AI Today Podcast

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch welcomes Samia Waqar, founder of Role Agnostic Project Leadership (RAPL), CEO of SNS Coaching Consulting Services, and PMI Authorized Instructor with nine PMI certifications including PMI-CPMAI. Samia shares her journey from enterprise transformation to AI education, and how her experiences across global projects inspired her vision of the Leadership Economy. Kathleen and Samia discuss why many AI initiatives fail when managed like tradit...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch welcomes Bryan McAnulty, founder of Latchloop and host of the Creators Adventure podcast. Bryan shares his entrepreneurial journey from design agency work to building SaaS products like Heights Platform, and now Latchloop, an AI agent platform designed to accelerate product development and collaboration. Kathleen and Bryan explore how AI is reshaping entrepreneurship, content creation, and community building. Bryan explains why execution ...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch welcomes Jennifer Tharp, president of Mastodon Consulting, former PMI Board chair, PMI Fellow, and also PMP and PMI-CPMAI certified. Jennifer discusses how AI is transforming project management, not just as a tool but by reshaping the work itself. She highlights three forces as the new bottleneck: collapsed estimation, distributed authorship, and quality assurance. Traditional artifacts like Gantt charts and risk registers risk irrelevanc...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch welcomes Cheryl Howard, principal consultant at Howard Consulting, PMI standards volunteer, and PMI‑CPMAI certified. Cheryl shares how CPMAI’s structured, iterative framework, combining CRISP‑DM and Agile, helps organizations move beyond hype to deliver governed, human-centered AI outcomes. She explains that AI project success starts with business understanding and clean, well-prepared data, not rushing into model development. Together, Kathlee...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch welcomes Islam Tanas, who is a PMI Authorized Training Partner, founder of PASS‑PM Academy, an AI ambassador at PMI, and PMI-CPMAI certified. With 20+ years of experience, Islam enthusiastically shares how the CPMAI methodology reshaped his approach to AI projects, moving from traditional project management to structured, business‑first strategies. He explains that AI projects introduce unique challenges, such as data quality, model valid...

Kathleen Walch welcomes Mouhsine Kabbaj, a seasoned Senior Program Manager with 25+ years in transformation, business process engineering, and AI integration. With PMP, PGMP, PFMP, and PMI-CPMAI certifications, Mouhsine passionately shares how CPMAI reshaped his approach to AI projects, moving beyond traditional software methods to a methodology built on business understanding, data quality, and iterative experimentation that unlock real business value. He explains why AI projects require fre...

As AI Today enters its 10th season, host Kathleen Walch takes a step back to reflect on nearly a decade of conversations about artificial intelligence and the lessons that remain just as relevant today as they were when the podcast launched in 2017. In this special anniversary episode, Kathleen explores how AI has evolved from predictive analytics and machine learning initiatives led by specialized teams to today's era of generative AI and agentic AI, where powerful tools are available ...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch speaks with Dave Prior, project management consultant, longtime PMI volunteer, host of DrunkenPM Radio, and PMI-CPMAI certified practitioner. Dave shares his journey from resisting Agile to embracing it and now confronting AI with similar skepticism before finding clarity through the PMI-CPMAI certification. He explains how the methodology helps overcome fear by grounding AI projects in business value, data discipline, and iterative reas...

Kathleen Walch speaks with Jürgen Eckhart, Engineering Program Manager at Google in Munich, lecturer in project management, and PMI-CPMAI certified practitioner. Jürgen shares how CPMAI expanded his “toolbox” for managing AI projects, grounding them in business value, quality data, and realistic stakeholder expectations. He explains why AI must be treated as iterative and probabilistic, not deterministic “magic,” and how project managers can shift from delivery to discovery—offloading routine...

Kathleen Walch speaks with Vinay Babu Tarala, Agile and AI Transformation Leader at AT&T, PMI Pearl City Hyderabad Chapter General Secretary, and author of AI Meets Agile. With passion and candor, Vinay shares how early AI project failures led him to PMI-CPMAI certification, transforming his approach to managing AI initiatives. He illustrates how CPMAI’s structured framework reduced software development cycle times from 2.5 months to 1.5 months by embedding AI across the SDLC—from user st...

