Tech Reality Check

Peggy takes a hard look at the staggering $106 trillion question: how will we build the infrastructure of tomorrow? She breaks down a major new report that maps the future of global infrastructure investment through 2040 and shares a real-world case study in Indiana. She also discusses: · Seven verticals where investment will be needed. · How infrastructure is shifting from centralized and government-led to tech-enabled, modular, and market-driven. · Why redefining infrastructure is no longer optional—and what leaders must do next.   https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy Smedley and Joe Scheidler, cofounder and CEO, Helios, pull back the curtain on the real issues that plague government, discussing why most AI (artificial intelligence) platforms fail in government environments. He says you can see so many pain points and inefficiencies and there aren’t many solutions in policy for several reasons. They also discuss: · The pace of policy—and how technology can help. · Acting locally—and thinking and reacting globally. · Where innovation is going to take us in government—and how to measure success.   http://www.heliosintel.ai

Peggy Smedley and Dane Linn, senior vice president of corporate initiatives, Business Roundtable, talk about making safety central to corporate culture. He says the mental health initiative is really focused on helping CEOs address some of the mental health needs of their employees and their families, saying mental health is essential for employee wellbeing and business performance. They also discuss: · Y How mental health and wellbeing have become a core element to safety. · Core pillars of the mental health initiative. · Case studies—and why it is important to hear other approaches to mental health.   https://www.brt.org

As the year comes to a close, Peggy has a reality check: can we really trust today’s tech predictions? She takes listeners on a journey through past forecasts and unpacks why many bold claims never quite lived up to the hype—and gives her thoughts on how to turn this into action and strategy. She also discusses: · Why historical hindsight is necessary. · Why so many predictions miss the mark—and what it means for your business. · Critical questions every leader should ask before acting on the next forecast. https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy Smedley and Rahul Shahani, partner, McKinsey & Co., talk about AI (artificial intelligence) in manufacturing and the frontline worker. He says the core work of manufacturing doesn’t change, but AI will bring new capabilities to manufacturing. They also discuss: · How agentic AI can help build an optimal production schedule, bringing higher quality products and empowering the workers with dynamic scheduling. · How to train and engage the frontline worker alongside AI and how leaders can prepare. · That tech is only 20% of the fully loaded spend to change the way a process or business works to embrace AI—and what the other 80% is. http://www.mckinsey.com/

Peggy Smedley and Ali Jani, chief product officer, Acumatica, talk about trends happening in construction and manufacturing—and how digital transformation, AI (artificial intelligence), and ERP (enterprise resource planning) will play a role. He says opportunities come usually when there is change and disruption happening—which is the case in both construction and manufacturing. They also discuss: · The role of ERP during disruption. · How the next wave of digital transformation goes beyond the cloud—and what’s next for the role of AI. · Four factors you must consider if you want to perform and grow with new technologies. Get a 15% discount on software at: https://refer.acumatica.com/PEGGYSMEDLEY https://www.acumatica.com/industries/

Peggy wraps up the month, giving her final thoughts about agentic AI (artificial intelligence). She pulls back the curtain on what’s really happening behind the scenes in today’s digital transformation—and offers her candid perspective on what comes next. She also discusses: · The critical risks businesses must address in the days ahead. · The four steps to take today to prepare for a better tomorrow. · Why the time to act is now—and how companies can cut through the hype to focus on what really matters. https://peggysmedleyshow.com

Peggy Smedley and Alex Adamopoulos, chairman and CEO, Emergn, talk about the Global Intelligent Delusion survey and what it has revelated about today’s businesses. Roughly 75% of business leaders expect to drive revenue from AI (artificial intelligence) initiatives in the next 12 months, yet 60% acknowledge AI expectations are growing faster than their ability to meet them. He says leaders expect AI to drive growth, but most aren’t equipped to deliver at scale, saying the gap isn’t even technology, it is capability. They also discuss: · If the return is being overhyped and why AI projects fail. · Why good product management is the bridge that closes this gap between expectation and capability—or ambition and execution. · Why learning and upskilling remain critical to sustaining long-term progress and profit. https://www.emergn.com  

Peggy and Kate O'Neill, author, founder, and chief tech humanist, KO Insights, talk about the unlearning problem and why AI and humans share the same dangerous flaw. She says one of the issues we are facing is everything feels like it is moving so fast—and the acceleration is causing the chaos. They also discuss: · How we can better align human knowledge and machine intelligence. · How and why to take a human-in-the-loop approach. · Two pieces of advice for next steps to take. https://www.koinsights.com

Peggy digs into how agentic AI (artificial intelligence) is poised to revolutionize the supply chain, citing big predictions, use cases, and new opportunities. She warns against getting swept up in the excitement and instead encourages focusing on practical value and measurable ROI (return on investment). She also discusses: · The key drivers behind the rise of agentic AI in supply chains. · A core challenge the supply chain must address. · One clear step supply chain leaders should take today. https://peggysmedleyshow.com/