Asana CIO | The Playbook for Human x AI Collaboration

Connect with Saket Srivastava: https://www.linkedin.com/in/saket-srivastava-84069711/👉 Asana CIO Saket Srivastava joins Liam Lawson to unpack why the future is about **collaboration over autonomy** in AI. He shares how Asana’s Work Graph underpins AI features like Smart Chat, AI Studio, and the new **AI Teammates** (with human-in-the-loop checkpoints and enterprise controls), and explains the evolving role of the CIO from back-office technologist to strategy co-creator. Saket gets specific on IT–HR partnership for AI transformation, surveying employee readiness, building an internal AI council, balancing experimentation with measurable impact, and coaching teams through change. They also tackle job displacement realistically, discuss building an AI-first culture, and end with Saket’s personal motivations, strengths, and where he’d improve.📚 Chapters00:00 Welcome & setup01:31 What Asana is & the CIO role04:39 How the CIO role changed from 2024 → 202506:11 What makes a great CIO (three-level framework)09:15 What are Asana AI Teammates?12:42 Why autonomy isn’t the goal; context, checkpoints, control14:48 Asana’s AI suite (Smart Chat, AI Studio, Teammates)15:04 The Work Graph model & “pyramid of clarity”18:31 Human-in-the-loop in practice (IT ticketing, campaign strategist)20:50 Natural-language collaboration & explainability22:01 Where AI Teammates underperform & the data hurdle25:30 Change management & the IT–HR partnership29:08 Baseline survey: excited-but-stuck employees32:14 Bottom-up innovation + top-down direction33:39 AI council, show-and-tells, and grassroots adoption36:12 Balancing innovation with impact (don’t kill experiments with ROI)37:24 Addressing fear vs. optimism; why leaning in matters40:08 Generational readiness & learning paths43:03 The future of work: augmentation over dystopia44:31 Saket beyond tech; problem-solving DNA46:45 Strengths & what he’d improve as a leader48:59 Why Saket does what he does📰 Join the Newsletter: [https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribe]⭐️ Get Enterprise Training: [https://www.upscaile.com/corporate-training]

Connect with Josh Furstoss: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-furstoss/Follow Josh on X: https://x.com/josh_furstoss👉 In this episode, Liam Lawson sits down with Josh Furstoss — founder of Spinout Studios and former CEO of Incued — to unpack his journey from cleaning blood off walls in a grocery store meat department to building and exiting a data intelligence startup. Josh shares his wild early job stories, how curiosity and enthusiasm launched his tech career, and the lessons learned working with government agencies on large-scale security projects. They dive deep into the creation and mission behind Incued, the moral drive for financial transparency, and Josh’s new focus with Spinout Studios — helping corporations turn dormant IP and data into profitable spinouts. The conversation also explores wealth, purpose, robotics, the future of work, and what truly brings peace and meaning after an exit.📚 Chapters 00:00 Early Jobs and Wild Grocery Store Stories 04:40 Learning Sales at Best Buy and Samsung 08:10 Breaking Into Tech Through Cold Outreach 12:00 Corporate Life, Security Projects, and the FBI 17:10 Learning Value and Realizing Undervaluation 21:00 First Startup Failures and Founding Incued 25:20 Building Truth and Transparency Into Fintech 27:40 Anger, Pain, and Finding Purpose Post-Exit 33:30 Wealth, Status, and the Myth of Success 38:05 Building Spinout Studios — Founders vs Consultants43:00 The Art of Spinouts and Niche Innovation 47:30 Midwest Private Equity Culture vs SF Startups 51:45 The Future of Robotics and Specialized Automation 53:40 Loneliness, AI Companionship, and Human Connection56:27 The Future of Work and Economic Displacement 01:02:20 Why Josh Does What He Does 📰 Join the Newsletter: https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribe ⭐️ Get Enterprise Training: https://www.upscaile.com/corporate-training

