Robots and Red Tape

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

In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt speaks with Tom Bendien, founder of a private AI platform, GT Edge AI, focused on education, cybersecurity, and defense. With a background in enterprise IT at companies like Cisco and Oracle, Tom discusses building secure, data-private AI systems to address compliance needs like FERPA. Explore how AI enhances teaching through grading, lesson planning, and personalized tutoring, while fostering critical thinking over rote memorization. Hear real-world results, including a 25-30% test score improvement in one week, and advice on grassroots AI adoption amid regulatory challenges. This conversation highlights the urgency of preparing students for an AI-powered workforce.

In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt chats with Peter Dudka, Founder and CEO of Dual Logic, about AI adoption for small and midsize businesses (SMBs). From edtech product leadership to launching an AI consulting firm for SaaS, nonprofits, and professional services, Peter shares insights on overcoming barriers and leveraging AI effectively.The conversation covers:From Edtech to AI: Peter’s journey from early ChatGPT experiments to founding Dual Logic.SMB AI Challenges: Why SMBs lag in AI adoption and how to bridge the gap.AI Strengths and Limits: LLMs excel at content creation and summarization but struggle with complex reasoning.Interoperability Trend: Connecting AI to tools like HubSpot streamlines workflows.Compliance and Literacy: Navigating data privacy and boosting AI literacy to combat risks like misinformation.AI-Ready Culture: Identifying champions and aligning AI with organizational values.Advice for Leaders: Start small with tools like Copilot to drive innovation.Peter emphasizes thoughtful AI integration to enhance productivity while preserving human connection. Tune in for practical tips to help SMBs thrive in the AI era.To learn more about Dual Logic: https://www.linkedin.com/company/duallogic/

Join host Nick Schutt as he talks with Josh Thiel, a former Special Operations commander and AI consultant, about the escalating threat of intellectual property (IP) theft. They explore how nations like China use industrial espionage to siphon U.S. technological and economic power, the risks posed by generative AI in exposing sensitive data, and vulnerabilities in global supply chains. Josh shares insights from his diverse career, offering solutions to safeguard innovation and national security. Don’t miss this deep dive into the intersection of tech, defense, and global competition. Hit subscribe and tune in weekly for more Robots and Red Tape. .

In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt sits down with Chris Grobbel, a seasoned attorney with nearly a decade of experience at the SEC, to explore the transformative role of AI in financial markets. They dive into key themes, including AI’s use in customer communications, compliance, and data analytics, as well as its regulatory challenges, such as digital engagement practices and AI washing. Chris shares insights on how firms can adopt AI responsibly while navigating bureaucratic hurdles. Perfect for tech enthusiasts and defense professionals, this episode unpacks the intersection of innovation and regulation.

In this episode of Robots and Red Tape, host Nick Schutt welcomes Bruce Olson and Josh Paul from Colvin Run Networks to explore how AI is transforming business development and defense innovation. Bruce, Vice President of Growth and Operations, and Josh, a recent Air Force veteran, share their journey from military service to building an AI-native BD team. They dive into streamlining the Authority to Operate (ATO) process for the Space Force, tackling bureaucratic inefficiencies, and developing alternate positioning, navigation, and timing solutions for hypersonic missiles. The conversation also touches on the promises and pitfalls of AI, from enhancing productivity to navigating hallucinations, and the future of technology in defense contracting. Tune in for a deep dive into how AI is reshaping the intersection of technology and red tape.