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 the real edge in AI isn’t bigger models or more GPUs, but leaders who can turn complexity into clear decisions? We sit down with analyst and “tech whisperer” Christopher Richardson to unpack the hard truths behind AI’s economics, why reliability still lags the hype, and how to build systems that actually pay off. From conference rooms where “the cloud” gets mistaken for the sky to board tables demanding ROI, we map the shift from curiosity to concrete roadmaps that stand up under pressure.

Christopher explains why large language models remain probabilistic and how that matters for accuracy, governance, and risk. We dig into the promise and pitfalls of agentic AI, where chaining models often compounds hallucinations and cost. The conversation tackles the “AI bubble” risk head-on: when adoption slows because outputs cannot be trusted for mission-critical work, the funding engine sputters. We also examine a fresh take on competitive advantage through the DeepSeek lens—achieving strong results with fewer parameters and lower GPU use—hinting that smart efficiency may outpace brute-force scaling.

Sustainability and equity thread through every topic. We talk plainly about the byproduct of electricity being heat, why water use and siting decisions matter, and how to measure trustworthiness beyond slogans. Then we turn to access: open models, practical training, and education pipelines that unlock talent in places like Baltimore, building a broader, more resilient workforce. The playbook is pragmatic and hopeful—smaller, domain-tuned models; clear governance; measurable utility; and real investment in people.

If you care about AI strategy, responsible innovation, and turning hype into durable outcomes, this conversation offers a grounded path forward. Subscribe, share with a colleague who’s wrestling with AI decisions, and leave a review with the one change you’d make first to improve trust and ROI.

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.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming healthcare, but with great innovation comes the responsibility to implement these technologies ethically and effectively. Senior Research Associate Sahaj Vaidya takes us on a fascinating journey through the evolving landscape of digital health, offering invaluable insights from her work at Koita Centre for Digital Health at Ashoka University.

Sahaj's path to becoming an AI governance specialist began during the pandemic when she witnessed how automated systems could spread misinformation, inspiring her to champion responsible AI deployment on a population scale. She challenges common misconceptions about digital health, explaining that it extends far beyond digitizing medical records to encompass preparing for future technologies and helping people adapt to AI-enhanced healthcare as a normal part of life.

We explore the tangible benefits already emerging from AI integration in healthcare—from automated transcription services that free clinicians from administrative burdens to telemedicine platforms that optimize scheduling for both patients and providers. The conversation delves into sensitive issues surrounding medical data collection and privacy, including innovative approaches like using AI to create synthetic data for clinical trials without compromising patient confidentiality.

The discussion turns to AI governance, which Sahaj likens to the rules of a football game—essential for preventing chaos and ensuring fair play. She highlights the gap between organizations claiming to have AI governance policies and those implementing them substantively, noting the growing demand for specialized roles like AI ethics officers. The European Union AI Act serves as a case study of regulatory frameworks with global implications, affecting any organization with European customers or operations.

For aspiring professionals in digital health and responsible AI, Sahaj emphasizes understanding core principles before implementation and evaluating whether AI is truly the appropriate solution for each challenge. She envisions healthcare's future as human-machine collaboration rather than replacement, with AI complementing human decision-making in sensitive contexts.

Join us to hear why AI literacy matters for everyone, regardless of technical background, and discover why Sahaj believes AI isn't here to take our jobs but to handle routine tasks while creating new opportunities requiring distinctly human skills. This episode offers essential guidance for navigating the exciting yet complex intersection of healthcare and artificial intelligence.

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.

The shiny demo rarely survives contact with real data. We sit down with Phil Hartman—director, data architect, and seasoned integrator—to unpack what actually makes AI work in production: infrastructure, integration, and testing that respects non-determinism without abandoning reliability. Phil shares how embeddings finally “clicked,” why sending the same prompt to multiple models and merging results can improve quality, and what guardrails and adversarial tests reveal when policies get complex. His insurance parsing example—great up to ten vehicles, then chaos—shows how hidden limits surface only when you move beyond the happy path.

We discuss user experience that respects people’s time, including clear escalation to a human and predictable flows for employee training, as well as brand consistency. Then we dig into a big shift: AI search that visits hundreds of sites and never shows your branding. To stay discoverable, content must be structured and anticipatory—think FAQs on the landing page, schema markup, and concise, high-signal answers that retrieval systems can trust. Phil also makes the case that low-code tools struggle with hierarchical, many-to-many enterprise data, and why leaders should expect custom code, deeper testing, and realistic budgets that reflect the complexity of integration.

