers,” Lauren urges. From introducing STEM in preschool for long-term academic success to combating misinformation through source evaluation, they share strategies to foster curiosity and resilience. They also tackles equitable tech access, advocating for universal device and internet availability to prepare kids for a tech-driven workforce. Perfect for parents and educators shaping the next generation.

Can AI transform education? 🎓In this Robots and Red Tape episode, host Nick Schutt sits down with Page Durham, a 23-year music teacher turned instructional designer, to explore AI’s game-changing role in classrooms. From launching her AI-focused business inspired by tools like ChatGPT to rethinking standardized testing’s failures, Page shares how AI personalizes learning (think baseball-themed math!) and boosts critical thinking. Learn why banning AI is like banning calculators and how teachers can use it to save time and engage students. A must-listen for educators, parents, and tech fans!

In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt interviews Anoop Mehendale, an entrepreneur and AI innovator with extensive experience in healthcare and data analytics, to explore AI’s transformative potential in revolutionizing healthcare through unified medical records and data-driven solutions. Anoop shares his journey from building an R&D center for Daimler Chrysler in India to launching an AI-driven healthcare startup that went IPO in 2022. He discusses how AI can address healthcare’s data fragmentation, streamline administrative inefficiencies, and enhance patient care, drawing from his work at Highmark, Optum, and Aetna. Reflecting on the White House’s CMS-led initiative for unified medical records, Anoop notes, “With AI, you can do a lot more with a massive dataset” (53:24), emphasizing its potential to boost research and personalize medicine while addressing challenges like standardization and privacy concerns. He delves into the need for industry-specific AI benchmarks and a convenor role for CMS to align data standards, advocating for AI as a collaborative tool that complements human oversight. Tune in for insights on how AI can reshape healthcare, from improving patient outcomes to advancing public health research. Subscribe for more insights on AI.

In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt interviews Derry Goberdhansingh, a versatile technologist and entrepreneur with a diverse background spanning AI, blockchain, hardware development, and data analytics, to explore how a broad skillset fuels innovation in AI and beyond. Derry shares his journey from pulling cables and managing logistics to building IoT-enabled cameras for drones and helicopters, fixing a global bug in Samsung phones, and pioneering blockchain analytics before it became mainstream. He discusses how his “desire to learn” drives him to master new fields, from AI 11 years ago to electromagnetic spectrum applications for satellite technology. Derry emphasizes the power of a generalist’s perspective, recounting how his knowledge of physical sciences transformed a complex AI data analysis project, achieving 99% model accuracy in days instead of months by reframing the problem space. The conversation dives into the balance between specialization and generalization in AI development, with Derry advocating for a holistic approach to problem-solving: “You can be very right and extremely wrong at the same time”. He highlights the importance of understanding interconnected systems, anticipating unintended consequences, and fostering human-centric AI solutions that respect the workforce. From quantum computing’s potential to the societal impacts of automation, Derry offers insights on preparing for technological shifts while ensuring opportunities for reskilling. Tune in for a dynamic discussion on how diverse knowledge drives AI innovation and the human challenges of technological change. Subscribe for more insights on AI: https://www.youtube.com/@RobotsandRedTapeAI

In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt interviews Michal Augustini, a lifestyle photographer and AI educator, to explore the transformative impact of AI on photography.Michal discusses how tools like MidJourney, ChatGPT, and Adobe Lightroom streamline retouching, mood board creation, and administrative tasks, allowing creatives to focus on their craft. He delves into the balance between AI-generated and human-assisted art, emphasizing AI as a collaborative assistant:“I tend to look at AI as a collaborator… it’s your assistant.” Offering practical advice for aspiring photographers, Michal highlights finding a niche and leveraging AI to enhance, not replace, human creativity.Tune in for insights on AI’s role in creative industries and the enduring value of human connection.Subscribe for more insights on AI: https://www.youtube.com/@RobotsandRedTapeAI

Join host Nick Schutt on Robots and Red Tape for an insightful chat with Lucas Petty, founder of AI Daddy, on harnessing AI for business success. Lucas shares his pivot from marketing ops to AI strategy, revealing how AI drives 50% revenue growth in marketing without new hires. Explore the 5-day AI adoption plan, horizontal vs. vertical use cases, and why nonprofits are ripe for AI disruption—plus warnings on privacy risks like unprotected therapy chats. A must-watch for leaders integrating AI ethically.Subscribe for more AI and tech discussions! Listen on your favorite platform.

In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt welcomes back Matt Kilbane, AI engineer and governance expert, to discuss groundbreaking projects like Project Merit—a quarterly pulse survey for real-time economic data on AI impacts. Matt explores global AI trends: Europe's lead in innovation with €200B funding, China's robotics dominance, India's biomed research edge, and the US's focus on defense tech amid brain drain concerns. Delve into agentic AI's potential to collapse business processes, the need for digital sovereignty, and reimagining society—from UBI debates to ethical regulation. A must-watch for tech leaders and policymakers on building a utopian AI future.Subscribe for more on AI ethics and innovation! #AI #AIGovernance #TechInnovation

Join host Nick Schutt on Robots and Red Tape for a fascinating dive into AI with Gissele Gajate Garrido, a PhD economist and analytics leader at EY with over 20 years of experience. From global impact evaluations to optimizing pricing at Nestlé and leading AI-driven analytics at EY, Gissele demystifies how AI works—breaking down transformer models that turn words into multi-dimensional math, not magic.Discover why AI lacks morals, risks biases from data sources like Reddit, and ignores externalities unless explicitly programmed, with real-world implications for fields like pharmaceuticals. Gissele shares her passion for responsible AI, emphasizing human oversight, retraining to avoid hallucinations, and simple, practical tools—like her game-changing recruiting optimizer.Key takeaways: AI thrives in volatile times but needs education and accountability to avoid catastrophic errors; it’s about creating more “pies” for everyone, not just slicing them differently. Perfect for leaders, tech enthusiasts, and anyone curious about AI’s potential and pitfalls.🎧 Subscribe for more episodes on tech and efficiency! #AI #ResponsibleAI #DataScience #TechInnovation #RobotsAndRedTape