Future Back Drinking with Dr. Athina Kanioura

Renowned researcher, author, and Nielsen Norman Group co-founder Don Norman joins Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi to discuss how design must adapt in the age of AI. Norman shares insights from his journey - starting with coining the term “user experience” at Apple to his current advocacy for humanity-centered design, an approach that reaches beyond products to influence organizations, policy, and the planet. Together, they explore how designers can shift from focusing on aesthetics to embracing systems thinking, why cross-disciplinary collaboration is vital, and how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and purpose.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi sit down with Ravi Kumar, CEO of Cognizant and one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People in AI, to explore how technology is reshaping the very fabric of work. Ravi shares his vision for a future where AI acts not as a replacement but as an equalizer, a tool that amplifies human potential, sparks innovation, and creates new pathways for lifelong learning. Together, they discuss the rise of “agentic capital,” the growing value of non-STEM and interdisciplinary skills, and why agility, curiosity, and continuous learning will define the next generation of leaders.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Future Back Drinking is back! For the Season Two premiere, Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi are joined by TIME CEO Jessica Sibley for a conversation on strategic leadership and business innovation. Together, they discuss how to transform legacy brands without losing their identity, the role of bold leadership in navigating change, and why embracing AI and new technologies is critical to the future of media and business. This new season will continue to feature thought-provoking conversations with leaders who are redefining how we build, innovate, and lead in a rapidly changing world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Welcome to a special bonus episode of Future Back Drinking!  As we wrapped our first season, there was one last conversation we couldn’t keep to ourselves. On this episode, host Dr. Athina Kanioura sits down with Marc Benioff, Chair, CEO, and Co-Founder of Salesforce, and the owner of TIME. Marc has not only shaped the modern cloud landscape but has redefined what it means to lead with purpose in an age of relentless technological change. In this dynamic discussion, they unpack the potential of agentic AI, Salesforce’s bold new Agentforce platform, what it takes to build (and maintain) trust, and why corporate philanthropy should be baked into every business model from day one. Marc also shares how AI is transforming decision-making at Salesforce, and why he believes the company’s most exciting chapter is just beginning. Tune in for an honest, future-facing conversation with one of tech’s boldest innovators - and a deeper look at how vision, values, and AI are reshaping the enterprise landscape.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In the Season One finale of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura sits down with Becky Frankiewicz, Chief Commercial Officer and President of ManpowerGroup North America, for a thought-provoking conversation on the future of work. Becky shares how growing up in a small Texas town shaped her deep commitment to making work meaningful, valuable, and rooted in integrity. Together, she and Athina explore the critical role of reskilling and upskilling in an AI-driven world, the power of human-centric technology, and what it takes to build an innovative, future-ready workforce. Don’t miss this powerful season finale!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Vilas Dhar leads The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a $1.5 billion philanthropy dedicated to leveraging AI and data for a more equitable and sustainable future. In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura sits down with Vilas to explore the powerful intersection of philanthropy, technology, and AI-driven social impact. He shares his insights on using AI as a force for good—tackling global challenges while ensuring no community is left behind. Tune in for a compelling discussion on how we can harness AI to drive meaningful social change and create a better future for all.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Future Back Drinking, host Dr. Athina Kanioura is joined by Dr. Sree Chaguturu, Executive Vice President and Chief Medical Officer of CVS Health; President of Healthcare Delivery at CVS Health. Together, they discuss the major role human-centered technology is playing in tackling today’s biggest healthcare challenges and the complexities of navigating digital transformation. As both an executive and practicing physician, Sree shares his vision for the future of healthcare and the steps CVS is taking now to revolutionize patient connection and care for decades to come. Tune in to the full episode for a conversation you won’t want to miss.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Since its inception in 1847, Siemens has been recognized as a manufacturing powerhouse. But how is the company evolving to meet the demands of today’s digital-first world?  In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura speaks with Roland Busch, President and CEO of Siemens, who brings over 30 years of experience to his role at the helm of the company’s digital transformation. Roland shares insights on Siemens’ vision for an Industrial Metaverse revolutionizing manufacturing and explores their bold initiatives to forge the next frontier of urban living. Don’t miss this fascinating conversation about innovation, transformation, and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving world.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura sits down with Sowmyanarayan Sampath, CEO of Verizon Consumer. With a career at the forefront of network transformation, groundbreaking products, and digital innovation, Sampath has been instrumental in redefining how we connect and engage with technology daily. From the future of AI to the next big breakthroughs in consumer connectivity, tune in for a deep dive into the trends shaping tomorrow - delivered by two leaders at the cutting edge of transformation.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Panos Madamopoulos-Moraris, the first Director of Partnerships at the Stanford Institute for Human-Centered Artificial Intelligence (HAI), is at the forefront of initiatives that are driving the AI journey for industry leaders. Tune in to Future Back Drinking as Dr. Athina Kanioura and Panos discuss the opportunities of bridging the gap between industry and academia - highlighting the technical and human breakthroughs that arise from these powerful collaborations. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode, Dr. Athina Kanioura sits down with Arvind Krishna, Chairman and CEO of IBM, to explore the future of technology through the lens of his 33-year career at IBM. Hear all about key innovations in wireless networking and security, quantum computing’s potential–and its challenges–plus what Krishna considers to be untapped opportunities in AI. In this conversation with Dr. Athina Kanoura, Krishna offers reflections on leadership at the enterprise level, how to balance pressing needs with future innovations, and the legacy he hopes to leave at IBM.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cassie Kozyrkov is the former Chief Decision Scientist at Google, where she trained over 20,000 Googlers about data-driven decision making and AI. Now, she’s running her own consulting agency helping leaders optimize their biggest decisions. In a world where AI is becoming non-negotiable in business, decision science has never been more critical. Don’t miss this compelling conversation with Dr. Kanioura and Cassie!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura sits down with Deb Cupp, President of Microsoft America, to explore how she's driving transformation at the helm of a $80 billion tech giant. Deb pulls back the curtain on what it takes to build a winning culture and modernize a giant in the tech space.  If anyone knows how to embrace AI and navigate disruption, it’s Deb. Tune in to Deb’s conversation with host, Dr. Athina Kanioura. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julie Sweet is the Chairwoman and CEO of Accenture, the leading global professional service company helping the world’s largest organizations reinvent their enterprise, ranked by outlets such as Fortune and The New York Times as one of the most powerful women in America. Listen to her conversation with Dr. Athina Kanioura as they dive into how to capitalize on GenAI and Julie’s journey to the C-suite. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Introducing Future Back Drinking – a new podcast series from PepsiCo and TIME– is a masterclass in forward-thinking, from the cutting-edge of innovation. Hosted by PepsiCo’s first Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer, Dr. Athina Kanioura, each episode features riveting conversations with industry pioneers, illuminating the technologies and trends that will redefine our tomorrow. Learn from and engage with top-tier visionaries as they uncover the challenges, opportunities, and breakthrough moments encountered in transforming today’s fast-paced world. Future Back Drinking isn’t just a podcast; it’s a journey through the now into the next, served with a twist.​ Ready to see what’s next? Join Dr. Kanioura on Future Back Drinking—where the future starts now.    See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.