Think breaking into AI is all about mastering the latest tools or writing perfect prompts? Not even close.

In this episode, Rita Sargsyan shares the one thing that's helped her stand out in AI: if you're relying only on online courses, you’re missing out.

As director of the IDEAS program, she breaks down how to build real skills, connect with learning communities and industry mentors, and navigate the challenges of tech.

Plus, Rita unpacks the tension between AI and creatives, offering her perspective as someone who bridges the gap between improving community access to AI and VC funding.

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Rita's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ritasargsyan

- AI On The Lot 2025: https://www.aionthelot.com/

- IDEAS Program: https://www.joinai.la/ideas

- AI LA Events: https://lu.ma/aila-events

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

___

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - Rita Sargsyan’s Path: From Grassroots to AI Leader

01:09 - How AI Is Reaching Underserved Communities

03:17 - Starting in AI Without Coding or Tech Experience

05:30 - Proven Confidence Tips for Women in Tech

09:59 - Free AI Training: Who Qualifies and How to Apply

12:15 - Why Human Connection is Key to Learning AI

16:00 - How Creatives Can Survive in an AI-Driven Job Market

21:57 - Networking That Opens Real Career Doors

24:57 - How to Connect with Rita Sargsyan and AI LA

If the system keeps erasing you, maybe it was never meant to see you.

This week, we go deep with Verena Weber -AI consultant, former Amazon data scientist, and founder of Women in Tech- to unpack the hidden architecture of exclusion in AI. From microaggressions and confidence myths to systems that literally ignore female users, Verena reveals why so many women feel like they’re falling behind, even when they’re doing everything “right.”

We talk strategic self-promotion (without selling your soul), rebuilding confidence from the inside out, and how to thrive in spaces never built with you in mind. Plus: vibe coding, DEI theater, and why real innovation starts by redesigning power, not just products.

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Verena Weber's website: https://www.verenaweber.de/

- Verena's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/verena-weber-134178b9/

- Women in Tech Newsletter: https://verenas-newsletter-63558b.beehiiv.com/

- Verena's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viaviawe/

- UNESCO. (n.d.). Gender equality in science, technology and innovation. https://www.interface-eu.org/publications/ai-gender-gap

- Siddhi Pal, Ruggero M. Lazzaroni & Paula Mendoza, “AI’s Missing Link: The Gender Gap in the Talent Pool,” Interface, Oct. 10, 2024. https://interface-eu.org/publications/ai-gender-gap

- Diversity wins: How inclusion matters: https://www.mckinsey.com/featured-insights/diversity-and-inclusion/diversity-wins-how-inclusion-matters

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Creativity & Robots:

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - Verena Weber's Background

01:04 - Why Tech and AI Workplaces Exclude Women

02:08 - The Cost of Gender-Blind Tech

03:22 - Barriers to Confidence in Women

09:00 - AI Enablement for Non-Technical Roles

10:40 - Concerns About Vibe Coding

13:12 - DEI Pushback and the Business Case for Inclusion

15:53 - Rethinking “One-Size-Fits-All” Work Culture

18:04 - Final Advice and Where to Follow Verena

In this conversation, Jacques Potts discusses his mission to bring AI education to underserved communities, emphasizing the importance of accessibility and creativity in tech learning. He shares his personal journey growing up in Chicago and how it shapes his approach to education. Jacques highlights the need for engaging teaching strategies that resonate with youth, integrating cultural elements into tech education, and the significance of discussing AI ethics. He also provides insights for parents on how to navigate AI tools with their children, encouraging hands-on exploration and personalized learning.

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Connnect with Jacques: https://linktr.ee/jackybang1212

- Jacques' LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jacquespotts/

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

___

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - Empowering Underserved Communities with AI Education

02:59 - The Impact of Chicago's East Side on Jacques' Journey

05:56 - Engaging Youth in AI: Lessons Learned

09:01 - Integrating Culture into Tech Education

12:05 - Innovative Uses of AI by Youth

15:04 - Navigating AI Ethics and Responsibilities

18:02 - Keeping the Excitement Alive in Education

21:05 - Guiding Parents in the AI Landscape

What if the industry doors don't open for you? You knock them down (and AI tools can help). In this episode of Creativity & Robots, Juan interviews Rachel Leventhal, a pioneering creator and technologist who has been at the forefront of media and technology since the 90s, from Nickelodeon CD-ROMs to AI-powered filmmaking at Backlot AI. We talk about AI collaboration, breaking into filmmaking, and the mindset that fuels innovation.

