Welcome to "AI or Not," the podcast where we explore the intersection of digital transformation and real-world wisdom, hosted by the accomplished Pamela Isom. With over 25 years of experience guiding leaders in corporate, public, and private sectors, Pamela, the CEO and Founder of IsAdvice & Consulting LLC, is a veteran in successfully navigating the complex realms of artificial intelligence, innovation, cyber issues, governance, data management, and ethical decision-making.

What if your data could truly reflect the diversity of human experience? In this eye-opening episode, we sit down with Brenna Coppola Milner, a seasoned account manager and data-driven solutionist, to discuss her fascinating career journey from a marketing graduate to a tech sales professional. Brenna sheds light on the pivotal role of relationship-building in sales and why starting in a business development role can be a game-changer for anyone looking to break into the tech industry. She also shares her views on the transformative potential of AI and emerging technologies, emphasizing the urgency of democratizing data to ease public fears and soothe digital anxiety among business leaders.

We then confront one of the most pressing issues in tech today: unintentional discrimination. Through compelling real-world examples, Brenna tackles the biases inherent in AI and tech development—like soap dispensers that don't recognize darker skin tones and facial recognition systems that fail people of color at airports. These anecdotes not only highlight the need for inclusive design but also underscore the critical role that diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEI and A) play in combating these biases and preventing the spread of misinformation and disinformation.

Finally, we explore the often-overlooked concept of diverse data lineage and its impact on bias amplification in AI systems. Brenna underscores the importance of diverse teams in data processing to catch and correct errors early, particularly in high-stakes fields like healthcare. She also delves into the broader implications on mental health and workplace performance, explaining how stereotypes fueled by inaccurate data can be detrimental. Tune in for an insightful discussion on how accurate data and inclusive practices are central to driving digital transformation and creating a positive, productive work