In this thought-provoking episode of The Compassionate Cultures Podcast, host Rebbecca Hemmings speaks with Eugene Hilton, founder of North Star AI Solutions, about the promises and perils of artificial intelligence in today’s workplaces.

As organisations increasingly turn to AI to streamline recruitment, performance management, and decision-making, many overlook the risk that bias can be built into the very systems meant to create fairness. Eugene offers both practical advice and a stark warning: without intentional oversight, AI could deepen existing inequities rather than dismantle them.

Together, Rebbecca and Eugene explore how leaders and managers can embrace AI responsibly, embedding cultural humility, transparency, and ethical safeguards at every stage. They discuss what it really means to use technology in service of inclusion, and how to ensure that innovation never comes at the cost of humanity.

Part 2 of our first live edition of the Compassionate Cultures podcast is now streaming. At the start of this episode, our panel takes on a pressing question: how is the widespread public showcasing of the St George’s flag creating challenges inside the workplace? And what are leaders doing to navigate the tensions this symbol is stirring? This conversation continues our exploration of how UK societal discourse, around who is deemed deserving and who is not, is becoming increasingly polarised. From flags and migrant hotel protests to marches on the streets, these issues inevitably seep through workplace doors. The challenge for organisations is how to respond. Joining me in this live discussion are: • Head of DEI&B at Birmingham City Council • CEO of The Smallpeice Trust • Head of Student EDI at the University of Birmingham, Loreal Stokes We would love to hear your reflections on Spotify, and please remember to subscribe so you never miss an episode.

Now streaming on all major platforms and at www.strawberrywords.co.uk.

UK societal discourse around who is deemed deserving and who is not is becoming increasingly polarised. The flags, the migrant hotel protests, and the marches are all symbols of this growing discontent. But how does the workplace contend with these issues when they inevitably seep through its doors?

This is the focus of the first live edition of the Compassionate Cultures podcast, featuring the Head of DEI&B at Birmingham City Council, the CEO of The Smallpeice Trust, and the Head of Student EDI at the University of Birmingham, Loreal Stokes.

To make it easier to engage with, the episode has been split into two parts. As always, we’d love to hear your thoughts on Spotify. Don’t forget to subscribe. Now streaming on all major platforms and at www.strawberrywords.co.uk.