Our guest is someone who works in Africa and across the Caribbean, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship through business studios and incubators.

Chrystèle Sanon is a serial entrepreneur in her own right, supporting innovation and business incubation globally, with a concentration in Africa and the Afro-Caribbean. She is a founding member of United Afro Experts for Innovation, as well as the founder of QWAMPUS – Station F. QWAMPUS is a resource center for various stakeholders in business creation support. It enables them to quickly deploy their own digital incubator using the Incubation Management System software, educational formats to enhance their project leaders’ skills, and a library of branded videos and text content. Station F in Paris is the world’s largest startup campus. These are only two of many accomplishments.

Chrystele and I first met in Toronto in late 2023 at a conference on entrepreneurship and higher education hosted by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development. We then had an opportunity to sit down for a long conversation in Paris in February, which led to the idea for this podcast. It was immediately clear to me that her work and story needed to be shared with new audiences.

The conversation touches on a range of topics, including her strategic choices to address the needs of business incubators and studios, the energy and potential advantages of entrepreneurs from less economically developed countries, and the role incubators can play in encouraging collective action among creatives.

This program was edited by William Edwards. The music was written and performed by Ronnie Malley. Support for this program was provided by the Board of Directors of the Institute for Work & the Economy. The accompanying transcript was lightly edited.

Today’s podcast is another in a series of first-person stories about how artificial intelligence is used in daily life.

The adoption of AI differs from other new technologies. In the past, new technologies demanded substantial investment. Organizations carefully identified their needs and potential applications before taking action.

Organizations are still making decisions about the use of expensive enterprise-wide AI applications. But the barrier to entry for many AI services is near zero, and people – and, as you will hear, kids – are taking it upon themselves to incorporate artificial intelligence in their work. Some places encourage experimentation, while others prefer to impose strict controls. But achieving total control is nearly impossible.

Our podcasts invite people on the front lines to share their stories about how AI is being used. The listener will gain insights into the thought processes of those who are making sense of this new world. We believe this will help guide your own efforts.

Today’s guests are from the Los Angeles County School system.

Patrick Gittisriboongul is Superintendent of the Lynwood Unified School District, serving 11,200 students living within a 4-square-mile community in Southeast Los Angeles County. The district operates 17 schools from traditional kindergarten through 12th grade, and provides adult education at the Lynwood Community Adult School. Its mission is to build leaders and unlock brilliance in every scholar it serves. Patrick is a first-generation Asian American whose parents are Thai immigrants. He has been a public educator for more than 24 years. Prior to becoming superintendent, he was Lynwood’s assistant superintendent of technology and innovation.

Casey Cuny is the 2024 California Teacher of the Year with more than two decades of teaching experience. Cuny teaches 10th-grade honors English and Senior mythology and folklore at Valencia High School in Santa Clarita, California. He serves as English Department Chair and the school’s Instructional Coach. He also teaches in the Master’s of Education program at National University, working with teachers from across the country, and was recently awarded the 2025 National University Academic Excellence Delphi Award. He is also currently working with ASU to develop their new California Teacher Credential program.

Beginning in 2025, our podcasts will feature first-person stories about how work and opportunities are shifting due to technological, business, and social upheavals. You will hear from people who are finding ways to make sense of these chaotic times and the lessons they learn along the way.

The podcasts will be organized into separate series that reflect the Institute's interests and activities. Today’s conversation marks the first installment in our series on artificial intelligence in the workplace.

The adoption of AI differs from other new technologies. In the past, new technologies demanded substantial investment. Organizations carefully identified their needs and potential applications before taking action.

Organizations are still making decisions about the use of expensive enterprise-wide AI applications. But the barrier to entry for many AI services is nearly zero, and people are taking it upon themselves to incorporate artificial intelligence into their work. Some employers encourage experimentation, while others prefer to impose strict controls. But achieving total control is nearly impossible.

Principles for the responsible use and deployment of AI are essential and valuable. There are ongoing efforts to write new policies at many levels; however, these efforts are struggling to keep pace with the accelerating rate of change in artificial intelligence.

We’re adopting a different approach from other discussions on artificial intelligence. Instead of featuring AI experts and developers building AI solutions, our series highlights people on the frontlines within their organizations who are trying to understand how AI can be and is used and customized for their specific needs.

We aim to share real-world examples of how and where artificial intelligence is being adopted and adapted, as well as where it doesn’t seem to work. The listener will gain insights into the thought processes of those who are making sense of this new world. We believe this will help guide your own efforts.

Today’s guests are from the University of Illinois system.

Joe Barnes serves as the Chief Digital Risk Officer at the Digital Risk Office of the University of Illinois System. He is responsible for managing the University of Illinois System's Digital Risk Management (DRM) program.

David Chestek is a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine, a practicing trauma physician, and an associate professor of emergency medicine at the University of Illinois Chicago and the hospital. He also serves as the Chief Health Information Officer at UI Health.

Chris Tidrick is the Chief Information Officer at Gies College of Business, where he oversees the technology and data teams for the college. He previously served as chair of the Generative AI Solutions Hub on the Urbana campus from September 2023 to June 2025.

David Chestek and Chris Tidric are the chair and vice-chair, respectively, of the University of Illinois System AI Exchange.