Kathleen Walch speaks with Johan Sporre, Engineering Manager at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group) and CPMAI-certified professional, about how AI is transforming translation and language services at scale. Johan explains how his team supports 230,000 coworkers across 64 markets, with 90% of translations now AI-driven, and how CPMAI ensures alignment, quality data, and measurable outcomes. An IKEA case study shows how redefining translation as “text generation” in IKEA’s voice, powered by a graph...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch speaks with Michael Joyce, Enterprise Service Delivery and AI Transformation Leader at Cisco, about what it really takes to move AI from experimentation to operational impact in enterprise project delivery. Drawing on his experience leading technical program management teams across multiple customers, Michael shares how Cisco is applying generative AI to accelerate service delivery, improve decision quality, and empower project managers. ...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch speaks with CP Richardson who is co-founder of Agile in Color, an Agile Alliance Board Member, and is also PMI- CPMAI certified to discuss what it really takes to bring AI into day-to-day work with discipline, intention, and the right framework. CP draws on more than 15 years of experience across software development, operations, marketing, and AI, including early work with machine learning in fraud detection. He also shares lessons learned fr...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Chris Scordo, Founder and Managing Director of PMTraining—a PMI Authorized Training Partner—for a candid conversation about deploying AI responsibly in a training business while keeping the human element at the center. As artificial intelligence reshapes how content is created and delivered, Chris explains how the project management training landscape is evolving. From live instruction and certification preparation to on-d...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Sumathi Arcot, Project Director for Lean Agile Transformation in AstraZeneca’s U.S. Oncology Business Unit, for a candid conversation on what it really takes to manage AI responsibly in one of the world’s most regulated industries. Sumathi shares how the CPMAI methodology fundamentally shifted her perspective on AI, from something experimental and exploratory to a product discipline with defined outcomes, built-in governanc...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch talks with Ivonne Mejia, Lead Project Portfolio Manager for the San Francisco Bay Region Network at California State University (CSU), to discuss how PMOs can drive responsible AI transformation in higher education. As multiple CSU campuses consolidate under one unified PMO, Ivonne shares how she's embedding CPMAI into portfolio intake, prioritization, and oversight, ensuring AI initiatives are strategically aligned and governed. She makes th...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch is joined by Michael Hyzy, Vice President of AI Strategy and Product Development at CGI, to explore why so many AI initiatives struggle—and why methodology matters more than ever. Drawing on his experience leading enterprise AI initiatives in regulated industries, Michael explains why treating AI like traditional software often leads to failure, stalled pilots, and unmet expectations. He shares how CPMAI provides the structure needed to m...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Dr. Katrenia Reed Hughes, educator, curriculum designer, and project leader, to explore how AI is transforming education—and what it means to prepare learners for project success in a rapidly changing world. As part of AI Today's PMI Global Summit Series, this conversation highlights how AI can be used not just as a tool, but as a pathway to equity, empowerment, and confidence—especially for underrepresented learners. Katre...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Lee Lambert, PMI Fellow, a founder of the PMP certification, and long-time project management thought leader. Recorded live at PMI Global Summit 2025, this conversation bridges the past, present, and future of the project management profession. Lee shares his candid thoughts on how AI is reshaping what it means to lead projects—and why the future belongs to those who pair smart tools with power skills like communication, leadersh...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Ashima Sharma, Founding Partner of Ayuka Consulting, to explore what it really takes to deliver AI that works—in practice, at scale, and with purpose. This conversation was recorded live at PMI Global Summit 2025 and highlights the often-overlooked foundations of successful AI adoption: clean, contextual data; empowered, cross-functional teams; and a human-centered mindset that sees AI as a partner, not a product. Tun...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Chris Caldwell, CEO of Concentrix, to explore how AI is being operationalized across customer experience (CX) ecosystems—from listening and learning to acting and delivering at scale. This conversation dives into how trust, transparency, and intentional use of AI are helping Concentrix deliver highly personalized experiences for some of the world’s largest brands. Chris shares how their teams are moving beyond dashboards an...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Fred Laluyaux, CEO of Aera Technology, to discuss how enterprises are evolving their operating models through AI-powered decision intelligence. Tune in to hear about: What “decision intelligence” really means—and why it matters How AI can move from experiments to operational transformation The rise of decision architects and control rooms inside the enterprise Why “learning by doing” beats “learning by...

In this episode of AI Today, recorded live at the Agile2025 event, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Jason Little, author of Lean Change Management and founder of Lean Change Inc., to explore how AI is reshaping how we lead change across teams and organizations. As part of our AI & Agile mini-series, this conversation unpacks how traditional change models are breaking down in the face of rapid AI adoption—and what agile leaders can do to respond. Jason shares lessons from real-worl...

In this episode of AI Today, recorded live at the Agile2025 event, hosts Kathleen Walch and Avinash Dhanraj sit down with Anu Smalley, enterprise agile coach and organizational change leader, to explore how Agile teams can thoughtfully integrate AI into their workflows. As part of our AI & Agile mini-series, this conversation explores how values like trust, empathy, and psychological safety remain essential—even as AI tools enter the picture. Anu shares her front-line experiences co...

