In this episode of Inside Assemble AI, hosts Mac and Sam sit down with Priya Reddy, an expert in AI strategy and data literacy, to explore why the real bottleneck in AI transformation isn't technology, it's understanding!

Priya shares her insights on the critical importance of AI literacy across organizations, emphasizing that successful AI adoption requires bridging the gap between technical teams and business leaders. The conversation delves into why organizations must invest in people rather than just tools, how translation failures between data scientists and executives derail AI initiatives, and what it takes to build a culture of data-driven decision-making.

From real-world examples of AI adoption failures to practical frameworks for effective data literacy programs, this episode offers actionable guidance for leaders navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape.

Key Topics Discussed:

• Why AI literacy—encompassing data, tech, and business literacy—is the foundation of successful AI transformation
• Real-world examples of how miscommunication between technical and business teams derails AI initiatives
• The difference between data quality issues and AI model problems, and why it matters
• How executives can ask the right questions about data and AI to drive better outcomes
• Building role-based, practical data literacy programs that stick
• The role of "bilinguals"—professionals who can translate between technical and business contexts
• Why data-literate leaders will define the next era of competitive advantage

About Our Guest:

Connect with Priya on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/priyareddy-dataleader/

Checkout her consultancy services: https://www.linkedin.com/company/priya-reddy-consulting/

In this episode of Inside Assemble AI, hosts Sam Dey and Mac Goswami speak with Sam Bhagwat, Co-Founder & CEO of Maastra, about the rise of AI agents and the tools needed to build them for production.

Sam shares his journey from Gatsby to Maastra, the developer pain points that inspired the pivot, and why context engineering is critical for effective AI agents. The conversation explores Maastra’s core primitives, the impact of the Model Context Protocol (MCP), and the challenges of moving from prototype to production. The episode concludes with a forward-looking vision of AI development—smaller models, broader access, and a future with a billion developers by 2030.

🔗 Guest Links

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sambhagwat/

• Mastra: https://mastra.ai/

• Book(s): https://www.amazon.com/Principles-Building-Agents-Sam-Bhagwat/dp/B0DYH5GHDD

AI is no longer just a tool — it’s becoming a force multiplier for human potential.

In this episode of The AI Transformation Playbook, we explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping job performance, empowering the workforce, and redefining what productivity looks like in the age of automation. Rather than framing AI as a threat, the conversation focuses on how individuals and organizations can harness AI to amplify passion, unlock genius, and create meaningful impact at work.

We’re joined by Brett Schklar, a seasoned leader and practitioner at the intersection of AI, technology, and workforce transformation and the author of "AI Without the BS". With deep experience in driving real-world AI adoption, [Guest Name] brings a pragmatic perspective on how organizations and individuals can use AI to elevate performance, empower teams, and unlock human potential.

Whether you’re a business leader, technologist, or knowledge worker navigating rapid change, this episode offers a grounded, optimistic lens on AI-driven transformation.

🎧 Tune in to understand how to work with AI — not against it.