Connect with Cory:bluemoso.comlinked-agency.com👉 In this conversation, Cory B shares his journey from early entrepreneurial ventures to founding BluMOSA, a LinkedIn agency dedicated to inspiring everyday individuals to find their voice and start their businesses. He reflects on the lessons learned from his early ventures, the importance of building strong team culture, and his approach to risk management. Cory also dives into the role of personal branding, the impact of outsourcing and AI on the future of work, and why being self-focused—not selfish—leads to more meaningful leadership and success.📚 Chapters00:00 Inspiring Everyday Entrepreneurs 01:53 Lessons from Early Business Ventures 07:01 Navigating Risk and Confidence in Entrepreneurship 13:27 The Accidental Birth of BluMOSA 17:07 Finding Your Voice and Brand Identity 21:28 The Comprehensive Offerings of BluMOSA 24:47 Team Culture and Motivation at BluMOSA 26:09 Leading by Example: The Importance of Hard Work 26:59 Hiring for Trust and Coachability 28:24 The Future of Work: Outsourcing and AI 30:45 Building a Supportive Team Culture 33:23 Vision for Growth: Supporting Families and Communities 35:41 Self-Focused Leadership: Balancing Personal and Team Needs 37:33 Finding Joy in Work: The Role of Passion 40:56 Optimism in the Face of Change: The Future of Work 43:08 Purpose-Driven Work: Why I Do What I Do 📰 Join the Newsletter: https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribe ⭐️ Get Enterprise Training: https://www.upscaile.com/corporate-training

Connect with Sophie: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sophie-theodorou-89261b186/Connect with Jett: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jett-miller-b31041314/👉 In this roundtable-style conversation, Liam Lawson sits down with Sophie (@teach2ai) and Jett Miller to explore the intersection of AI, content creation, and education. Sophie shares her journey from teaching math and science during the pandemic to becoming a full-time AI consultant, trainer, and content creator with over 100K followers. She explains how authenticity, consistency, and simplicity have fueled her growth on TikTok while working with brands like ClickUp, Bolt, and String. Jett, from DTC House, adds insights into scaling organic short-form content for startups and enterprise clients, revealing how AI-focused marketing campaigns go viral and drive real user growth. Together, they discuss industry pain points, the rise of AI influencers, the future of content authenticity, and why businesses of all sizes should rethink how they communicate value in the age of AI.📚 Chapters00:00 Welcome Sophie and Jett00:40 Sophie’s transition from teacher to AI creator01:57 The viral TikToks that started it all03:05 Why authenticity beats high production04:41 Overcoming hesitancy in content creation06:25 How Sophie and Jett started working together08:24 Inside DTC House’s shadow accounts10:01 Using AI tools for real client work6:21 Why Sophie’s account stood out to Jett27:42 Internet “money bros” and fake AI claims50:23 From workshops to AI consulting55:34 Pain points businesses face with AI\58:58 The challenge of scaling consulting work01:00:39 Teaching adults vs. teaching students01:03:19 What people really need to learn about LLMs01:07:43 Why Perplexity stands out01:09:01 Why people like working with Sophie01:10:58 Why Sophie does what she does01:14:01 Final advice for AI founders📰 Join the Newsletter: [https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribe]⭐️ Get Enterprise Training: [https://www.upscaile.com/corporate-training]

Connect with Othmane Khadri: https://www.linkedin.com/in/othmane-khadri-b48162236/👉 Othmane Khadri shares his journey from working in startups to launching his own agency, emphasizing the importance of betting on oneself and the evolving landscape of AI and entrepreneurship. He discusses the challenges of marketing in a commoditized product environment, the significance of data in AI implementations, and his agency's unique approach to support early-stage startups. Othmane also reflects on the qualities of successful entrepreneurs, the cultural perceptions of entrepreneurship, and the importance of personal values and health in achieving success.📚 Chapters00:00 From Employee to Entrepreneur: A Pivotal Shift 05:42 The Future of AI and Entrepreneurship 11:27 Building a Unique Agency: Insights and Strategies 16:52 Navigating Early Stage Startups vs. Established Companies 22:30 The Role of Data in AI Implementation 28:17 Leveraging AI for Business Growth 34:26 The Human-AI Collaboration in Business 38:28 Incentivizing Talent in the Age of AI 40:50 Finding and Attracting High Ownership Talent 43:09 Hiring for Brains vs. Hands 44:54 The Importance of Incentives and Profit Sharing 48:35 The Evolution of Earleads and Branding 52:07 Common Traits of Successful Entrepreneurs 55:11 Learning from Failure and System Thinking 57:30 Cultural Perspectives on Entrepreneurship 01:05:43 Processing Failure and Personal Habits 01:07:42 Motivations Behind Entrepreneurship 📰 Join the Newsletter: https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribe ⭐️ Get Enterprise Training: https://www.upscaile.com/corporate-training

