What the Tech?

S2 EP 6. - Kelly Schroeder Sheds Light on Why AI Is a Multiplier, Not a Shortcut

Some AI stories start in a boardroom. Kelly's starts in a Colorado classroom, where AI isn't a strategy deck, it's a daily reality for kids still figuring out how to learn. In this episode, Onyeka sits down with Kelly Schroeder, Director of IT at Colorado Early Colleges, for a grounded and refreshingly honest conversation. Kelly brings a perspective that is equal parts technical and deeply human — what happens when you're not just implementing AI for a business, but for children whose futures are on the line. Kelly gets into why policy has to come before tools, how teachers and students need entirely different playbooks, and the prompting habits he's developed that actually move the needle. And somewhere in the middle of it all, he introduces one of the most compelling frameworks for thinking about AI yet. Not as a tool, not as a threat, but as a multiplier. And what you multiply matters. This is a conversation about patience, foundations and the very human work of leading people through change. Kelly is sharp, self-aware and an absolute delight to listen to. Don't miss this one. Music: "Short Circuit" by Ryan James Carr (via Epidemic Sound)

S2 EP 5. - Vidur Kalive Unpacks How to Build an AI Culture That Feels Safe, Useful, and Shared

What if the secret to successful AI adoption isn't moving faster, but moving more thoughtfully? In this episode, Onyeka sits down with Vidur Kalive, Lead AI Architect at York University, who's spent seven years building AI solutions in a space where the stakes are incredibly high—and where getting it wrong could change a student's entire future. Vidur breaks down why educators need to know about AI, reveals the biggest misconception about AI in schools, and shares how York University built an AI culture that feels safe, useful, and shared. This isn't a story about deploying the latest shiny tool. It's about what happens when you start with learning objectives instead of technology, build communities instead of isolated power users, and measure success in ways that go beyond the numbers on a dashboard. If you've ever wondered how to build AI adoption that sticks—or why governance matters more than speed—this conversation is for you. Music: "Short Circuit" by Ryan James Carr (via Epidemic Sound)

S2 EP 4. - Charles "Chuck" Fox Breaks Down Why AI Is More Than an Assistant, It's a Coach

Most people expect AI to be brilliant on the first try...but what if that's the wrong expectation entirely? In this episode, Onyeka sits down with Charles "Chuck" Fox, Senior Director for Client Development at ESI (Engineering Systems, Inc.), who works in a world where getting it wrong isn't an option, and where human judgment, intuition, and experience still lead the way. Chuck breaks down the biggest myth people believe about AI (spoiler: it's not the autonomous genius we think it is), shares the driver-assist analogy that finally makes everything click, and reveals how AI became something he never expected: his writing coach and mentor. This isn't a story about replacing humans with technology. It's about what happens when you stop expecting perfection from your first prompt, embrace the messiness of conversation, and discover that the best AI partnership comes from patience, iteration, and a willingness to let both you and the technology grow together. Music: "Short Circuit" by Ryan James Carr (via Epidemic Sound)

S2 EP 3. - Tyler Jacobs Reveals How AI Can Become Your Silent Partner and Smartest Collaborator

Tyler Jacobs isn't waiting around for AI to figure itself out. As the Manager of IT and Security at Honey Stinger, he's already using AI to filter security alerts, troubleshoot weird errors, and turn 20-page technical documents into executive summaries that actually get read. In this episode, Onyeka and Tyler dig into what it really takes to lead through AI when you're moving fast, working lean, and wearing about a dozen different hats. Tyler shares why it's crucial to supervise AI, how he switched out traditional search engines for AI tools, and why finding the right balance between automation and human touch is the secret to keeping customer trust strong. From marketing teams squeezing to customer service, Tyler breaks down what's actually working, what needs rethinking, and why curiosity and interpretation are must-have leadership skills. If you've ever wondered what leading with AI looks like when you're the whole IT department, start here. Music: "Short Circuit" by Ryan James Carr (via Epidemic Sound)

S2 EP 2. - Adam Gunnett Dives into Why AI Success is a Habits, Process and Peer Learning Game

In this episode, Onyeka sits down with Adam Gunnett, Vice President of Business Intelligence and Strategy at Busy Beaver Building Centers, for a masterclass in bringing AI to the frontlines. Adam shares the surprising truth about who actually adopted AI fastest in his organization, and why the technical implementation was easier than getting people to actually use it. From his memorable insights about "throwing AI at a bad process just gives you an expensive bad process," to the biweekly Q&A sessions that tripled adoption rates, Adam reveals what really works when rolling out AI in retail. This isn't a story about flashy tech demos. It's about building trust, starting with employee pain points instead of shiny solutions, and creating judgment-free spaces where even asking "basic" questions is encouraged. If you're a leader trying to figure out how to move AI from pilot program to daily habit, Adam's journey from IT specialist to VP will show you exactly how it's done. Music: "Short Circuit" by Ryan James Carr (via Epidemic Sound)