AI Today Podcast

As AI Today enters its 10th season, host Kathleen Walch takes a step back to reflect on nearly a decade of conversations about artificial intelligence and the lessons that remain just as relevant today as they were when the podcast launched in 2017.  In this special anniversary episode, Kathleen explores how AI has evolved from predictive analytics and machine learning initiatives led by specializ...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch speaks with Dave Prior, project management consultant, longtime PMI volunteer, host of DrunkenPM Radio, and PMI-CPMAI certified practitioner.  Dave shares his journey from resisting Agile to embracing it and now confronting AI with similar skepticism before finding clarity through the PMI-CPMAI certification. He explains how the methodology helps ov...

Kathleen Walch speaks with Jürgen Eckhart, Engineering Program Manager at Google in Munich, lecturer in project management, and PMI-CPMAI certified practitioner. Jürgen shares how CPMAI expanded his “toolbox” for managing AI projects, grounding them in business value, quality data, and realistic stakeholder expectations. He explains why AI must be treated as iterative and probabilistic, not determ...

Kathleen Walch speaks with Vinay Babu Tarala, Agile and AI Transformation Leader at AT&T, PMI Pearl City Hyderabad Chapter General Secretary, and author of AI Meets Agile . With passion and candor, Vinay shares how early AI project failures led him to PMI-CPMAI certification, transforming his approach to managing AI initiatives. He illustrates how CPMAI’s structured framework reduced software...

Kathleen Walch speaks with Johan Sporre, Engineering Manager at IKEA Retail (Ingka Group) and CPMAI-certified professional, about how AI is transforming translation and language services at scale.  Johan explains how his team supports 230,000 coworkers across 64 markets, with 90% of translations now AI-driven, and how CPMAI ensures alignment, quality data, and measurable outcomes. An IKEA case stu...

In this episode of AI Today , host Kathleen Walch speaks with Michael Joyce, Enterprise Service Delivery and AI Transformation Leader at Cisco, about what it really takes to move AI from experimentation to operational impact in enterprise project delivery.  Drawing on his experience leading technical program management teams across multiple customers, Michael shares how Cisco is applying generativ...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch speaks with CP Richardson who is co-founder of Agile in Color, an Agile Alliance Board Member, and is also PMI- CPMAI certified to discuss what it really takes to bring AI into day-to-day work with discipline, intention, and the right framework. CP draws on more than 15 years of experience across software development, operations, marketing, and AI,...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Chris Scordo, Founder and Managing Director of PMTraining—a PMI Authorized Training Partner—for a candid conversation about deploying AI responsibly in a training business while keeping the human element at the center.   As artificial intelligence reshapes how content is created and delivered, Chris explains how the project management...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Sumathi Arcot, Project Director for Lean Agile Transformation in AstraZeneca’s U.S. Oncology Business Unit, for a candid conversation on what it really takes to manage AI responsibly in one of the world’s most regulated industries.  Sumathi shares how the CPMAI methodology fundamentally shifted her perspective on AI, from something ex...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch talks with Ivonne Mejia, Lead Project Portfolio Manager for the San Francisco Bay Region Network at California State University (CSU), to discuss how PMOs can drive responsible AI transformation in higher education. As multiple CSU campuses consolidate under one unified PMO, Ivonne shares how she's embedding CPMAI into portfolio intake, priorit...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch is joined by Michael Hyzy, Vice President of AI Strategy and Product Development at CGI, to explore why so many AI initiatives struggle—and why methodology matters more than ever.  Drawing on his experience leading enterprise AI initiatives in regulated industries, Michael explains why treating AI like traditional software often leads to failure, st...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Dr. Katrenia Reed Hughes, educator, curriculum designer, and project leader, to explore how AI is transforming education—and what it means to prepare learners for project success in a rapidly changing world.  As part of AI Today's PMI Global Summit Series, this conversation highlights how AI can be used not just as a tool, but as...

In this episode of AI Today , host Kathleen Walch sits down with Lee Lambert, PMI Fellow, a founder of the PMP certification, and long-time project management thought leader. Recorded live at PMI Global Summit 2025 , this conversation bridges the past, present, and future of the project management profession. Lee shares his candid thoughts on how AI is reshaping what it means to lead projects—and...