In this episode of AI Today, recorded live at the Agile2025 event, hosts Kathleen Walch and Avinash Dhanraj sit down with author, entrepreneur, and organizational design expert Jurgen Appelo to explore how agility must evolve in the age of AI. As part of our AI & Agile mini-series, this conversation unpacks the challenges of outdated frameworks, the importance of experimentation, and what it takes to build organizations that are truly adaptable—when both humans and AI agents are par...

In this special episode of AI Today, recorded live at Agile2025, hosts Kathleen Walch and Avinash Dhanraj sit down with Agile Manifesto co-author and Agile pioneer Jim Highsmith to explore the intersection of AI and agility in the enterprise. This episode kicks off the AI Today Agile & AI mini-series, focusing on how organizations can stay adaptive in an era of rapid technological change. Jim shares insights from decades of leadership at the forefront of agile, what it means to “man...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch, Director, AI Engagement and Community at PMI, continues the AI in Healthcare mini-series, produced in partnership by PMI and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Kathleen sits down with Dr. Lukasz Kowalcyzk, a practicing gastroenterologist and seasoned Healthtech advisor, to explore how AI can meaningfully support operational efficiency, clinical decision-making, and healthcare equity. Tune in to learn how A...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch, Director, AI Engagement and Community, PMI, continues the AI in Healthcare mini-series, produced in partnership by PMI and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Today, Kathleen sits down with Dr. Reza Ryan Sadeghian, System Chief Medical Information Officer at University of Toledo Health. Dr. Sadeghian is also PMP-certified. Tune in to learn how AI is revolutionizing healthcare delivery through: Combat physician ...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch, Director, AI Engagement and Community, PMI, kicks off the AI in Healthcare mini-series, produced in partnership by PMI and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). This three-part series explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the healthcare ecosystem— from frontline care to back-office operations. Today, Kathleen sits down with Rob Havasy, Senior Director of Informatics Strategy at HIMSS. Tune in to lea...

In this episode of AI Today, hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer explore how artificial intelligence is being used by non-profits and mission-driven organizations to amplify their social impact. From improving fundraising to optimizing resource distribution, AI is proving to be a powerful force for good. Discover how AI is helping organizations: Enhance donor engagement with personalized outreach and predictive giving modelsStreamline grant applications and identify ideal funding opportuni...

In this episode of AI Today, hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer explore how artificial intelligence is powering the evolution of smart cities. From traffic lights to energy grids, AI is helping urban areas become more efficient, responsive, and sustainable. Learn how AI is being used to: Manage smart buildings through automated lighting, heating, and coolingOptimize traffic flow with real-time data and AI-controlled signalsEnhance public transit systems through demand-based scheduling and...

In this episode of AI Today, hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer explore how artificial intelligence is being applied to one of humanity’s greatest challenges: protecting the environment. From conservation and climate modeling to waste management and disaster response, AI is playing a growing role in sustainability efforts worldwide. Tune in to learn how AI is being used to: Monitor wildlife populations, migration patterns, and poaching risks using sensors, drones, and satellite imageryTra...

In this episode of AI Today, hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer dig into the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the mining industry. From underground safety to surface-level sustainability, AI is helping modernize one of the world’s oldest and most essential sectors. Learn how AI is being used to: Operate autonomous trucks, drills, and loaders in hazardous environmentsMonitor equipment health and perform predictive maintenance to reduce downtimeOptimize resource extraction ...

In this episode of AI Today, hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the world of art and design. From generative art and music to personalized experiences and collaborative creativity, AI is empowering both professional artists and everyday creators alike. Tune in to learn how AI is being used to: Generate original visual art and music compositions using generative AI toolsAccelerate design workflows through automation and intelligent suggestio...

In this episode of AI Today, hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer explore how artificial intelligence is transforming the field of architecture. From design and material selection to project management and sustainability, AI is enhancing how buildings are envisioned, planned, and delivered. Listen in as they discuss how AI is being used to: Support generative design, helping architects explore innovative and efficient building conceptsAutomate drafting and detailed design tasks to increase ...

In this episode of AI Today, hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer dive into the many ways artificial intelligence is reshaping the restaurant and food service industry. From back-of-house operations to customer-facing innovations, AI is transforming how food is prepared, delivered, and experienced. Discover how AI is being used to: Automate food preparation with robotics for consistent quality and reduced labor costsOptimize restaurant menus based on sales data, customer feedback, and seaso...

In this episode of AI Today, hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer explore how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) industry. From enhancing product development to optimizing inventory and boosting customer engagement, AI is driving innovation and operational efficiency across the value chain. Learn how AI is used to: Accelerate product innovation through trend and ingredient analysisImprove demand forecasting and inventory management with real-time in...

