AI in Action

Explore the podcast → https://ibm.biz/BdbYhMLearn about AI agents for procurement → https://ibm.biz/BdbYhSProcurement is stepping into the future with AI. In this AI in Action episode, expert Daniel Barnes chats with David Levy about how agentic AI is shaking up procurement, which has long been stuck in spreadsheets and slow processes. Watch the episode to understand how AI is pulling insights from contracts, vendor documents and other datasets, empowering procurement teams to make smarter, faster decisions. Also, learn how some companies are stumbling by trying to AI everything at once. Companies need to understand that the smart move is to start small and then scale up. 0:00 - Intro02:14 - Data management in procurement 08:45 - How agentic AI has changed procurement13:10 - How AI and data are redefining vendor evaluation17:17 - Getting CPOs started with the right technology23:54 - The rise of agentic negotiators26:37 - Risks of ignoring AI-driven procurement opportunitiesThe opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

Most companies struggle with AI. And it’s usually not because the technology doesn’t work, but because the right adoption approach isn’t followed. As Conor Grennan, Chief AI Architect at New York University, puts it, treating AI like a digital transformation initiative is a recipe for failure. What actually works is when leaders move beyond rolling out AI tools and drive the behavioral shift that sets clear expectations and enables real change.When leadership teams get the people part right, they can avoid the usual mistakes, align teams on what matters and turn AI into real business results.Learn about AI agents and application architecture → https://ibm.biz/BdbR2B 0:00 Intro04:52 AI adoption is a behavioral challenge07:55 AI isn’t digital transformation 11:30 The risk of using AI agents as mere replacements16:31 Finding the AI champion who drives change18:18 The shift from commands to conversations22:39 The foundation for scaling AI workflows32:22 Why AI agents aren’t just machines33:15 Trust, hallucinations and the data problemThe opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity. AI news is moving fast. Keep your business ahead with updates about AI advancements, strategies and expert perspectives → https://ibm.biz/BdbdvS

AI and robotics are revolutionizing industrial work and automation by enhancing efficiency, reducing costs and safeguarding human workers from hazardous tasks. In this episode, Aaron Saunders, CTO of Boston Dynamics, delves into the transformative potential of AI-powered robotics, highlighting how robots are becoming safer, more cost-effective and widely accessible through Robotics as a Service (RaaS). He shares real-world applications of industrial robotics, insights into ROI and the shift from deterministic systems to open-ended technologies, while also addressing key challenges, such as managing expectations and ensuring data privacy. Timestamps:0:00 Intro03:03 The future of robots with generative AI07:22 Beyond warehouses: New uses for AI robots12:29 ROI from AI-powered robotics15:13 The next phase of AI and robotics18:41 Guidance for CTOs on AI and roboticsThe opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.  AI news is moving fast. Keep your business ahead with updates about AI advancements, strategies and expert perspectives → https://ibm.biz/BdnXVJ #AI #Robotics #IndustrialAutomation #RoboticsasAService #ReturnOnInvestment #SafetyInAutomation #FutureTech #AaronSaunders #DavidLevy 

AI in retail is no longer a buzzword. It’s a reality, and Tractor Supply Company has been one of the pioneers in driving it forward.In this conversation, Glenn Allison, VP of AI platforms at Tractor Supply Company, explains how AI communicators, mobile apps and computer vision are making life easier for teams and creating a truly AI-enabled customer experience.Watch the episode to witness generative AI in action. Discover how it’s reshaping workflows, powering decisions and fueling innovation across retail. Timestamps:0:00 Intro03:34 Balancing AI innovation and operations06:09 AI agents transforming retail12:54 Scaling up for AI17:25 Continuous learning in the age of AI19:56 Boosting ROI through AI22:40 The workforce response to AI The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.  AI news is moving fast. Keep your business ahead with updates about AI advancements, strategies and expert perspectives → https://ibm.biz/BdnXVJ #AIinRetail #TractorSupply #ArtificialIntelligence #CustomerExperience #Innovation #GlennAllison #DavidLevy

Is generative AI just a productivity hack—or your team’s secret to loving work again? Deborah Lovich, Managing Director and Senior Partner, Boston Consulting Group, believes that when AI is used to decrease the grind and increase the joy, employees embrace it instead of resisting. Hence, Deborah encourages businesses to develop AI tools with employees, equip managers to lead AI adoption and customize AI learning opportunities. The result? Motivated teams, lower churn and bigger profits. Catch the full discussion to learn how you can transform work by putting your people at the center of all AI initiatives.The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

