What happens when we prioritse innovation over ethics in AI development? Kerry Sheehan, a machine learning specialist with a fascinating journey from journalism to AI policy, explores this critical question as she shares powerful insights on responsible AI implementation.

Kerry takes us on a compelling exploration of AI guardrails, comparing them to bowling alley bumpers that prevent technologies from causing harm. Her work with the British Standards Institute has helped establish frameworks rooted in fairness, transparency, and human oversight – creating what she calls "shared language for responsible development" without stifling innovation.

The conversation reveals profound insights about diversity in AI development teams. "If the teams building AI systems don't represent those that the end results will serve, it's not ethical," Kerry asserts. She compares bias to bad seasoning that ruins an otherwise excellent recipe, highlighting how diverse perspectives throughout the development lifecycle are essential for creating fair, beneficial systems.

Kerry's expertise shines as she discusses emerging ethical challenges in AI, from foundation models to synthetic data and agentic systems. She advocates for guardrails that function as supportive scaffolding rather than restrictive handcuffs – principle-driven frameworks with room for context that allow developers to be agile while maintaining ethical boundaries.

What makes this episode particularly valuable are the actionable takeaways: audit your existing AI systems for fairness, develop clear governance frameworks you could confidently explain to others, add ethical reviews to project boards, and include people with diverse lived experiences in your design meetings. These practical steps can help organisations build AI systems that truly work for everyone, not just the privileged few.

This is an important conversation about making AI work for humanity rather than against it. Kerry's perspective will transform how you think about responsible technology implementation in your organisation.

More information
Kerry on LinkedIn

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A phone call that changes everything. A seemingly impossible challenge. Hours instead of months to prepare. When mezzo-soprano Deborah Humble received that unexpected call from the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, she faced a career-defining decision: step onto the stage of the Sydney Opera House that very evening to perform Gustav Mahler's Second Symphony—a piece she had never fully sung before—or walk away from the opportunity of a lifetime.

What followed was a whirlwind day of frantic preparation, from retrieving a discarded concert dress from a garbage bag in her car trunk to a 45-minute crash course with her vocal coach. With barely enough time to warm up, Deborah found herself standing before a sold-out audience at the Sydney Opera House, performing in a concert that was not only being live-streamed globally but also recorded by Deutsche Grammophon for worldwide release.

The stakes couldn't have been higher. The pressure more intense. Yet amid the chaos, Deborah found clarity in a simple thought: "Simone wouldn't have asked you to step up if she didn't think you could do it." With the support of conductor Simone Young and drawing on decades of professional experience, Deborah delivered a performance that earned her a standing ovation and secured her place in Sydney Opera House history.

This remarkable story transcends the world of classical music, offering powerful insights about preparation meeting opportunity, managing self-doubt, and having the courage to take calculated risks. As Deborah reflects, "We are capable of doing what we have spent our whole lives working towards." Her experience reminds us that behind every "overnight success" lies years of dedication, discipline, and determination—qualities that prepare us to seize extraordinary moments when they unexpectedly arrive.

Ready to be inspired by a tale of remarkable courage under pressure? Listen as Deborah reveals what it truly takes to rise to an impossible occasion when everything is on the line.

Find out more about Deborah Humble on her website.

Listen to the recording here.

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Your Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew Grill

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Welcome to Season 7 of the Digitally Curious Podcast. This show is a perfect compendium if you’ve bought the book of the same name, and if you haven’t grabbed yourself a copy, may I suggest that’s something you should consider investing in - just click here or ask for it by name wherever great books are sold.

In today’s episode, we’re going back in time to an interview I conducted with David Shrier in late 2021 - well before ChatGPT hit the headlines. We discuss his book Augmenting Your Career: How to Win at Work In the Age of AI, and the book and our discussion are as relevant as ever, three years on.

What I found interesting while editing the episode on New Year’s Day 2025 is that it’s an excellent discussion about the fundamentals of AI without the hype of ChatGPT and Generative AI

David Shrier, a trailblazer in technology and educational innovation, joins us in dissecting the future of work in the age of artificial intelligence. His perspective on AI as "augmented intelligence" challenges us to rethink the relationship between humans and machines.

With examples from around the globe, David advocates for AI literacy as a cornerstone of modern education, highlighting how nations like Denmark, China, and Singapore are setting benchmarks.

This episode promises to enhance your understanding of how AI can be integrated into educational ecosystems and professional life, guided by insights from David's book, "Augmenting Your Career."

Navigating the ethical landscape of AI is more important than ever, and we bring focus to the critical role of government regulators in this space. We dive into real-world examples, such as Google's image recognition failures, to underscore the importance of diverse data and ethical diligence. The conversation praises initiatives like those of the UK government and challenges the pitfalls of overregulation, drawing lessons from New York's BitLicense situation. ]

Our discussion is a must-listen for anyone interested in how regulatory frameworks can either propel or stifle technological innovation.

As AI reshapes the job market, we explore the shifting roles and opportunities emerging across various industries. From philosophy majors finding their niche in AI development to the resilience of healthcare and creative arts, there's a world of possibility awaiting those prepared to adapt. We also touch on corporate responsibility, using Accenture's workforce reskilling as a model for sustaining company culture amidst AI-driven changes.

Discover practical strategies for staying ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape, emphasizing cognitive flexibility and continuous learning as keys to thriving in the digital age.

More on David
David on LinkedIn
David's books

Thanks for listening to Digitally Curious. You can buy the book that showcases these episodes at curious.click/order

Your Host is Actionable Futurist® Andrew Grill

For more on Andrew - what he speaks about and recent talks, please visit ActionableFuturist.com

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Andrew on LinkedIn
@AndrewGrill on Twitter
@Andrew.Grill on Instagram
Keynote speeches here
Order Digitally Curious