Can technology make us more human?
In this episode, author, entrepreneur and AI thinker Faisal Hoque unpacks his new book Transcend: Unlocking Humanity in the Age of AI.

From his OPEN and CARE frameworks to the idea of a true human-centric AI, Faisal shows leaders how to balance innovation with risk—and why optimism is non-negotiable.

Episode Highlights

• How a cancer-survivor story sparked Faisal’s AI research journey

• The OPEN framework (Outline, Partner, Experiment, Navigate) for rapid but responsible adoption

• The CARE framework and why “Catastrophize” isn’t pessimistic—it’s protection

• “AI as partner” vs. “AI as tool” and the ethics of digital twins

• Small bets, quick experiments and building an innovation portfolio

• Debunking Terminator & Matrix fears with real-world guardrails

Quotes from the Episode

“We have to be radically optimistic—otherwise the human species ends.”
“AI isn’t just another tool; it’s a partner that forces us to decide what part of our humanity we want to keep.”

Chapters
00:00 Welcome & Faisal’s Personal Story
05:12 Why “Transcend” – The Human-Centric Promise of AI
14:40 Demystifying the OPEN Framework
24:05 CARE: Catastrophize, Assess, Regulate, Exit
34:18 Partnering with AI vs. Replacing Humans
42:30 Risks, Terminator Myths & Real-World Guardrails
49:55 Practical Next Steps for Businesses
55:10 Where to Find Faisal + Closing Thoughts

Where to Find the Faisal Hoque:

• You can start with his website: https://faisalhoque.com

• Or just follow him on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/faisalhoque/

• Get a good read, all the links to Transcend are on the book's website: https://nextchapter.org/transcend/

  
  

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Music credit: "Modern Situations" by Unicorn Heads