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UK's First Academic AI Leader: AI will always need human creativity in order to exist
A deep dive into the evolving landscape of AI and the current push against genuine innovation, from engineering to the arts.
Professor Shushma Patel is the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Artificial Intelligence at De Montfort University (DMU) in the UK. As a prominent figure in computing, engineering, and media education, Shushma is the first person in the UK to hold a senior university leadership position dedicated solely to AI.
With nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, working as a lecturer, researcher, and academic leader, Shushma is a passionate advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, particularly in promoting women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and leadership.
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) – Preview
(00:04:05) – How Shushma's overseeing a unique faculty mergers of Computing, Engineering and Media with Arts, Design & Humanities
(00:14:56) – Tim and Shushma discuss the importance of being outliers and how it impacted their careers in AI
(00:32:15) – Tim and Shusham debate whether there is a need for AI degrees and courses
(00:38:54) – The biggest problem in the world of AI is a lack of people's understanding and real-world applications beyond the hype
(00:44:48) – Is AI really replacing jobs, or is it "fake layoffs"?
(00:50:48) – What does a successful deployment of AI models look like in the real world and business applications?
(00:59:28) – AI's negative impact on families, younger generations and their learning skills, and why educators and parents need to act
(01:10:47) – How corporations manipulate consumer perceptions and pricing using AI
(01:17:22) – How the tech sector pushes toxic and negative narratives against students and young people, painting a hopeless picture for their futures
(01:31:04) – Why supporting diversity, disability and mental health is critical for better innovation that actually serves people
Episode Notes & Citations:
https://ceoretort.com/podcast/guest/2025/12/15/shushma-patel-ai-will-always-need-human-creativity-in-order-to-exist/
Support our independence by becoming a member:
https://CEORetort.com/Support
Check out our new YouTube channel, The CEO Retort Extra: youtube.com/@ceoretortextra
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- Saily eSIM – Stay connected worldwide. Use code CEORetort5 for 5% off 10GB & 20GB plans: https://ceoretort.com/saily
Subscribe to The CEO Retort:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8
Connect with Tim El-Sheikh:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh
View all episodes
By AthmetricA deep dive into the evolving landscape of AI and the current push against genuine innovation, from engineering to the arts.
Professor Shushma Patel is the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Artificial Intelligence at De Montfort University (DMU) in the UK. As a prominent figure in computing, engineering, and media education, Shushma is the first person in the UK to hold a senior university leadership position dedicated solely to AI.
With nearly 30 years of experience in higher education, working as a lecturer, researcher, and academic leader, Shushma is a passionate advocate for equality, diversity, and inclusion, particularly in promoting women in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and leadership.
Timestamps:
(00:00:00) – Preview
(00:04:05) – How Shushma's overseeing a unique faculty mergers of Computing, Engineering and Media with Arts, Design & Humanities
(00:14:56) – Tim and Shushma discuss the importance of being outliers and how it impacted their careers in AI
(00:32:15) – Tim and Shusham debate whether there is a need for AI degrees and courses
(00:38:54) – The biggest problem in the world of AI is a lack of people's understanding and real-world applications beyond the hype
(00:44:48) – Is AI really replacing jobs, or is it "fake layoffs"?
(00:50:48) – What does a successful deployment of AI models look like in the real world and business applications?
(00:59:28) – AI's negative impact on families, younger generations and their learning skills, and why educators and parents need to act
(01:10:47) – How corporations manipulate consumer perceptions and pricing using AI
(01:17:22) – How the tech sector pushes toxic and negative narratives against students and young people, painting a hopeless picture for their futures
(01:31:04) – Why supporting diversity, disability and mental health is critical for better innovation that actually serves people
Episode Notes & Citations:
https://ceoretort.com/podcast/guest/2025/12/15/shushma-patel-ai-will-always-need-human-creativity-in-order-to-exist/
Support our independence by becoming a member:
https://CEORetort.com/Support
Check out our new YouTube channel, The CEO Retort Extra: youtube.com/@ceoretortextra
Sponsors & Offers:
- Brain.fm – Peak your productivity on demand with Neuromusic. Get an extended 30-day free trial without limits. Go to Brain.fm/CEOR
- Ground News – See how media bias affects news coverage. Get 40% off top tier: https://check.ground.news/CEORetort
- Saily eSIM – Stay connected worldwide. Use code CEORetort5 for 5% off 10GB & 20GB plans: https://ceoretort.com/saily
Subscribe to The CEO Retort:
- YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@CEORetort
- Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ceo-retort/id1767132889
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5ytJdrSK0yGL2OZfTitnp8
Connect with Tim El-Sheikh:
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/timelsheikh