How do we teach kids to use AI before it starts shaping how they think, learn, and see the world?

This week, I'm joined by Jeff Riley, former Massachusetts Commissioner of Education and current Executive Director of Day of AI, an organization working at the national level to help students, educators, and families understand AI in safe, ethical, and productive ways.

From AI literacy and critical thinking to bias, misinformation, and long-term cognitive impact, this conversation explores what children actually need to know about AI. Not just how to use it, but how to evaluate it. We unpack why "trust but verify" matters, how automation can support deeper learning instead of shortcut thinking, and what it looks like to prepare the next generation for a future where AI is everywhere.

Connect with Jeff:

Website: ​​dayofai.org

LinkedIn: Jeffrey C. Riley

You've heard the terms UI and UX, but what do they really mean when AI is in the mix? This week, I sit down with Nick Cawthon, Principal at Gauge, to explore how human behavior and design intersect with technology, and why trust might be the most important factor in whether people actually use what we build.

Nick brings stories from the early days of the internet to today's AI-driven tools, showing how design isn't just about making things look good. It's about creating experiences that feel intuitive, reliable, and human. This isn't a conversation about technology for technology's sake. It's about making automation work for people.

Connect with Nick:

LinkedIn: Nick Cawthon

Website: gauge.io

AI may be powering more of our customer interactions than ever before, but when the technology is built without empathy, it misses the mark, especially with the world's most influential consumer: women. By 2028, women will control 75% of discretionary spending, yet most AI-driven experiences are still designed from a male perspective. In this episode, I sit down with Katie Mares to unpack what's missing in today's AI-powered customer experiences and how to bridge the gap between human emotion and machine efficiency.

Connect with Katie:

Website: katiemares.com

Book: CustomHer Experience

Instagram: @katiemares