In this episode of AI Today , host Kathleen Walch sits down with Ashima Sharma , Founding Partner of Ayuka Consulting, to explore what it really takes to deliver AI that works—in practice, at scale, and with purpose.  This conversation was recorded live at PMI Global Summit 2025 and highlights the often-overlooked foundations of successful AI adoption: clean, contextual data; empowered, cross-func...

In this episode of AI Today , host Kathleen Walch sits down with Chris Caldwell , CEO of Concentrix, to explore how AI is being operationalized across customer experience (CX) ecosystems—from listening and learning to acting and delivering at scale.  This conversation dives into how trust, transparency, and intentional use of AI are helping Concentrix deliver highly personalized experiences for so...

In this episode of AI Today , host Kathleen Walch sits down with Fred Laluyaux , CEO of Aera Technology, to discuss how enterprises are evolving their operating models through AI-powered decision intelligence.   Tune in to hear about:   What “decision intelligence” really means—and why it matters  How AI can move from experiments to operational transformation  The rise of decision architects and c...

In this episode of AI Today , recorded live at the Agile2025 event, host Kathleen Walch sits down with Jason Little , author of Lean Change Management and founder of Lean Change Inc., to explore how AI is reshaping how we lead change across teams and organizations.  As part of our AI & Agile mini-series, this conversation unpacks how traditional change models are breaking down in the face of r...

In this episode of AI Today , recorded live at the Agile2025 event, hosts Kathleen Walch and Avinash Dhanraj sit down with Anu Smalley , enterprise agile coach and organizational change leader, to explore how Agile teams can thoughtfully integrate AI into their workflows.  As part of our AI & Agile mini-series , this conversation explores how values like trust, empathy, and psychological safet...

In this episode of AI Today , recorded live at the Agile2025 event, hosts Kathleen Walch and Avinash Dhanraj sit down with author, entrepreneur, and organizational design expert Jurgen Appelo to explore how agility must evolve in the age of AI.  As part of our AI & Agile mini-series, this conversation unpacks the challenges of outdated frameworks, the importance of experimentation, and what it...

In this special episode of AI Today , recorded live at Agile2025, hosts Kathleen Walch and Avinash Dhanraj sit down with Agile Manifesto co-author and Agile pioneer Jim Highsmith to explore the intersection of AI and agility in the enterprise.  This episode kicks off the AI Today Agile & AI mini-series , focusing on how organizations can stay adaptive in an era of rapid technological change. J...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch, Director, AI Engagement and Community at PMI, continues the AI in Healthcare mini-series, produced in partnership by PMI and the Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Kathleen sits down with Dr. Lukasz Kowalcyzk, a practicing gastroenterologist and seasoned Healthtech advisor, to explore how AI can meaningfully support oper...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch, Director, AI Engagement and Community, PMI, continues the AI in Healthcare mini-series, produced in partnership by PMI and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). Today, Kathleen sits down with Dr. Reza Ryan Sadeghian, System Chief Medical Information Officer at University of Toledo Health. Dr. Sadeghian is also PMP-certified...

In this episode of AI Today, host Kathleen Walch, Director, AI Engagement and Community, PMI, kicks off the AI in Healthcare mini-series, produced in partnership by PMI and Healthcare Information and Management Systems Society (HIMSS). This three-part series explores how artificial intelligence is transforming the healthcare ecosystem— from frontline care to back-office operations. Today, Kathleen...

In this episode of AI Today , hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer explore how artificial intelligence is being used by non-profits and mission-driven organizations to amplify their social impact. From improving fundraising to optimizing resource distribution, AI is proving to be a powerful force for good. Discover how AI is helping organizations: Enhance donor engagement with personalized outre...

In this episode of AI Today , hosts Kathleen Walch and Ron Schmelzer explore how artificial intelligence is powering the evolution of smart cities. From traffic lights to energy grids, AI is helping urban areas become more efficient, responsive, and sustainable. Learn how AI is being used to: Manage smart buildings through automated lighting, heating, and cooling Optimize traffic flow with real-ti...