For many years banks have been at the forefront of using technology to help with many operations and processes. In this episode of the AI Today podcast we interview Jad Abou Maarouf who is Chief Data Officer at a regional mid-atlantic bank. He shares with us how banks are thinking about using automation and AI and more. Continue reading AI Today Podcast: The Human Side of Data for AI, interview with Jad Abou Maarouf, Chief Data Officer at Cognilytica.

AI Today Podcast #004 – Guest Expert: James Barrat author of “Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era”. Show Notes: On today’s show we interview James Barrat, author of “Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era”. We discuss why James wrote this book 3 years ago now, how far away he really thinks we are from artificial human intelligence, the warning bells recently being sounded about artificial i...

Podcast #003 – Guest Expert: Oliver Christie: “Have predictions for AI in 2017 Come True?” Show Notes: On today’s show we interview guest expert Oliver Christie and discuss his 5 predictions for artificial intelligence in 2017. Now that we’re about two thirds of the way through 2017 we discuss what happened with his predictions – which ones came true, which ones are still in the far future. Continue reading AI Today Podcast #003 – Guest Expert: Oliver Christie: “Have predictions...

AI Today Podcast #002: Should We Be Scared of AI? For a more in-depth and detailed report of the topics discussed in this podcast, download our FREE research report: [wpdm_package id=’130′] Show notes: With the recent resurgence of interest in Artificial Intelligence (AI), there’s a tidal wave of investment, activity, and attention being placed on all things even remotely connected to AI technologies. Continue reading AI Today Podcast #002: Should We Be Scared of AI? at Cognilytica.

AI Today Podcast #001: Why Does AI Matter Show notes: In their inaugural podcast hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer discuss their reasons for Why AI Matters. It improves the ability for businesses to serve their customers in reliable and efficient waysAI can help people and organizations make better decisions and fewer mistakesAI removes repetitive, boring, but necessary tasks from people’s daily lives.Continue reading AI Today Podcast #001: Why Does AI Matter? at Cognilytica.

AI is significantly transforming the travel industry by enhancing customer experiences, optimizing operations, and personalizing services. In this episode hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer discuss various ways that AI is applied in travel and hospitality. AI Improving the Travel Experience We are seeing AI be applied to improve the entire experience. Continue reading AI Use Case Series: AI in Travel and Hospitality [AI Today Podcast] at Cognilytica.

AI is making significant advancements in the aerospace industry, enhancing everything from design and manufacturing to flight operations and safety. In this episode of AI Today hosts Kathleen Walch discuss various ways that AI is being used in the aerospace industry. AI-Assisted Flight & Operations AI is at the core of developing autonomous aircraft, including drones and pilotless planes. Continue reading AI Use Case Series: AI in Aerospace [AI Today Podcast] at Cognilytica.

In today’s increasingly unpredictable world, keeping people, property, and assets safe has become more complex than ever. Fortunately, AI is playing a growing role in strengthening physical security and safety measures. In this episode of AI Today, hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer explore how AI is being applied across the physical security landscape to enhance threat detection and improve response capabilities. Continue reading AI Use Case Series: AI in Physical Security & Safety [...

In today’s hyper-connected digital landscape, the pace and sophistication of cyber threats are growing faster than ever. Hackers are using increasingly advanced tactics to infiltrate systems, steal sensitive data, and wreak havoc across organizations of all sizes. But there’s a powerful new ally on the front lines of defense: Artificial Intelligence. In this episode of AI Today, we explore how AI is reshaping cybersecurity. Continue reading AI Use Case Series: AI in Cybersecurity [AI Today Po...

In this episode of AI Today hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer discuss how AI is being applied in the AI in Automotive industry. Continue reading AI Use Case Series: AI in Automotive [AI Today Podcast] at Cognilytica.

Artificial intelligence is transforming everything from disease identification and diagnosis to drug discovery, clinical trial optimization, and even manufacturing efficiency. With access to massive amounts of biological, chemical, and patient data, pharma is perfectly positioned to harness the true power of AI. After all, data is the heart of AI. And this industry has plenty of it. Continue reading AI Use Case Series: AI in Pharma [AI Today Podcast] at Cognilytica.

In this episode of AI Today hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer discuss how AI is being applied in insurance. We explore how AI is reshaping the insurance industry in many ways. From smarter risk assessment and personalized underwriting to faster claims processing and fraud detection, AI is helping insurers operate more efficiently and deliver better customer experiences. Continue reading AI Use Case Series: AI in Insurance [AI Today Podcast] at Cognilytica.

In this episode of AI Today hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer discuss various ways AI is being used in the supply chain. Continue reading AI Use Case Series: AI in the Supply Chain [AI Today Podcast] at Cognilytica.