Integrate or Die: a work technology podcast

Eric Sydell, Ph.D. – Ethical, legal and secure AI practices

Steve and Alexis talk with Eric Sydell, founder & CEO of Vero AI about responsible use of AI solutions. Eric built some of the first large scale applications using AI machine learning to support recruiting as a founding member of Modern Hire, a company subsequently acquired by HireVue. He is now building solutions to ensure compliant use of AI applications across a range of areas.  Some things we cover: • The mismatch between what leaders say about responsible AI and what they often do • The tendency for many companies to monitor AI bias without monitoring AI accuracy • How venture capital investment strategies negatively influence how AI solutions are built We also learn how Alexis got a PhD from Harvard without ever attending a single class.

Tyler Weeks, Ph.D. – Applying AI in the Hospitality Industry

Steve and Alexis talk with Tyler Weeks, VP of People Technology, Research & Analytics at Marriott International about using AI to support frontline employees in the hospitality industry.  A physicist by training, Tyler brings a high sophisticated but reality-based approach toward the use of AI technology within organizations. Some things we cover: * Why AI LLMs that use natural language interfaces should not be designed to give the illusion of actually being human * How use of AI is limited and often derailed by the complex and imperfect nature of organizational policies and processes * Why the next big wave of AI innovation may focus on using AI for understanding instead of automation We also hear Tyler explain why he thinks of Alexis as a doula for workforce analytics professionals.

Jerome Gouvernel – Using AI for HR data integration

Steve and Alexis talk with Jerome Gouvernel, co-founder of datascalehr about the value AI provides for integrating highly complex, global HR datasets. Jerome’s work is primarily focused on payroll data management, which as we learn is one of the most important, most sensitive, and most complicated areas of HR data. Some things we cover: • Why HR data is fragmented and far more complex than people realize • How AI enables companies to align and harmonize imperfect data • The critical difference between predictive AI vs generative AI We also hear Alexis describe data integration as the place where the “magic happens”.

Guy Tourigny – AI and agentic HR applications

Steve and Alexis talk with Guy Tourigny, HR Technology Implementation Leader at HRIZONS about using AI to build agentic HR applications.  We discuss the efficiency gains associated with these solutions along with the importance of not over automating a function that is focused on optimizing the value of humans. Some things we cover: • The value of agentic HR solutions that integrate data from different functional areas • Knowing when to switch from AI agents to human agents • Managing the risks when you rely on AI to interpret HR data policies instead of people We also learn that Steve’s concepts of AI are rooted in how Lieutenant Uhuru used computers in the original Star Trek.

Richard Landers, PhD. – Integrating AI technology and organizational psychology

Steve and Alexis talk with Richard Landers [https://www.linkedin.com/in/rnlanders/], Professor of Industrial Organizational Psychology at the University of Minnesota about building AI technology that is informed by psychological science.  We focus specifically on the use of AI to support candidate selection and employee development.  Some things we cover: * The change management challenges caused by the rapid speed of AI innovation * The challenge of building effective AI agents for tasks where effective human performance is poorly defined * The risk of doing things because they are new and different but not necessarily better We also hear Steve share a tale from his childhood about his dad acting like a robot.