AI in Chicago: Transforming Legal Practice with Richard Robbins of Reed Smith

Join host Khullani Abdullahi as she sits down with Richard Robbins, Director of Applied AI at Reed Smith, for an illuminating conversation about how artificial intelligence is revolutionizing the legal profession at unprecedented speed.

With over 40 years at the intersection of law and technology, Richard brings a unique perspective on why this AI moment feels different from previous tech waves. From his academic background at MIT, theUniversity of Chicago, and Berkeley to his experience as partner, general counsel, and now technology strategist, Richard has witnessed the legal industry's evolution firsthand.

In this episode, discover:

• Why law firms have compressed a decade of change into mere months
• The four pillars of successful AI implementation: effective use, responsible governance, scale, and strategic alignment
• How senior lawyers, not junior associates, are getting the most value from AI tools
• The shift from measuring clicks to measuring client outcomes
• Why the "trough of disillusionment" is coming and how firms can prepare
• Strategies for preserving institutional wisdom before it retires with senior partners

Richard shares candid insights on moving beyond efficiency gains to true transformation, the governance imperative that separates leaders from followers, and why generative AI demands active experimentation rather than passive observation.

Whether you're a legal professional, tech enthusiast, or business leader navigating AI adoption, this conversation offers practical frameworks for turning AI enthusiasm into sustained competitive advantage.

AI in Chicago explores how artificial intelligence is reshaping industries across the Midwest, featuring conversations with innovators, entrepreneurs, and thought leaders driving change in the heartland.

In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi sits down with Gianne James, Senior Vice President at First Insurance Funding, for a deep dive into the complex world of AI governance in financial services.

As AI technologies rapidly transform the industry, financial institutions face a critical challenge: how do you harness innovation while maintaining rigorous compliance and risk management standards?

Gianne brings real-world insights into this balancing act, sharing why "AI is not solely a tech function" and how financial services professionals must become active participants in their organizations' AI strategies.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why AI governance can't be left to IT departments alone
• The upskilling imperative for financial services professionals
• Managing AI-specific risks and regulatory compliance challenges
• Building cross-functional collaboration for successful AI implementation
• Ethical considerations and liability management in AI development
• Preparing for the evolving regulatory landscape
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Whether you're a financial services professional looking to enhance your AI literacy, a risk manager navigating new challenges, or a business leader developing AI strategy, this conversation offers practical insights for thriving in the AI-driven future of finance.

In this episode of the AI in Chicago podcast, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Cait Moran, Senior Director at Oracle's AI Office Center of Excellence.

They discuss Cait's journey in AI, the evolution of Oracle's AI initiatives, and the establishment of a Center of Excellence to drive enterprise-wide AI strategies.

Cait shares insights on managing workloads, fostering collaboration, and the importance of continuous learning in the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

The conversation also touches on future predictions for AI and the potential it holds for businesses and society.

In this episode of "AI in Chicago," host Khullani Abdullahi sits down with Dr. Heather McCombs-Chait, a clinician turned enterprise AI leader. Dr. McCombs-Chait shares her unique career journey from managing her own successful private medical practice to leading strategic AI initiatives at major healthcare and medical device corporations like Philips and GE Healthcare.

Tune in to hear Dr. McCombs-Chait discuss:

• The pivotal leadership qualities necessary to navigate technological disruption and foster growth within teams.
• Her firsthand experience building new data platforms and AI ecosystems from the ground up in large enterprise settings.
• The non-negotiables she looks for when evaluating and building long-term strategic partnerships with AI vendors, moving beyond the technology to the human, relational elements.
• How medical device companies are finally having their "precision medicine moment" thanks to AI, enabling earlier and more nuanced diagnoses.
• Her perspective on Chicago's role as a growing hub for healthcare innovation and what it will take for the city to continue to flourish.

This conversation offers a masterclass for anyone interested in the practical application of AI in healthcare, the art of human-centered leadership, and the future of digital transformation in medicine.

In this episode of AI in Chicago, host Khullani Abdullahi sits down with Dr. William Benjamin, a Principal Generative AI/ML Expert at a Fortune 100 insurance company, for a deep dive into the strategic application of artificial intelligence in the enterprise.

With over 20 years of experience, Dr. Benjamin shares his journey from mechanical engineering to the forefront of the AI revolution and discusses how technologies like large language models create tangible business value.

Join us to explore:

• The Leader's Path to AI: Why continuous, hands-on learning is non-negotiable for today's executives.
• Human-Centered Innovation: How to build AI that empowers your workforce and enhances customer experience, not just replaces processes.
• Strategy and Governance: Best practices for integrating governance and risk management from the start of any AI initiative.
• Chicago's AI Future: A look at the city's growing potential as a major hub for AI talent and innovation.

From the importance of technical fluency in the C-suite to balancing internal efficiencies with external product development, this conversation is packed with actionable insights for leaders, technologists, and anyone curious about the future of AI in business.

As Dr. Benjamin puts it, "We are at the cusp of this technology," and the potential for human flourishing is immense.

In this episode of AI in Chicago, host Khullani Abdullahi interviews Sergio Gutiérrez-Montero, the Director of AI for HR at AbbVie. They discuss Sergio's background in consulting, the evolution of AI in business, and the challenges organizations face in implementing AI strategies. Key themes include the importance of focusing on specific business problems, the need for robust data infrastructure, and the significance of driving employee adoption of AI tools. Sergio emphasizes the necessity of hands-on experience with AI and the importance of adaptability in a rapidly changing technological landscape. The conversation concludes with insights on the future of work in the age of AI and the skills needed for success in AI strategy roles.

Takeaways

• Sergio Gutiérrez-Montero is the Director of AI for HR at AbbVie.
• AI should be applied to specific business problems, not just for the sake of using AI.
• Infrastructure challenges are significant barriers to AI implementation.
• Employee adoption is crucial for the success of AI initiatives.
• Organizations should focus on understanding the problems they need to solve with AI.
• A top-down and bottom-up approach is necessary for effective AI strategy development.
• Identifying high-value use cases requires thorough research and understanding of business needs.
• Driving engagement and adoption of AI tools is essential for their success.
• Executives need to have a basic understanding of AI to make informed decisions.
• The landscape of AI is rapidly changing, requiring organizations to be adaptable.

Tim Turner, MBA, VP of Insights and Analytics at Thresholds, joins us this week to discuss how healthcare leaders think about responsible AI, from patient access to clinical care.