If you want AI to be an innovation accelerator, tie it to real outcomes: shorter cycles, cleaner data, higher throughput. Involve end users, measure beyond ROI buzzwords, and design governance that spans model selection, prompt management, privacy, and audit. On jobs, Phil argues for augmentation over replacement—let AI handle the routine tasks so people can focus on judgment-intensive work. The pace is fast and messy, but progress belongs to teams who experiment, test the edges, and build safety into the fabric. Subscribe, share with a colleague who owns AI delivery, and leave a review with your toughest integration challenge—we might feature it next.

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.

A candid journey from chemical engineering to AI leadership sets the stage for a grounded look at where artificial intelligence truly delivers value—and where governance must take the lead. We sit down with Felix Gonzalez, a data science and AI director and educator, to connect past tech waves to today’s GenAI moment, surfacing practical lessons you can use right now. Think of GenAI as a calculator for language: it speeds drafts, code, and analysis, while your expertise sets the guardrails and makes the call.

We walk through real use cases that cut through the buzz. Drawing on public AI inventories, we unpack how federal agencies are already piloting and deploying automation, machine learning, and GenAI to streamline classification, triage documents, and modernize internal processes. In safety and health, we explore computer vision for PPE compliance, fire detection, environmental monitoring, and even search-and-rescue support—areas where human-in-the-loop design turns fast pattern recognition into smarter, safer operations. In healthcare, we address privacy, bias, and why recommendation systems augment clinicians instead of replacing them.

If you’re wrestling with ROI, you’re not alone. We compare traditional ML and LLMs on cost, quality, and risk, showing how to match the tool to the job. We also push back on doomsday takes about disruption: roles will change, but critical thinking gets sharper when AI removes busywork and surfaces contradictions worth investigating. The durable advantage isn’t magic prompts; it’s governance, oversight, and continuous learning that keep you adaptive as models evolve.

Ready to turn AI into better decisions rather than bigger risks? Follow the show, share this episode with a colleague who owns a critical workflow, and leave a review with the one AI use case you want us to break down next.

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 happens when a philosopher becomes a physicist and then stumbles into artificial intelligence? You get the fascinating perspective of Dr. Ryan Coffee, Senior Staff Scientist at SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory, who shares his unique journey and vision for our technological future.

Dr. Coffee takes us deep into the world of federated machine learning, explaining why preserving intellectual property—what he calls "secret sauce"—is crucial for innovation while still enabling collaboration across competitive boundaries. As someone working with an X-ray laser that generates a million frames per second, he's tackling data processing challenges that require AI systems capable of making decisions in microseconds, creating what he calls "autonomous science."

The conversation expands into energy systems of the future, where Coffee envisions interconnected microgrids with diverse power sources managed by intelligent systems. Rather than choosing one energy technology over another, he advocates for an ecosystem approach where each source—from nuclear fission to renewables—serves its unique purpose. His enthusiasm for modular nuclear reactors deployed near data centers reveals practical solutions for powering our AI-driven future.

Perhaps most striking is Coffee's timeline for these transformations. While many experts talk about technologies being decades away, he believes we're underestimating the pace of change: "If you think we're 10 years away, because humans are linear thinkers, it's really three." This accelerating innovation means we'll soon see technologies we can't even imagine today.

Coffee leaves us with a powerful analogy about the interface between AI and humanity, functioning like the corpus callosum connecting the brain's hemispheres. His call for psychologists, artists, and humanities experts to help shape this interface reminds us that creating our technological future requires not just engineering expertise but the full spectrum of human understanding. Listen now and discover why our autonomous future is arriving faster—and looking different—than you might expect.

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 happens when change is thrust upon us rather than chosen? In this thought-provoking conversation, Renee Wynn, former NASA CIO, EPA executive, and current independent board director, shares hard-won wisdom about navigating unexpected business disruptions with resilience and strategic clarity.

Drawing from her remarkable 30-year federal career, Renee offers a unique framework for approaching enterprise risk and technological transformation. She recounts how transitioning from EPA's environmental mission to NASA's cutting-edge operations taught her to view disruption as an opportunity for growth. The key? Developing the ability to pause, breathe through emotional reactions, and make thoughtful pivots when plans suddenly change.