Try breaker here: joinbreaker.ai/tair1👉 In this conversation, Liam Lawson and Ben Billups dive into a wide range of topics—from the benefits of standing desks and coworking spaces to the impact of AI on technology and marketing. They discuss the transition from agency work to SaaS, the importance of email marketing and newsletters, and how AI is reshaping the future of communication. Ben also shares insights from building his unique email platform, Breaker, highlighting ethical marketing, solving real customer problems, and navigating compliance challenges. The episode wraps with forward-looking predictions on tech trends, audience ownership, and the evolving role of AI in business.📚 Chapters00:00 Introduction and Standing Desks 02:52 Coworking Spaces and Venture Capital 05:42 The Future of Tech and AI 08:43 Vibe Coding and GPT-5 11:23 Product Market Fit and Email Marketing 14:37 The Rise of Newsletters 17:12 Creating Unique Content 20:17 Transitioning from Agency to SaaS 22:45 Mindset Shift in SaaS Development 34:23 Navigating SaaS Development Challenges 35:59 Differentiating Breaker in the Email Market 37:50 Innovative Lead Generation Strategies 41:58 Target Audience and Market Fit 43:44 Understanding Email Compliance and Deliverability 47:22 The Impact of AI on Business and Compliance 48:18 Building a Defensible Business Model 50:48 The Future of Audience Ownership 56:45 Rented vs. Owned Audiences 57:42 The Role of Platforms in Business Growth 59:41 Customer Support in a Scaled Environment 01:01:16 AI Integration in Business Processes 01:03:29 Predictions for the Future of Tech and AI 📰 Join the Newsletter: https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribe ⭐️ Get Enterprise Training: https://www.upscaile.com/corporate-training

Connect with Manthan Patel: https://www.linkedin.com/in/leadgenmanthan/👉 In this conversation, Manthan Patel shares his journey into AI and content creation, highlighting the role of altruism, self-improvement, and openness in building a meaningful career. He discusses his early experiences with AI, his work with Vector Shift AI, and the lessons learned from his mentor, Albert. Manthan also dives into course development, the importance of understanding audience psychology, and the evolution of lead generation strategies. Along the way, he emphasizes the value of personal branding, effective time management, and human connection in high-ticket sales. The discussion closes with advice for those entering the AI industry—reminding us that technical expertise is no longer a barrier to starting.📚 Chapters00:00 Core Principles of Altruism and Self-Improvement 02:09 First Encounters with AI Technology 04:12 Working with Vector Shift AI 07:45 Lessons from Albert: Entrepreneurship Insights 09:20 Course Development Journey 13:39 Evaluating Course Success and Growth 16:34 Understanding the Audience 18:53 The Evolution of Lead Generation 23:00 Cold Outreach Strategies and Effectiveness 25:00 The Human Element in High-Ticket Sales 28:38 Understanding Client Demographics and Success Stories 30:28 Diverse Clientele: From Vending Machines to SaaS 32:52 Building a Social Media Presence: Strategies for Growth 35:23 The Psychology of Content: Hooks and Engagement 37:17 Daily Routines: Balancing Work and Learning 44:21 The Importance of Personal Branding 52:06 Demystifying AI: Accessibility for All 📰 Join the Newsletter: https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribe ⭐️ Get Enterprise Training: https://www.upscaile.com/corporate-training

Connect with Sabahudin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sabahudin-murtic/👉 In this conversation, Liam Lawson and Sabahudin Murtic discuss the impact of AI on critical thinking, the journey of entrepreneurship, and the importance of building a personal brand on LinkedIn. Sabahudin shares his experiences with AI tools, learning through experimentation, and the significance of community and networking in achieving success. They also delve into client relationships, crafting offers, and provide advice for aspiring entrepreneurs looking to navigate the AI landscape.📚 Chapters00:00 The Impact of AI on Critical Thinking04:42 Personal Journey into AI and Entrepreneurship09:16 Building a Brand on LinkedIn13:57 Learning and Experimentation in AI18:45 The Importance of Community and Networking23:14 Navigating Client Relationships and Sales27:50 Technical Infrastructure and Tools for Success32:24 Crafting Offers and Understanding Client Needs37:07 Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs in AI📰 Join the Newsletter: https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribe⭐️ Get Enterprise Training: https://www.upscaile.com/corporate-training

