Air travel just got a little more automated, thanks to leaders like Southwest’s Angela Marano, Exec Advisor, VP of AI and Data Transformation, and Nicola Smith, Senior AI Programs Advisor. From avoiding delays to improving customer service, AI is reshaping operations on the ground and in the air—and Angela and Nicola are making sure it’s done with care for the employees and customers who make Southwest thrive. They discuss active inference, demystifying tech for customers, and solving human pain points first.

Key Insights & Timestamps

Guest Spotlight

Angela Marano ● LinkedIn

Angela is known for her unwavering commitment to improvement and innovation, which has fueled her accomplishments over the years at Southwest Airlines. As an Exec Advisor and Vice President, AI and Data Transformation, she provides executive leadership for several enterprise-wide disciplines and high-performing teams. Angela has also held leadership roles in both Technology and Corporate Strategy. Prior to Southwest, she worked for Apple, Nissan Motor Corporation, and JC Penney.

She has been an active advocate for advancing women in the workplace, participating in initiatives such as the Texas Women’s Foundation | Women’s Leadership Institute since 2019, and serving as an executive sponsor for an employee resource group focused on empowering women and fostering an inclusive, supportive environment across the organization.

Nicola Smith ● LinkedIn

Nicola Smith is a strategic innovation leader who helps organizations navigate the intersection of customer experience, brand strategy, and emerging technologies. As Senior AI Programs Advisor at Southwest, she develops practical solutions that amplify human potential through thoughtful technology implementation.

With nearly two decades of experience driving measurable business growth across agencies and technology companies, Nicola excels at translating complex concepts into actionable strategies. With certifications in AI for Business Strategy from MIT and specialized training in leadership management, Nicola brings a unique perspective to organizations navigating digital transformation. Her ability to anticipate trends, develop innovative strategies, and lead cross-functional collaboration makes her a valuable asset in today's rapidly evolving business landscape.

Resources Mentioned:

Southwest Airlines | Southwest.com

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💡ABOUT US

Prompting Potential is your front-row seat to the future of innovation from the inside out. This series dives into the world of intrapreneurs—bold innovators inside organizations—who are challenging norms, integrating AI, and driving transformation.

Each episode, host Roger Rohatgi, Chief AI Officer at Chai, (LinkedIn) sits down with Fortune 500 execs, creative technologists, and influential leaders turning internal challenges into breakthrough impact. From rethinking leadership to reshaping the future of work, these conversations show how creativity, courage, and smart strategy—paired with AI—can unlock extraordinary progress.

Whether you're navigating AI adoption or championing change inside your company, Prompting Potential is your guide to unlocking the impact within. https://www.heychai.ai/podcast

“We are no longer in a universe where incremental change is enough to guarantee business growth.” Google’s Director of Creative Works Abigail Posner has spent her career linking the human experience to advancing technology. With AI presenting new challenges and opportunities to the business world, Abigail encourages professionals across industries to embrace emerging tech with a focus on partnership between AI and human creativity. Talking points include Google’s anthropological tech research, asking the right questions of generative AI, and how companies are getting it wrong with AI integrations.

Key Insights & Timestamps:

Guest Spotlight

Abigail Posner:

Abigail builds belief. A Harvard-trained anthropologist turned tech strategist, she integrates different worlds (anthropology & technology, purpose & profit, creativity & analysis) to help people “feel” the brand, company, the technology or idea —so it lands, moves, and sells. At Google, she directed AI-driven brand creative strategies for YouTube's top advertisers, drove cultural transformation for 4,000+ salespeople, and pioneered "Humanizing Digital"—an anthropology-led thought leadership series.

She translates ambition into adoption for C-suite leaders navigating AI, digital transformation, and reinvention. Beyond her professional roles, she serves on the ENDI Corp Board, TheSocialArchitects' advisory board, and is a founding member of the Fashion in a Conscious Future Foundation.

Recognized with the UN Media Impact Award and featured in leading publications including The New York Times, Forbes, and Fast Company, she shares insights through global speaking engagements and her podcast "Human Code."

Because understanding isn't enough—people don't act until they believe.

Key Takeaways:

Resources Mentioned:

Abigail’s latest article with anthropologist Tom Maschio, Abigail’s interview with Maye Musk, Human Code podcast on Spotify, Riding the Waves of Culture book,

Connect with Abigail:

For More Information:

Learn more about Chai at HeyChai.ai. Connect with host Roger Rohatgi on LinkedIn.

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Step into the world of intrapreneurs - innovators inside organizations - who ignite inspiration, fuel innovation, and unleash imagination against all odds. Prompting Potential spotlights bold individuals and influential ideas at the intersection of leadership, technology, and transformation. From integrating AI to driving meaningful change, these insiders aren’t just advancing progress - they’re embodying impact. Tune in to hear how they’ve turned internal challenges into industry-defining breakthroughs, prompting the true potential in people, teams, and technologies.

In each episode, host Roger Rohatgi, Chief AI Officer of Chai, speaks with Fortune 500 executives and forward-thinking leaders who are redefining how businesses and individuals innovate. Hear how they use strategy, creativity, and AI-driven ingenuity to challenge the status quo and create lasting change - and get ready to prompt your potential.

Learn more at heychai.ai/podcast.