AI is using more energy than ever, but it’s also making us more productive and efficient. So how can we dial down energy consumption without losing the momentum? Let’s find out from Joseph Majkut, Director of the Energy Security and Climate Change Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). In this episode of AI in Action, Joseph talks about the critical intersection of AI and energy, explaining the impact of AI on power grids and discussing the potential solutions for efficient power generation. Watch the full episode to discover how AI poses both challenges and opportunities for energy consumption, focusing on generative AI data centers, energy efficiency, and the role of nuclear power.Timestamps:0:00 Intro06:18 AI demand versus energy supply09:18 Easing energy demand through infrastructure and operations12:44 Reframing energy use in AI workflows15:46 The most compelling aspect of how AI meets energy19:13 Advice for leaders on using AI without overloading the grid

The data flood is real. And you can either use it to power your decisions or drown in it and lose your way. In this episode of the AI in Action podcast, Cassie Kozyrkov, CEO of Koyzr, explains the concept of decision intelligence, which is based on data, AI and human insight. Cassie emphasizes that while most organizations are busy collecting vast amounts of information, this effort is only valuable when the data leads to better choices or smarter decisions. And this is where decision intelligence comes into play. It helps leaders make sense of data, use generative AI wisely, and base decisions on what truly matters. Catch the full discussion to learn how you can do data-driven decision-making and create real impact within your business.0:01 Intro06:13 Data usage matters more than data size11:03 How to separate good data from bad16:12 Handling irrationality in human decisions20:49 Data choices reflect personal priorities26:50 Our experiences shape AI bias30:13 Should we limit data collection?

Operational disruptions don’t come unannounced. There are always early warning signs—if only you have the right observability solution to catch them before they snowball into costly outages. In this episode of the AI in Action podcast, Vikram Murali, VP of Software Development for IBM Automation, explains how continuous observability has taken the baton from traditional monitoring, giving a new meaning to operational resilience. Observability has transformed reactive measures into proactive steps, leading to more seamless operations and fewer costly disruptions. Catch the full discussion to learn how you can run your business smoothly by tapping into the combined power of observability, automation and remediation. 0:00 Intro03:35 How do AI solutions affect observability?07:35 How much visibility does observability provide?12:26 The difference between good and bad observability tools20:21 Choosing the right data for the observability tool23:42 Balancing power and control in agentic frameworks26:33 Getting started with observability The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

Finding a house that matches your budget and style doesn’t have to be a struggle. All you need is the right AI tool that can open the door to your dream abode. And that’s precisely what Redfin is offering with their AI-driven real estate solutions. In this episode of the AI in Action podcast, Ariel Dos Santos, SVP of Product and Design at Redfin, shares how they’re using AI to transform the house-hunting process. Redfin is tapping into vast amounts of data to understand buyers’ preferences and provide tailored recommendations, making it easier for people to make their next big move. Tune in for a detailed insight into Redfin’s AI vision—and how it’s going to make the home search process smarter, smoother and a lot more fun.

In today’s dynamic and fast-paced world, focusing solely on productivity won’t cut it. C-suite leaders need to step up and drive strategic business transformation with the power of AI agents. Joining us on the AI in Action podcast this time is none other than Allie K. Miller, CEO of Open Machine. In the episode, Allie shares powerful insights on how agentic AI is revolutionizing business operations—and what C-suite leaders must do to stay ahead of the curve. Watch the full discussion to learn why agentic AI isn’t an upgrade—but a game-changer. Also, while employees must upskill to thrive in the AI era, leaders have a greater responsibility: adopting AI agents without disrupting the balance between technology and humans. The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

AI is changing the dynamics of every field—and sales is no exception. But what does that look like in action? In this episode, Morgan Ingram, founder and CEO of AMP Creative, explains how AI substantially increases the active selling time of sales professionals by automating the grunt work. For example, AI slashes the proposal creation time from hours to minutes. And that’s not it—AI also helps craft sharper, more personalized sales messages that improve response rates and drive higher revenue.Watch the full discussion on how you can AI-optimize your sales workflow, empowering sellers to focus on what matters—closing deals and boosting the bottom line.The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.

