In this episode, Drew sits down with Mike Adams, Executive Director of Design at JPMorgan Chase. Mike brings nearly two decades of experience leading design inside one of the most complex, highly regulated industries and he’s now wrestling with how AI will reshape design, research, and the enterprise itself.

From his roots in graphic design and animation to his superpower of uniting people to solve big problems, Mike offers a candid take on the risks, opportunities, and the “original moments” designers need to fight for as AI accelerates the status quo.

What you’ll learn in this episode:

• Why designers should worry about AI stealing craft, but also how it frees time for deeper, more original work
• The coming “sea of sameness” and how differentiation, brand, and emotional resonance will matter more than ever
• How AI could finally solve for edge cases and hyper-personalization in industries like finance
• Why artifacts, research, and even stakeholder activation are being redefined by AI agents
• Tactical advice for designers: strengthen communication skills, experiment relentlessly, and lean into the human side of design

Chapters

[00:00] Mike’s origin story: from graphic design and animation to 18 years in finance

[10:00] Craft, sameness, and the “original moment” in the AI age

[20:00] Edge cases, hyper-personalization, and rethinking the role of artifacts

[30:00] Research, agents, and activating insights inside the enterprise

[40:00] Practical advice: communication, experimentation, and staying human

Connect w/ Drew & StealthX

LinkedIn: /drewhburdick

Website: stealthx.co

Connect w/ Mike Adam

LinkedIn: /mikeadam