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Backlot AI: https://linktr.ee/bklt.ai

- Rachel's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rachel-leventhal-7600854/

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

🤖 Additional Credits:

- Dheeraj M4JOR from Pixabay (sfx)

- Universfield from Pixabay (sfx)

- 'Subscribe' animation by Vecteezy

___

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - The Evolution of Media and Technology

06:52 - Navigating New Technologies in Creativity

13:58 - Empowerment Through Technology and Collaboration

19:02 - Future Tools for Creative Expression

Anger, curiosity, and fear are understandable reactions to AI disrupting how we work—and threatening our livelihoods. But can creative professionals really afford to ignore it?

Machine Cinema co-founders Fred Grinstein and Minh Do join me for a candid conversation on how AI is reshaping filmmaking, changing the way we collaborate, and the human skill AI just can’t replace (and why that matters).

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Machine Cinema: https://machinecinema.ai/

- Fred's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/fred-grinstein/

- Minh Do: https://minhdo.com/

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

___

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - From Indie to Blockbusters: How AI Is Reshaping Filmmaking

00:41 - Meet Fred Grinstein and Minh Doh: Building the Future of AI Filmmaking

01:28 - Hollywood vs. AI: Discover the Real Industry Shift

05:12 - Starting AI Film? Your Beginner's Guide

10:51 - Knowing When to Cut Your Losses With AI Tools

12:49 - AI Film Legality: IP & Attribution

18:41 - The Making of the AI Wonderland Movie: How They Did It

22:42 - The Evolving Role of Producers in AI Projects

27:26 - Preparing for the Future of AI Filmmaking

32:46 - How to Join Machine Cinema's Community

Is AI fundamentally altering how we learn, create, and think? Are we sharpening our minds, or inadvertently outsourcing critical thinking to robots? This week, we delve into the complex intersection of AI and education with Kyle-Prescott Ogunbase, an AI educator and digital strategist from Newsela and Superhuman.

Imagine a classroom where students, deeply engaged with AI tools, are rapidly coding applications, generating digital art, and even building their own video games. Kyle's AI-powered S.T.E.A.M. workshops demonstrate the potential for AI to transform students into active creators. But is this transformation coming at a cost?

We explore the critical question: Is AI fostering genuine intelligence, or are we risking the creation of 'button-pushing drones' dependent on machine output? WILL ANYONE THINK OF THE CHILDREN?

Takeaways

- AI is empowering students to become creators, not just consumers.

- Workshops introduce kids to cutting-edge technology and its possibilities.

- Critical thinking is essential in an AI-driven world.

- AI can be a tool for both creativity and misinformation.

- Access to technology is not equal; information deserts exist.

- Community leaders play a crucial role in educating others about AI.

- Open source tools can help bridge the gap in access to technology.

- AI democratizes access to power but does not ensure equality.

- Intentional development of educational tools is necessary.

- Parents should engage with AI tools to better educate their children.

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Kyle's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ogunbase/

- Agbara Life Inc: https://www.linkedin.com/company/agbaralife/

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

___

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Kyle-Prescott Ogunbase: Building AI for Global Impact

01:11 – The Future of AI in Education: From Users to Creators

07:50 – Is AI Killing Critical Thinking? What We’re Losing & Gaining

16:02 – Who Will Control the AI-Driven Economy?

20:18 – From AI Deserts to AI Access: Who’s Left Behind?

