Tom Davenport has been watching technology transformations for over 30 years, and he's not joining the AI hype wagon. As a distinguished professor at Babson College and author of 27+ books, Tom brings hard-earned wisdom to the AI conversation that's refreshingly realistic. While Silicon Valley promises instant transformation and a job apocalypse, Tom reveals why real AI success requires the unglamorous work of process redesign, patient leadership, and years of persistent effort.
In this eye-opening conversation, Tom debunks the myth that AI will eliminate 50% of white-collar jobs while sharing practical insights on how organizations can actually capture value from AI. From his "super tech leader" framework to the critical mistake of not planning for entry-level hiring, Tom provides a clear and realistic vision of AI's true potential and timeline.
You'll Learn:
Why AI job replacement predictions have been consistently wrong for decades
How to organize AI initiatives across departments
How to use process mining and redesign to unlock real AI value in your organization
Why citizen development and "vibe coding" are democratizing technology creation
The critical role "boring," entry-level work plays in developing future expertise
Which workflows every business should consider automating first
Why persistence and patience matter more than speed in AI transformation
Subscribe to Expert Intelligence so you don't miss any future conversations — these industry leaders separate signal from noise in this rapidly evolving technological landscape.
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Layoffs Aren't the Problem. Employment Strategy Is. — with Brea Starmer
Brea Starmer helped build the future of work out of necessity. As founder of Lions and Tigers, she's unlocking millions in economic opportunity for independent workers, particularly women navigating caregiving responsibilities. When Brea was laid off seven months pregnant, facing workplace discrimination, and having to choose between career ambition and family flexibility, she discovered that the traditional employment system simply wasn't designed for people like her.
What started as personal survival—self-funding her own maternity leave by billing 60 hours a week for 13 weeks—evolved into a movement reshaping how enterprises think about workforce planning. Brea's vision of "no more layoffs" is a practical blueprint for using blended teams of employees and independent workers to build more resilient, flexible organizations that can adapt to rapid change without devastating human costs.
You'll Learn:
How workplace discrimination during pregnancy led to building a multi-million dollar company serving independent workers
Why an "everything's a project" mindset creates more security than traditional employment in today's economy
The critical first question to ask when transitioning from employee to independent work: "Who do you want to serve?"
Why enterprises are struggling with change management
How to leverage your existing network when making the leap to independent work
Subscribe to the Expert Intelligence podcast today so you don't miss future conversations with industry leaders at the forefront of technological transformation.
The future is here, just not equally distributed.
Join best-selling author and seasoned business leader Paul Estes in ”Expert Intelligence,” a bi-weekly podcast that focuses on the human-centric, AI-enabled approach to work, shedding light on key trends like the freelance revolution, the rise of generative AI and the changing dynamics of the workplace.
With over 20 years of leadership experience at giants like Microsoft, Dell, Amazon, and numerous venture-based startups, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and a unique perspective. Whether you’re a business leader seeking guidance in this new era or an employee looking for inspiration and insights to navigate complex changes, this podcast is your go-to resource. Paul and his guests offer practical advice and thoughtful analysis to help you understand and adapt to these shifts, ensuring a healthy and productive journey in your professional life.
Tune in to ”Expert Intelligence” every other week for engaging, conversational, and insightful discussions that will empower you to stay ahead in the ever-changing world of work.
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