Is your AI strategy at risk because of outdated data governance? In this bonus episode of The AI Social Club, Joe Aoun breaks down why governance isn’t just a compliance checkbox—but the backbone of trustworthy, scalable AI.

Joe Aoun, data strategy leader and governance advocate, joins Margot to explore the often misunderstood but mission-critical role of data governance in the era of generative AI. Why do so many companies still get it wrong? And how can you move from rigid control to agile enablement—without losing trust, quality, or speed?

If you’re building AI responsibly, this is a must-listen.

🔹 You will learn:

• The real difference between data governance and data enablement—and why both matter
• Why traditional governance models fail in AI-driven environments
• How to create governance that’s usable, flexible, and doesn’t kill innovation
• What “AI governance” really means (hint: it’s not just a rebrand)
• The biggest operational mistakes companies make with data governance
• How to gamify governance and drive adoption through literacy and transparency

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction  

01:15 What is data governance vs data enablement?  

03:04 Governance as creating safe spaces for innovation  

05:30 Why overregulation kills productivity  

07:20 AI governance: evolution or distraction?  

09:45 Why most governance policies fail  

11:36 Operationalizing governance: roles, KPIs & tools  

13:22 Three scenarios of GenAI adoption in companies  

16:07 Agile, iterative governance in action  

17:45 How to get employees to follow the rules  

18:50 Closing thoughts: why governance is leadership

🎧 Subscribe to The AI Social Club Podcast for more conversations with AI & data leaders

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/

-

You liked this episode? Share it around you, like it on the podcasting platform, give us feedback !

You would like to be a sponsor of the AI Social Club? Contact us on LinkedIn

We are on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaisocialclub/

Find out more about The AI Social Club on our website: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is your company truly ready for AI? In this bonus episode of The AI Social Club, Margot Bletterie sits down with Joe Aout to explore what “AI readiness” really means and why so many businesses are jumping on the AI bandwagon without a strategy.

They break down a practical framework to assess if your company is genuinely prepared to integrate artificial intelligence, not just technologically, but culturally and operationally.

If you’re considering launching AI initiatives or scaling existing ones, this episode is packed with clarity and great advice.

We discuss:

🔹 How to assess AI readiness across 4 pillars: strategy, data, technology, and governance

🔹 Why “AI for the sake of AI” fails and how to avoid it

🔹 Common pitfalls when moving from AI pilots to scalable solutions

🔹 Real examples of bad vs. effective AI implementation

🔹 Why strong use cases and executive alignment matter more than flashy tools

🔹 The right sequence from proof of concept to proof of value to scale

Whether you’re an AI lead, data strategist, or business decision-maker, this is your playbook to make AI actually work in your company.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction

01:15 What does it mean to be "ready" for AI?

03:00 The 4 pillar framework for AI readiness

07:45 When AI is the wrong tool for the job

10:51 Starting small with POC, POV and scale strategy

13:37 Should you rush into AI or slow down

15:41 How to sequence use cases for compounding value

18:12 From pilot phase to real AI impact

🎧 Subscribe to The AI Social Club Podcast for more conversations with AI & data leaders

🔗 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club

🔗 Podcast: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

-

You liked this episode? Share it around you, like it on the podcasting platform, give us feedback !

You would like to be a sponsor of the AI Social Club? Contact us on LinkedIn

We are on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaisocialclub/

Find out more about The AI Social Club on our website: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Future of Banking Is AI-Driven - Insights from HSBC’s Former CDAO Bart Pietruszka

Banking is one of the most advanced sectors in AI, but what’s really happening behind the scenes? In this episode of The AI Social Club, Margot Bletterie speaks with Bart Pietruszka, former Chief Data & Analytics Officer at HSBC, to unpack the real state of AI in financial services.

From hyperpersonalized customer experiences to ROI-driven AI tools, Bart shares what’s working, what’s failing, and why traditional banks must rethink how they organize around AI, fast.

Whether you’re in banking, data, or tech leadership, this episode is a must.

You’ll learn:

• Why 70% of AI initiatives still fail in banking (and how to fix that)
• How to ensure every AI project has measurable ROI and business value
• Why the Chief AI Officer may soon replace the traditional CDAO
• What hyperpersonalization in banking could really look like (think Netflix-style experiences)
• The strategic risks of legacy systems and poor data for GenAI adoption

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction  

02:00 Real-world AI use cases in banking  

06:45 Why AI projects fail and how to build for ROI  

09:10 Balancing compliance with innovation  

15:13 The rise of Chief AI Officers  

21:00 What hyperpersonalized banking could look like

-

🎧 Subscribe to The AI Social Club Podcast for more conversations with AI & data leaders

🔗 Know more about Bart : https://www.linkedin.com/in/bart-p22/

🔗 Know more about The AI Social Club: https://www.thesocialclub.ai

Listen to us on Youtube and on your favorite podcast platform:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7d3XmTgIhXqim1r63a1yWH

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-social-club/id1793045703

If you found this episode valuable, like, share, and comment. It helps us reach more people!