27:02 – AI Won’t Fix Inequality—But It Might Level the Playing Field

32:25 – How to Teach Kids AI: Simple Strategies for Parents & Teachers

35:40 – Work with Kyle: Collaborate on AI Education & Inclusion

#generativeAI #eLearning #learninganddevelopment

AI is transforming marketing, but most teams are either overwhelmed or winging it. 💩

In this episode, AI marketing expert Catherine Toms shares what’s actually working, what’s just hype, and how to stay ahead without burning out. Plus, the best AI tools, the biggest mistakes marketers make, and why great strategy still beats great tech.

Our guest Catherine Toms is an AI marketing consultant, and speaker focused on helping teams use AI strategically. With 25+ years in marketing, she’s trained over 10,000 marketers across 20+ countries. She specializes in AI literacy, workflow optimization, and marketing innovation—helping businesses drive growth while avoiding AI hype. Follow her work:

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinetoms/

https://aiinmarketing.co/level-1-ai-in-marketing/

Catherine Toms is an AI marketing educator, consultant, and speaker focused on helping teams use AI strategically rather than chaotically. With 25+ years in marketing, she’s trained over 10,000 marketers across 20+ countries and advises top brands like Twitter, Danone, and General Assembly. She specializes in AI literacy, workflow optimization, and marketing innovation—helping businesses drive growth while avoiding AI hype.

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Dove's AI Prompt Guide for Inclusive Images: https://www.dove.com/au/stories/campaigns/keep-beauty-real.html

- NotebookLLM: https://notebooklm.google.com/

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity and dive into the ethics and realities of the technology. For experts and beginners alike.

___

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - Who’s Catherine Toms?

02:17 - The Evolution of AI in Marketing

06:02 - How Smart Marketers Use AI

11:14 - Choosing the Right AI Tools for You

14:17 - Are Marketers Afraid of AI?

19:52 - Geographical Differences in AI Adoption

21:49 - AI Bias Is Real. Can We Fix It?

28:42 - Connect With Catherine Toms

#generativeAI #AImarketing

Want to see real use cases of AI remaking HR workflows? HR expert and founder of AIxHR, Kari Naimon, explains how small businesses and HR teams can save time, streamline repetitive tasks, and boost productivity with generative AI. Learn how to craft effective prompts, create quick wins, and collaborate with IT to integrate AI into your processes. With actionable steps you can implement today, this episode shows how AI can improve workflows and help your team focus on what matters most.

🤖 Additional Яesources:

- Kari Naimon's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kari-naimon/

- AIxHR: http://aixhr.ai

🤖 Connect with Juan Faisal:

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/akajuanfaisal/

- Newsletter: https://juanfaisal.substack.com/

- Website: https://juanfaisal.com/

🤖 About Our Guest: Kari Naimon:

Kari Naimon, founder of AixHR, brings 20+ years of HR expertise from Amazon, Toyota, and Qualcomm to the forefront of AI innovation. Her mission at AixHR is to demystify AI, creating transformative “AI-Aha” moments that empower professionals to fearlessly embrace the technology and elevate their work. Contact Kari at kari@aixhr.ai.

🤖 Creativity & Robots: “A love letter to human creativity, with AI as the stage prop.”

Host Juan Faisal interviews creative professionals to discuss how generative AI influences our creative process, work, and media consumption. Join us to learn how AI can enhance your creativity, and dive into the ethics and realities of the tech. For experts and beginners alike.

___

🤖 Timestamps:

00:00 - Kari Naimon: AI and HR Expert

01:04 - Why Kari Quit Corporate to Lead AI Innovation

01:58 - The Costliest AI Mistake Leaders Make (How to Avoid It)

03:53 - How to Get IT Teams Onboard with Your AI Strategy

06:58 - Training Teams in AI: ROI-Driven Strategies That Work

09:45 - Keep AI Transparent: The Case for Human Oversight

12:36 - Early AI Wins: Build Trust in the Process

17:36 - Kari’s Favorite AI Tools and Time-Saving Tips

20:57 - Stop Leaks: How to Protect Sensitive Data While Using AI at Work

23:17 - Freelancers’ Guide to Starting with AI Today

25:55 - AI Slowdown: Hidden Opportunities for Your Business

27:18 - Where to Learn More From Kari Naimon