Sign up to Orbit Flows here: orbitflows.com?via=theaireportSummaryIn this conversation, Ethan Reeves shares his journey from a young programmer to co-founder of Orbit Marketing, discussing the evolution of AI and its impact on marketing. He emphasizes the importance of email marketing, trust, and authority in building successful businesses. Ethan also delves into the challenges of navigating the SaaS landscape, the significance of having a structured process in place, and the joy of creating and building products that provide value to users.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Ethan Reeves and His Background02:57 The Evolution of AI and Machine Learning05:36 Founding Orbit Marketing and Its Journey08:43 The Power of Email Marketing and Newsletters11:31 Trust, Authority, and Credibility in Email Marketing14:09 The Role of Personal Stories in Newsletters17:23 Orbit Marketing's Approach to Client Engagement20:13 Building Trust Through Value in Email Communication23:05 The Challenges of Building AI SaaS Products26:02 The Myth of Easy Software Development28:58 The Reality of SaaS Valuations and Market Expectations32:53 Navigating the Vaporware Landscape35:41 Building a Sticky Software Product37:31 The Evolution of OrbitFlows39:22 The Power of Context in AI42:02 Creating Value and Reducing Friction44:28 The Importance of Stickiness in Software46:00 Execution and Vision in Startups49:56 The Pace of Development56:56 Aiming for the Stars: The Future of OrbitFlowsSign up for the newsletter: https://newsletter.theaireport.ai/subscribeJoin the community: https://www.skool.com/the-ai-report-community/about

🔗 Connect with Chris hereIn this podcast episode, Chris Raulf shares his extensive journey in the SEO industry, starting from his early days in 1996 to the present, where he emphasizes the transformative impact of AI on search engine optimization. He introduces the concept of Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and discusses the importance of E-E-A-T principles in creating valuable content. Chris also contrasts white hat and black hat SEO strategies, explains the shift from traditional SEO to content marketing, and highlights the evolving landscape of search engines and content distribution. He addresses the implications of AI on search traffic and shares insights on micro SEO strategies and the role of directories and featured profiles in enhancing online visibility. Finally, Chris reflects on the future of SEO and the importance of continuous learning in a rapidly changing environment, driven by his passion for the field.TakeawaysChris Raulf transitioned into SEO after years in marketing roles.Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) is a new term gaining traction.E-E-A-T principles are crucial for ranking high in search results.White hat SEO strategies comply with Google's guidelines, while black hat strategies do not.The shift from SEO to content marketing is significant in today's landscape.Search engines are evolving to index content from various platforms.AI is changing how search traffic is generated and managed.Micro SEO strategies involve creating superior content using AI insights.Directories can enhance visibility if they rank well in search results.Continuous learning is essential to stay ahead in the rapidly evolving SEO landscape.TitlesThe SEO Journey: From 1996 to TodayGenerative Engine Optimization ExplainedSound bites"I just decided after reading a horoscope.""Search everywhere optimization is the new SEO.""Impressions go up, clicks stay the same."Chapters00:00 Introduction to SEO and Chris Raulf's Journey02:58 Understanding Generative Engine Optimization (GEO)05:52 The Importance of E-E-A-T Principles in SEO08:32 Navigating Domain Authority and Trustworthiness11:18 Content Creation: Quality Over Quantity14:14 Transitioning from SEO to Content Marketing16:54 The Evolution of Search Engines and User Behavior19:29 Search Everywhere Optimization: A New Approach22:22 The Impact of AI on Search Volume and Traffic25:14 Micro SEO Strategies and AI Integration28:27 Creating a Hybrid Content Strategy31:39 Maximizing Content Value Through AI Tools33:02 Understanding Robots.txt and LLM.txt35:42 Leveraging Featured.com for Personal Branding38:58 The Role of Directories in SEO43:12 International Perspectives on SEO Trends47:03 The Future of AI in SEO50:41 Continuous Learning in a Rapidly Evolving Field55:37 Passion for SEO and Its Impact on Career