In this episode of Swimming with Sharks, Kevin Dean sits down with David Pearlman, Senior Director of Education at Adobe, to explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping enterprise operations, leadership, and the way we learn.

Drawing on decades of experience at Microsoft and Adobe, David shares how AI is helping reduce noise in the workplace, accelerating asynchronous education, and redefining the role of leadership. From improving email efficiency to navigating shadow AI and compliance, this conversation cuts through the hype and gets to the heart of what meaningful AI adoption looks like.

What you'll learn:

• How AI helps leaders focus on people, not process
  Why personalized learning is replacing traditional models
• The risks of shadow AI and the importance of governance
• How AI can elevate — not eliminate — human work

This is a practical, insightful conversation for business leaders, educators, and enterprise professionals preparing for what’s next.

Connect with the Guest:
David Pearlman on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/davidmpearlman

Hosted by Kevin Dean
Founder, ManoByte – linkedin.com/in/kevinddean

In this episode, Kevin Dean sits down with Anthony Coppedge to discuss the rapid changes in technology, leadership, and business strategy. With the rise of Generative AI (GenAI), businesses are facing a transformation as significant as the advent of the internet and mobile technology. But how should organizations adapt, align, and think differently to stay ahead?

🔹 Key Topics Covered:
✅ The rate of change vs. individual technological shifts
✅ Why GenAI is a force multiplier – but not a silver bullet
✅ The importance of alignment and clarity in leadership
✅ How to move beyond vanity metrics to focus on real value
✅ Why organizational culture and empathy are crucial in the AI era
✅ The role of agentic AI in the future workforce

🔥 "More of the wrong thing faster is NOT winning!" – Anthony Coppedge

💡 If you’re a leader, entrepreneur, or innovator looking to navigate the future of AI and business transformation, this conversation is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

🎵 Bonus: Anthony shares a personal music recommendation from his jazz-legend grandfather, Burgess Surges – check it out!

In this episode of Swimming with Sharks, Kevin Dean, CEO of ManoByte, is joined by Rob Ryan, Head of Thought Leadership at WorkGrid Software, for an in-depth discussion on the role of conversational AI in streamlining employee workflows and improving internal communication. Rob shares his insights on organizational change, the evolution of employee experience platforms, and the importance of aligning AI projects with business goals.

Introduction: Kevin introduces Rob Ryan, who has extensive experience in organizational strategy and technology deployment. Rob provides background on WorkGrid Software and its mission to reduce digital friction in the workplace.

Interview Highlights:

• Conversational AI as a Digital Assistant: Rob explains how WorkGrid leverages NLP and machine learning to create digital assistants that streamline employees’ day-to-day tasks. He discusses how conversational AI can reduce digital distractions by integrating with existing tech stacks and bringing actionable insights directly to employees.
• Getting Started with AI Projects: The conversation explores practical steps for organizations to initiate AI projects, emphasizing the importance of quick wins and internal use cases. Rob shares advice on piloting AI initiatives, mitigating risks, and developing a governance strategy to ensure AI aligns with business objectives.
• Transforming Employee Experience with AI: Rob highlights how conversational AI can enhance the employee experience by reducing app hopping and context switching, ultimately fostering a more productive and engaging work environment. He emphasizes that AI should assist, not replace, the human workforce.

Key Takeaways:

• Building an AI Strategy: Rob advises organizations to start with low-risk, high-value AI use cases that support internal goals and gradually expand based on proven results.
• Importance of Governance: A strong governance framework is essential for AI projects to ensure that they are sustainable and that technology is used ethically and effectively.
• Prioritizing Employee Experience: By integrating AI into the flow of daily tasks, companies can improve employee engagement and reduce friction, allowing employees to focus on high-value work.