The STEM Career Coach

In this fascinating episode, we sit down with Joel Albertson & Suresh Subawickrama from Iris Engineering to explore how gaming technology, AI, and immersive visualization are revolutionizing the world of energy and engineering.What started as a hydrogen and renewables company quickly evolved into something groundbreaking. As Joel recalls, “We had to show our stakeholders what it looked like… a lot of people might say, okay, solar, wind, not in my backyard, right? Or they might say, hey, that just looks too complicated.” The solution? Bringing engineering to life with Unreal Engine, allowing clients to walk through designs in photorealistic 3D before they’re even built.Suresh shares how their work took an unexpected turn: “People started requesting models just to see what things would look like, but then it became repeat work. Then they wanted extra functionality—‘What can we do with light? What can we do with training? What if we could operate before we operate?’” What followed was a game-changing shift in how complex energy projects are designed, tested, and trained for using interactive simulations.In this episode, you’ll witness the future of engineering:🎮 Virtual walkthroughs where engineers can “play it like a video game” before breaking ground⚡ AI-powered simulations that cut costs and optimize efficiency🔧 Physics-based training tools that let workers test real-world scenarios—before stepping foot on siteJoel puts it best: “Just imagine—you’re an oil and gas company, you’ve designed an offshore facility, and at 50% design review, you can actually walk through it. You can touch equipment, test workflows, and see every detail as if you were there.”It’s engineering like you’ve never seen before—more immersive, more efficient, and more intuitive than ever. Don't miss this deep dive into how Iris Engineering is reshaping the industry with technology that feels straight out of a video game—but with real-world impact.

In this episode, Daniel Darancou, Chief Designer at PACCAR, joins DataScienceDonnie to dive into the evolution of vehicle design, sustainability, and the impact of cutting-edge technology on the automotive industry. With a career spanning global markets—from California’s car culture to shaping electric and autonomous vehicles in China—Daniel shares his unique perspective on where the industry is headed."Computers can generate designs, but they lack soul. I want to bring the soul back into the equation."Join us as we explore the balance between artistry and engineering in automotive design, the rise of EVs, and what it takes to create vehicles that are both innovative and timeless.

Jean-Bernard Boura, Founder and Managing Director of Pen Aviation, shares his incredible journey from private jets to ground breaking innovations in the drone industry. In this episode, he discusses how his team pivoted during COVID and why certification, safety, and automation are essential for the future of drones and logistics.

In this episode of the AI to Z Podcast, Donnie Maclary hosts Arvinder Gujral, Chief Revenue Officer at EnableX, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping the sales landscape. Drawing from over 25 years of global experience, Arvinder delves into the transformative role of AI in lead generation, revenue optimization, and personalized customer engagement.

He shares insights into how AI tools like Humantic AI and Clari are streamlining processes, while emphasizing why human connections remain central to successful business strategies. As Arvinder aptly notes, “The real value of AI lies in freeing humans to focus on high-value, strategic interactions.”

Discover how businesses can strike a balance between leveraging cutting-edge AI tools and maintaining the personal touch essential for building trust and relationships. Whether you're a sales professional, business leader, or tech enthusiast, this episode is packed with actionable insights to help you navigate the evolving intersection of technology and sales.

In this episode of AI to Z, Anna Frazzetto sits down with Christine Sandman Stone, author of The Modern Management Mentor. With a pragmatic and deeply insightful approach, Christine tackles the realities of today’s leadership challenges—from navigating hybrid teams to managing AI’s influence on team dynamics.

Christine reveals, “Managers are not born, they are built,” as she explains her hands-on methods to shorten the steep learning curve for new managers. She shares innovative tools like the “Goldilocks Workload Triage” and anecdotes that have gone viral among modern parents and leaders alike.

Discover how her work empowers leaders to move beyond outdated theories and into practical, results-driven strategies. Whether you’re stepping into management or refreshing your leadership toolkit, Christine offers actionable advice like, “Snap out of autopilot. People are different; your style must be too.”

Don’t miss the discussion on AI’s transformative role in leadership and how to maintain the human touch in talent acquisition and mentorship. This episode is packed with golden nuggets for anyone serious about becoming a world-class leader.

In this episode of the AI to Z Podcast, host Anna Frazzetto interviews Casey Jacox, a sales and leadership coach, to discuss the impact of AI on sales and leadership. They explore the balance between leveraging technology and maintaining essential skills like curiosity, humility, and preparation.