AI will transform investment management over the next 5–10 years. How ready are you for this change?    Find the answer in the new AI in Action podcast episode, where we discuss AI in finance with Ron Insana, CEO of iFi AI and longtime CNBC contributor.  With more than 4 decades of experience, Ron has seen major shifts in the financial services industry. And now with generative AI (gen AI), he’s witnessing finance undergo another massive transformation.  Tune in to explore how gen AI is revolutionizing financial services, enhancing productivity and reshaping the investment management landscape. Learn how you can harness AI to future-proof your finance organization.  The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.  AI news is moving fast. Keep your business ahead with updates about AI advancements, strategies and expert perspectives → https://ibm.biz/BdnXVJ

In this episode of the AI in Action podcast, our host, David Levy, is joined by Steve Moss, Director of watsonx Americas at IBM, to discuss HR, agentic AI, and the real-world impact of IBM’s transformation journey.   Dive into this insightful conversation to get an insider’s look at how IBM has integrated AI agents into the HR workflow—and how you can harness their power, too. Agentic AI drives strategic shifts, boosts productivity and scales teams effectively. Learn what it takes to advance from traditional AI to agentic AI in HR and beyond. The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.   

The rise of agentic AI is significantly expanding and widening the attack surface for cybersecurity threats. As AI systems become more capable of autonomous decision-making and action, they simultaneously introduce newer vulnerabilities across workflows, data pipelines and third-party integrations. In this episode, Wendi Whitmore, Senior Vice President of Unit 42 at Palo Alto Networks, shares her views on how agentic AI is redefining the cybersecurity game for both sides: attackers and defenders. Attackers have already started leveraging agentic AI to make the cyberattack process faster and more efficient. Now, the onus is on cyber defenders to quickly harness agentic AI and build security controls that not just match but outpower the speed, sophistication and scale of new age, AI-driven cyberthreats. The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity. 

Jim "Bones" Mackay has caddied for the best golfers in the world. In his time caddying at the Augusta National tournament, he has seen and overseen thousands of winning shots across the famed Masters course. He has provided some of his firsthand insights, alongside the data collected from 180,000 historical shots over nine years of play, to help the tournament field an AI-driven app. Thanks to the app, fans worldwide can virtually stand on the green alongside the greats and gain insights into the tournament—shot by shot. In this episode, MacKay joins IBM’s Monica Ellingson to share his perspective on the story unfolding at the Masters. Together, they discuss how data-driven analysis and AI-based predictions transform the way players, caddies and fans approach the game. The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity. 

There’s a reason over 70% of Fortune 500 enterprises rely on mainframes to support their core operations. Despite being around since the 1950s, mainframes are not relics of the past, but rather a vital component of AI strategy and implementation. In this episode, Donna Dillenberger, IBM Fellow and CTO of Hybrid Cloud Systems Research, and Rosalind Radcliffe, IBM fellow and CTO for IBM CIO Platform Transformation, discuss how mainframes can be the nerve center that powers AI. They also talk about what it’s like to be a woman working in infrastructure and AI, and provide advice for women looking to break into the industry. The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.  

How is generative AI changing the world of marketing personalization? Gen AI is a major component in marketing automation today, and it’s important to learn how this form of AI can be used to personalize marketing content without creeping out consumers. In this episode, Emily McReynolds, head of global AI strategy at Adobe, and Pierre Charchaflian, VP senior partner and marketing practice global leader at IBM, talk about how gen AI is changing the game when it comes to personalized marketing content.

The Mayo Clinic used years of data from 600,000 patients to build an AI model that can detect and predict what doctors sometimes cannot. Dr. Guru Kowlgi, a cardiac electrophysiologist at the Clinic, joins us to discuss the complexity of data curation for AI modeling and how that curation is tied to trust.

Grammy Award-Winning Artist NE-YO and Ed Ulbrich, Chief Content Officer of Metaphysic, talk about AI ethics and risks when using AI to create art and entertain. Is AI in art about scaling and amplifying creativity, or just laziness? Can we maintain the artist to person connection when using their likeness to perform? Either way, AI is being used in art like any other technological tool, and we need the guardrails to keep what’s good.

What if instead of focusing on productivity, we used AI technology to solve our most pressing, human problems like where to find medicine or how to avoid the collapse of the banking system in Ukraine? Listen to James Hodson, Co-Founder and CEO of AI for Good, talk about how AI technology can positively transform communities, but only if we provide the necessary infrastructure and education to get people on board.    The opinions expressed in this podcast are solely those of the participants and do not necessarily reflect the views of IBM or any other organization or entity.