-

You liked this episode? Share it around you, like it on the podcasting platform, give us feedback !

You would like to be a sponsor of the AI Social Club? Contact us on LinkedIn

We are on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaisocialclub/

Find out more about The AI Social Club on our website: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this 15-minute special, Margot Bletterie and Joseph Aoun dive into a hot debate:

Do you really need clean data to get started with AI?

From data audits and governance to generative AI’s tolerance for messy inputs, we unpack the reality behind the “garbage in, garbage out” rule and why waiting for perfect data might hold you back.

If you’re a business leader, data strategist, or AI curious mind wondering how to start smart with imperfect data, this conversation is for you.

🔍 Key topics:

– Data quality vs. speed of execution

– How generative AI changes the game

– Practical advice for launching AI projects today

– Why metadata and context matter more than ever

👥 No interview - just an honest, high-level discussion between two data leaders.

💡 Start where you are. But make sure you know where your data stands.

🔗 Know more about The AI Social Club: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

🎧 Listen to the podcast on your favorite platforms:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7d3XmTgIhXqim1r63a1yWH

- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-social-club/id1793045703

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theAIsocialclub

*Subscribe to this channel for weekly episodes on AI, education, and innovation*

If you like this content, comment, like and share it around you, it helps us reach more people !

-

You liked this episode? Share it around you, like it on the podcasting platform, give us feedback !

You would like to be a sponsor of the AI Social Club? Contact us on LinkedIn

We are on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaisocialclub/

Find out more about The AI Social Club on our website: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How is GenAI transforming the university experience for students and educators? What should professors do to prepare the next generation of thinkers and leaders in the age of artificial intelligence?

In this episode of The AI Social Club, I sit down with Dr Hind Salih, professor and AI expert, to explore the urgent shifts happening in university education due to the rise of generative AI (GenAI).

We discuss:

🔹 How Gen Z students are using GenAI tools like ChatGPT

🔹 The risks of relying too much on AI in academic settings

🔹 Why critical thinking must be redefined in the AI era

🔹 The evolving role of professors in a tech-driven classroom

🔹 Real strategies to prepare university students for an AI-powered world

Whether you’re a university professor, academic leader, student, or just curious about the future of education with AI, this episode is packed with insights you can act on today.

-

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction & why GenAI in education matters

02:30 The shift from teaching to co-learning

09:10 What needs to change in university classrooms

15:00 The danger of shortcut learning with AI

24:00 Practical advice for professors using AI in class

30:00 Advices for students, professors and university leadership

🎓 Learn more about Dr Hind Salih: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-hind-salih-02a57932/

🔗 Know more about The AI Social Club: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

🎧 Listen to the podcast on your favorite platforms:

- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/7d3XmTgIhXqim1r63a1yWH

- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-social-club/id1793045703

-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@theAIsocialclub

*Subscribe to this channel for weekly episodes on AI, education, and innovation*

If you like this content, comment, like and share it around you, it helps us reach more people !

-

You liked this episode? Share it around you, like it on the podcasting platform, give us feedback !

You would like to be a sponsor of the AI Social Club? Contact us on LinkedIn

We are on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaisocialclub/

Find out more about The AI Social Club on our website: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Today, I’m joined once again by someone who left a strong mark in our first conversation: Chada.

In that first episode, we talk about AI in sustainability and energy innovation. But this time, we go deeper.

and we talk about two topics that matter to both of us:

🔹 What it really takes to build a tech startup in the UAE and the region

🔹 And the challenges - and power - of being a woman in tech and entrepreneurship here

From the role of networks to the reality of fundraising, Chada shares unfiltered advice, sharp insights, and grounded experience.

Whether you’re an entrepreneur in AI - or in any other field - or a woman wondering if now’s the time to make your move, this episode will give you a boost.

-

You liked this episode? Share it around you, like it on the podcasting platform, give us feedback !

You would like to be a sponsor of the AI Social Club? Contact us on LinkedIn

We are on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaisocialclub/

Find out more about The AI Social Club on our website: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, I’m joined by Gilles G. Vidal, a visionary creative director with over 30 years of experience in music, television, and branded content.