Casey highlights the importance of practice in sales, stating, “In sports, we practice. In theatre, we practice. Yet in sales, we like to wing it—which makes no sense to me.” He explains how AI can be a tool to enhance learning and streamline processes but warns, “If you’re just hitting buttons and letting AI do the work for you, it’s worthless. Customers deserve better.”

This conversation examines the risks of relying on AI as a shortcut and offers insights into how to maintain effective sales techniques in a technology-driven environment.

In this episode, host Anna Frazzetto interviews Bane Hunter about the opportunities and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence. Hunter explains AI’s immediate impact across industries like healthcare, finance, and retail, where it’s improving diagnostics, enhancing customer interactions, and even enabling dynamic pricing. However, Hunter warns that “AI is much worse than a nuclear weapon because it can be insidious, fast, and impact us in unimaginable ways.” He highlights potential risks in using AI for hiring, where models may unintentionally reinforce biases, and stresses the need for ethical guidelines and international cooperation to manage these risks.

Hunter also addresses security concerns, categorizing risks as internal (model manipulation), external (hacking), and AI-driven risks that could produce unintended outputs without human oversight. He argues that for AI to benefit society, we need robust governance, continuous monitoring, and public awareness of its capabilities and limitations. This conversation offers a comprehensive look at the complex role of AI, underscoring the importance of balancing innovation with ethical responsibility.

In this episode of AI to Z, host Anna Frazzetto sits down with Susan Donohue, Chief of Staff and Chief Program Officer at TechServe Alliance, to explore her journey and dedication to advancing women in STEM. Susan shares how TechServe Alliance has evolved to support IT and engineering staffing firms, enhance operational efficiency, and advocate for gender equality in tech. “There’s no secret sauce in staffing; it really comes down to execution—what you do better, how your people work, and how you make your processes more efficient,” Susan explains, offering insights on leadership and the future of staffing.

From creating the Executive Women’s Luncheon to her commitment to community-driven STEM education, Susan discusses actionable strategies for making STEM careers accessible and appealing to young talent. This episode is a must-watch for anyone passionate about diversity in tech, women’s leadership, and empowering the next generation.

In this episode of AI to Z, Matt Beane, Assistant Professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara, and author of The Skill Code, dives into how AI and robotics are transforming the future of work and human skill development. With AI technologies like ChatGPT rapidly advancing, Beane explains that "10% of jobs are already exposed to basic AI tools," but warns that this is just the beginning. He predicts that as AI applications evolve, up to "46% of job tasks" could be impacted, requiring people to rethink how they build and maintain skills.

Beane introduces the "Three Cs"—challenge, complexity, and connection—as essential components for adapting to this new reality. He highlights how human skills thrive when individuals work "near their limits," engage with complex problems, and build strong, trust-based connections. However, as AI systems become more efficient, he emphasizes a growing concern: skill inequality. "Skill inequality is on its way to becoming the new job inequality," Beane states, as fewer opportunities for hands-on learning may leave some workers behind.

The conversation also touches on how AI could disrupt mentorship and learning in the workplace, with Beane noting, "An expert surgeon today may not need a junior resident during robotic surgery, cutting them out of essential learning experiences." He shares insights on how organizations can balance productivity gains with skill development, urging leaders to ask the critical question: "How can we get our productivity and build skills for humans at the same time?"

Tune in to hear Matt Beane’s thought-provoking perspectives on the future of work, the risks of automation, and how we can ensure that human abilities continue to evolve alongside intelligent machines.

In this episode of AI to Z, Anna Frazzetto is joined by Swathi Young, Chief Technology Officer at Allwyn Corporation, to explore how AI is driving transformative change in healthcare. Swathi draws on her extensive experience with machine learning in cancer research to illustrate AI’s potential to improve patient outcomes. She describes a project where her team developed algorithms to automate the analysis of CT scans for lung cancer patients, revealing that "visceral fat in the L3 vertebrae can significantly impact post-surgery recovery," a discovery that helped surgeons optimize treatment plans.

Swathi also shares a structured, five-step approach for taking AI from concept to implementation, starting with identifying business problems and ensuring the right capabilities are in place. She emphasizes the importance of building “responsible AI” by considering potential biases in the data. “AI amplifies human biases,” she cautions, using examples from her work to highlight the need for diverse perspectives in AI development.

Throughout the conversation, Swathi underscores the need to approach AI with a focus on real-world impact and accountability, making the episode a must-listen for leaders interested in harnessing AI for meaningful change in healthcare and beyond.