Human agency is the force-multiplier for AI | Scott Hanselman, Microsoft
Scott Hanselman, VP of Developer Community at Microsoft, joins the pod to offer his unique perspective on the evolution of technology, share what he heard from developers at Microsoft Build 2025, and discuss the critical role of human agency in a world of AI agents. Scott and Susan explore some of the challenges and opportunities presented by AI-powered automation, emphasizing the importance of AI guided by human decision-making, creativity, and ethical judgement. They contemplate what happens when something breaks and reflect on why context and understanding the deep stack are key to being able to fix it. Watch this episode on YouTube for the full experience as Scott brings in artifacts for some “show and tell” moments.Watch this episode on YouTube >Guest: Scott Hanselman | VP of Developer Community, MicrosoftRelated: Scott and Mark Learn To... Podcast | Hanselman.comRelated: Redefining the Developer Experience with AI and DevOpsGet more innovation insights from Microsoft Azure.Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts.Host: Susan EtlingerThe Leading the Shift podcast is a place for experts to share their insights and opinions. As students of the future of technology, Microsoft values inputs from a diverse set of voices. That said, the opinions and findings of our guests are their own and they may not necessarily reflect Microsoft's own research or positions.
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Software development is an act of empathy | Kilimo
Water is fundamental to our existence, but only a tiny fraction of fresh water on Earth is available to sustain life. How can we become better stewards of this precious resource? In this episode, Susan speaks with Jairo Trad, CEO & Co-Founder of Kilimo, a climate tech company based in Argentina, about how he and his team are using data, AI, and cloud technology to help farmers optimize water use to promote a sustainable future. They discuss what it looks like to earn the trust of and design for farmers working in harsh conditions and remote locations, the role of empathy in product and software development, and how a combination of data, AI and what Jairo calls “common people magic” is helping Kilimo and customers move the needle on one of the world’s most significant challenges.Watch this episode on YouTube >Guest: Jairo Trad | KilimoRelated: See more with Kilimo in Cloud Cultures: ChileRelated: Learn how Kilimo uses Azure AI to help farmers lower water usageGet more innovation insights from Microsoft Azure.Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts.Host: Susan EtlingerThe Leading the Shift podcast is a place for experts to share their insights and opinions. As students of the future of technology, Microsoft values inputs from a diverse set of voices. That said, the opinions and findings of our guests are their own and they may not necessarily reflect Microsoft's own research or positions.
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Can AI make the world of art more accessible? | Art Basel
From cave painters to digital creators, artists continually discover new ways to express themselves and connect. That connection is so important, because some people find art intimidating. And, let’s face it, a lot of people feel the same way about AI. In this episode, Alain Brusch, Global Head of Digital Platforms at Art Basel, shares how this premier international art fair is using cloud and AI technologies to create personalized and user-friendly experiences—like a companion that acts as a personal art concierge guiding people through the fair, and a computer vision feature that delivers detailed information about specific artworks, artists, and galleries in real time. Susan and Alain discuss how technology is making the art fair more accessible and fostering deeper connections between visitors and art, and Alain offers advice for getting started that applies to any industry.Watch this episode on YouTube >Guest: Alain Brusch | Art BaselRelated: Learn more about the Art Basel CompanionGet more innovation insights from Microsoft Azure.Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts.Host: Susan EtlingerThe Leading the Shift podcast is a place for experts to share their insights and opinions. As students of the future of technology, Microsoft values inputs from a diverse set of voices. That said, the opinions and findings of our guests are their own and they may not necessarily reflect Microsoft's own research or positions.
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AI is a board-level discussion | Lopez Research
Maribel Lopez, Founder of Lopez Research, is one of the people you most want in your corner as a technology leader. She’s a trusted advisor to senior executives from startups to the largest global businesses, and has deep expertise in AI, cybersecurity, and customer experience transformation. But beyond her bonafides, Maribel is clear-eyed and practical about technology change, what leaders need to do to be successful, and why. In this episode, Susan and Maribel discuss why she believes the AI platform shift is different, why the data challenge is more meaningful in an AI world, her advice on building a strong technology foundation, and the unprecedented ability we now have to explore the art of the possible.Watch this episode on YouTube >Guest: Maribel Lopez | Lopez ResearchRelated: The AI with Maribel Lopez Podcast | AI with Maribel on YouTubeGet more innovation insights from Microsoft Azure. Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts. Host: Susan EtlingerThe Leading the Shift podcast is a place for experts to share their insights and opinions. As students of the future of technology, Microsoft values inputs from a diverse set of voices. That said, the opinions and findings of our guests are their own and they may not necessarily reflect Microsoft's own research or positions.
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The transformative power of neurodiversity and AI | EY, Neurodiversity Center of Excellence
Great minds think alike—or do they? In this episode, Susan speaks with Hiren Shukla, Global Neurodiversity and Inclusive Value Leader, Ernst & Young LLP, about how neurodiversity—the idea that there is no single “right” way for the brain to function—is a source of compressed innovation, especially as generative AI expands the ways we interact with technology. Hiren discusses the mission of the Neurodiversity Center of Excellence (NCoE) and how his work has intersected with his personal journey. He shares examples of recent projects, from designing more inclusive interview experiences to collaborating with neurodivergent developers on the user experience for Azure AI Foundry. Finally, Hiren shares advice for leaders: to learn about and embrace the innovation potential of neurodiversity: what he calls “the beautiful capacity of thinking differently.”Guest: Hiren Shukla | Ernst & Young LLP, Neurodiversity Center of Excellence (NCoE) Related: EY helps enhance the inclusivity of AI development with Azure AI Get more innovation insights from Microsoft Azure. Discover and follow other Microsoft podcasts. Host: Susan Etlinger The Leading the Shift podcast is a place for experts to share their insights and opinions. As students of the future of technology, Microsoft values inputs from a diverse set of voices. That said, the opinions and findings of our guests are their own and they may not necessarily reflect Microsoft's own research or positions.
The AI platform shift brings immense opportunity, but the road to success isn’t always clear. On Leading the Shift, we talk with leaders in organizations of all kinds about how they’re using data, AI, and cloud technologies to deliver meaningful, trustworthy innovation to their teams, customers, and communities. Guests share how the platform shift is affecting everything from data strategy and customer relationships to organizational structure and culture, to their own lives and career journeys. Join us for conversations about navigating the era of AI, tackling new challenges, and advice for getting started.
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