Together we discussed questions around:

• Is AI going to replace my creativity?
• How can AI generated content feels human and authentic?
• How to cope with copyright issues?
• Is it challenging for his client to accept AI generated content?

He is passionated and he taught himself how to prompt, spent nights testing tools, and learned to speak the “language” of each AI model, always testing and learning new features.

It is still a challenge, technology evolves really fast, but he will explain to us how he managed to stay up to date.

Each and everything insight in this discussion is great to take !

You can take a look at the work he has done and that we have discussed during the podcast:

• Fully AI generated video campaign for Mubadala (without touching a camera): https://vimeo.com/1050723565/59ee79d02c. Amazing, right ?
• GG Showreel: https://vimeo.com/1079784926/0b874aa471
• His portfolio: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1w2BiZBCpvNFDzKxxb0HjK4oPWGnnP2Y-/view

If you’re still on the fence about AI in creativity, this episode will shift your perspective.

-

You liked this episode? Share it around you, like it on the podcasting platform, give us feedback !

You would like to be a sponsor of the AI Social Club? Contact us on LinkedIn

We are on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaisocialclub/

Find out more about The AI Social Club on our website: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Let's dive into AI, sustainability, and energy innovation with a powerhouse guest: Chada El Islam Benmahcene

She’s a tech entrepreneur, investor, and advocate for innovation, leading the charge in AI-driven energy solutions.

As the founder of a Venture Studio, she’s not just funding startups—she’s building them from scratch, turning advanced research into real businesses.

In this discussion, we talk about:

- How to collaborate with universities and researchers to create impactful startups

- Why big corporations struggle to innovate—and how startups fill the gap

- How AI is revolutionizing energy efficiency

- What it will take for the Middle East to lead in AI-powered sustainability

She’s been named one of the most influential women in Dubai, and trust me—she will grab your attention.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction & Chada's journey

03:17 What is a venture studio?

07:00 From university research to MVPs

15:33 Partnering with corporates for innovation

23:17 Why AI is key to energy efficiency

26:54 3 startups bridging AI & sustainability

37:18 Middle East innovation in green tech?

43:03 Conclusion & Chada's vision for the future

You liked this episode? Share it around you and give us 5 stars on your favorite platform !

-

You liked this episode? Share it around you, like it on the podcasting platform, give us feedback !

You would like to be a sponsor of the AI Social Club? Contact us on LinkedIn

We are on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaisocialclub/

Find out more about The AI Social Club on our website: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inside Marketplaces: Data, Product & Real Value

In this episode, I sit down with Christophe who is the former Chief Product Officer of PropertyFinder.

He shared his fascinating journey from the early days of the internet to leading AI-driven product strategies in HR tech and real estate.

We discussed:

🔹 The role of the Chief Product Officer, a position that not widely known in the GCC—when do we need it, and why?

🔹 How AI is transforming marketplaces

🔹 The challenges of trust, lead qualification, and data-driven decision-making in this field

🔹 The promising future of PropTech, smart cities, and predictive AI

If you work in marketplaces, real estate, or HR tech, don't miss this episode !

This is exactly the kind of conversation I had in mind when launching this podcast: real-life use cases, with experts who make complex topics accessible.

And Christophe does it brilliantly.

You liked this episode? You would like to support us?

Share it around you and give us 5 stars, it helps a lot !

-

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction & Christophe's journey

03:57 Understanding the role of a CPO

07:16 Data-Driven product strategy

08:01 Marketplace mechanics & Success metrics

16:04 Using Data to improve agent performance

28:49 Product innovation: Super Agent & Pricing models

34:26 Proptech trends & Smart City challenges

52:58 Conclusion & key takeaways

-

You liked this episode? Share it around you, like it on the podcasting platform, give us feedback !

You would like to be a sponsor of the AI Social Club? Contact us on LinkedIn

We are on:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-ai-social-club/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theaisocialclub/

Find out more about The AI Social Club on our website: https://www.thesocialclub.ai/

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Transforming Marketplaces with Data & AI

From Europe to the Middle East.

From job boards to real estate.

For over 20 years, Christophe de Rassenfosse has been rethinking how people interact with marketplaces across Legaltech, HRtech, and Proptech.

Former Chief Product Officer at Property Finder, he’s a true product master, passionate about tech, innovation, and performance and he will be the guest of the next episode

We will dive into:

🔷 How to use data to drive marketplace performance

🔷 What “customer obsession” looks like at scale

🔷 Why we should focus on value, not hype

Subscribe to stay updated !

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.