Renee provides an insider's perspective on boardroom oversight of AI implementation, emphasizing the critical question organizations should ask: "Are we ready?" Rather than rushing into AI adoption, she advocates for identifying appropriate use cases, establishing governance frameworks, and, most importantly, keeping experienced humans in the loop. Her story about NASA's Automatic Ground Collision Avoidance System, which has saved pilots' lives by taking control of fighter jets during emergencies, powerfully illustrates how AI can enhance human capabilities when thoughtfully implemented.

The conversation culminates with wisdom from former Secretary Condoleezza Rice that perfectly captures the balance organizations must strike: "Innovate aggressively, but guard aggressively." For individuals navigating this rapidly changing landscape, Renee offers this compelling call to action: "Be the human they want in the loop" by continuously upskilling and demonstrating your value.

Whether you're leading an organization through digital transformation or wondering how to remain relevant in an AI-powered world, this episode offers practical guidance for turning unexpected change into your greatest advantage. Subscribe now to join the conversation about creating resilient organizations that combine technological innovation with human wisdom.

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.

The complex landscape of AI governance demands more than theoretical frameworks; it requires practical bridges between policy and implementation. Dr. Pupak Mohebali, AI policy consultant and researcher with a background in international security, brings a refreshingly grounded perspective to this challenge.

Dr. Mohebali reveals how her multidisciplinary experience shapes her approach to making AI governance accessible. "Most organizations aren't lacking frameworks," she explains. "They're lacking translation between policy and practice." Her AI governance starter kit transforms abstract principles into straightforward questions: What AI tools are we using? Who's responsible if something goes wrong? What data feeds these systems? This practical approach helps teams engage with governance without feeling overwhelmed by complexity.

The conversation challenges the dangerous myth that "AI is just a tool." Every AI system reflects human decisions about data selection, goals, and beneficiaries. By pretending AI is neutral, we shift blame from designers and organizations to the technology itself, an abdication of responsibility that Dr. Mohebali firmly rejects. This perspective connects directly to the ongoing importance of AI literacy, not to make everyone a technical expert, but to empower people to ask meaningful questions about how AI affects their lives.
Perhaps most eye-opening is the discussion of AI's hidden environmental footprint. Training large models can generate emissions equivalent to those of five cars over their entire lifespan, while services like ChatGPT potentially consume 500,000 kilowatt-hours daily. These costs remain largely invisible, particularly when systems operate through remote cloud services. "We need more than incentives," Dr. Mohebali argues. "Environmental considerations must be mandatory in regulations from the outset."

The conversation concludes with a powerful insight: AI ethics isn't a fixed endpoint but a process that continuously questions who defines ethical standards and who benefits. Want to develop a more nuanced understanding of AI governance that balances innovation with responsibility? This episode offers practical wisdom for navigating the complex intersection of technology, policy, and human impact. Subscribe and join the conversation about creating AI systems that truly serve humanity.

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.

Dive into a mind-expanding journey through four decades of technology evolution with Stephen Pullum, a veteran who's been working with AI since before most people knew it existed. From his early days programming a Commodore 64 in 1982 to managing sophisticated AI systems for the Air Force in the late 1980s, Stephen offers a rare historical perspective that helps us understand today's AI revolution.

Stephen introduces us to the crucial role of the Chief AI Security Officer (CAISO)—a position he's pioneered to bridge the dangerous gap between traditional cybersecurity and AI governance. "Your basic CISO doesn't understand AI systems," he explains, "while your AI officers don't understand enterprise security." This disconnect creates vulnerabilities that organizations are only beginning to recognize.

The conversation takes a fascinating turn when Stephen shares his experiments with agentic AI systems like Mantis and GenSpark. Through a technique he calls "shadow prompting," he demonstrates how these autonomous agents can function more as partners than tools, making decisions and collaborating without constant human intervention. Imagine a world where multiple AI agents verify each other's work before humans even see it—that future is closer than we think.

Perhaps most thought-provoking is Stephen's challenge to conventional wisdom about AI guardrails and bias. He makes a critical distinction between policies (which people follow or break) and true guardrails (which actively prevent harm), arguing that many organizations confuse the two. And on the controversial topic of AI bias, he offers a perspective that will make you question common assumptions: "There isn't any such thing as AI bias. AI is programmed by individuals who are in their own communities. Anything outside their communities doesn't fit into the algorithm."

Whether you're a seasoned AI professional or just beginning to explore this field, Stephen's insights from the frontlines of technology evolution will expand your understanding of where we've been and where we're heading. As he says with infectious enthusiasm, "Enjoy the ride. You don't know what's in the labs. You have no idea what's coming next."