Ready, Test, Go.

Organizations across all sectors are increasingly exploring with and implementing artificial intelligence, with significant opportunities and complex challenges abound. How should organizations deal with the concerning ethical considerations and the potential for unintended consequences? How can they minimize risk and help ensure that AI systems are developed and deployed responsibly? In this episode, we speak with Nathan Chappell, Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI and founder of Fundraising AI. A leading voice in the application of artificial intelligence for social good, Nathan shares his expert perspective on how nonprofit organizations are navigating the AI landscape with a strong emphasis on ethical practices. He discusses the distinctions between AI usage in for-profit and nonprofit contexts, the vital need for widespread AI literacy and concrete steps organizations can take to cultivate trustworthy and beneficial AI solutions. About the guest: Nathan is the Senior Vice President of DonorSearch AI, where he leads enterprise AI strategies for some of the nation’s most innovative nonprofit organizations. Nathan is the founder of Fundraising.AI, a 6,000-plus member collaborative dedicated to advancing responsible and ethical AI use in fundraising. With over 20 years of nonprofit leadership experience, he has spearheaded multi-billion-dollar campaigns and now focuses on helping mission-driven organizations scale impact through responsible technology. Nathan is also a prolific author and public speaker. He co-authored The Generosity Crisis and Nonprofit AI, and was the first to deliver a TEDx talk on AI and the future of generosity. You can find Nathan’s latest book here: https://www.amazon.com/Nonprofit-Comprehensive-Implementing-Artificial-Intelligence/dp/139431664X/ Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Brands are increasingly recognizing the potential of AR and VR technologies to create immersive experiences that captivate and engage consumers. However, navigating the complexities of these technologies and their implementation presents significant challenges, including device fragmentation, environmental considerations and high consumer expectations. Fostering high quality across these diverse platforms is crucial for brands seeking to deliver seamless and impactful experiences. In this episode, Tom Emrich, a leading expert in AR, VR and wearable technology, discusses the future of spatial computing, including how brands can leverage AR to enhance customer journeys. Drawing from his extensive experience and insights from his book, "The Next Dimension," Tom explores the importance of user-centric design, the role of AI in AR development and the ethical considerations surrounding accessibility and localization. About the guest: Tom Emrich is the author of The Next Dimension, a definitive guide to leveraging augmented reality (AR) for business growth in the era of spatial computing. With over 15 years of experience as a journalist, investor and product leader, Tom is widely recognized as a pioneer in the fields of AR, virtual reality and wearable technology. His book, featured in Forbes, offers a practical roadmap for businesses looking to harness AR’s transformative potential. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

As organizations face increasing pressure to release quickly, launches often comes at the expense of thorough testing. Blind spots in the development process can result in costly errors and a diminished user experience, yet teams often fail to achieve alignment around software testing priorities. Michael Bolton, a renowned expert in software testing, discusses the evolution of digital quality. He introduces the "Four Frames of Testing" to move beyond requirements checklists and uncover real business risks. We also discuss AI's impact on QA, the changing tester role, and questioning "best practices." Michael also shares insights from his upcoming book as well as his blog, in which he advocates for an investigative approach to software testing. About the guest: Michael Bolton is the Lead Consultant at DevelopSense and a recognized expert in software testing with over 30 years of experience. As co-creator of Rapid Software Testing (RST), a methodology focused on skilled and efficient testing under time pressure, Michael has helped countless organizations and individuals optimize their testing processes. He has delivered RST training in over 35 countries and has worked with a wide range of industries, including banking, retail, telecommunications, and startups. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Editing by Ian Lippincott Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

AI's rapid advancement across industries is undeniable, but what about its potential to understand and influence human behavior? Where is the ethical line as businesses fight tooth and nail to gain a competitive edge. Sandra Matz, a computational social scientist and professor, joins the podcast to dig into the nuances of AI's persuasive capabilities and the ethical considerations surrounding its use. Matz discusses the intersection of AI and human psychology, and how AI leverages our digital footprints to predict our personalities, motivations and desires. You can find Sandra's book here: https://store.hbr.org/product/mindmasters-the-data-driven-science-of-predicting-and-changing-human-behavior/10692 About the guest: Sandra Matz is an associate professor at Columbia Business School, specializing in computational social science. Her research explores how psychological characteristics influence real-life outcomes, often using large datasets and AI-driven tools. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

The digital divide between the Global North and the Global South is a growing concern for technology companies and enthusiasts. This divide is particularly evident in how technology is viewed and used, as well as the role it plays in our culture. In this episode, Payal Arora, professor of inclusive AI cultures at Utrecht University, discusses the importance of optimism in the Global South and how it can inspire the development of inclusive tech. She argues that we can learn a lot from the Global South, where citizens use technology to address pressing challenges such as economic inequality and social injustice. About the guest: Payal Arora is a professor of inclusive AI cultures at Utrecht University and the co-founder of FemLab and the inclusive AI Lab. She is also a prolific author with more than 100 journal articles and award-winning books to her name, including her latest, From Pessimism To Promise: Lessons From the Global South on Designing Inclusive Tech. Arora's work has been featured in major media outlets such as Forbes, The New York Times, and The Guardian. You can find Payal’s latest book here: https://mitpress.mit.edu/9780262049306/from-pessimism-to-promise/ Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Generative AI is rapidly changing the way we design and develop applications. But, to create truly effective and engaging enterprise Gen AI-infused solutions, we need to prioritize usability and functional quality. In this episode, Richard H. Miller, a technology advisor, coach and author of the book, UX for Enterprise ChatGPT Solutions, provides some practical guidance for enterprises. Reflecting on findings from his book, Richard shares some tenets for creating engaging, generative AI-based experiences, emphasizing the importance of usability and functional quality along the way. You can find Richard’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Enterprise-ChatGPT-Solutions-practical-enterprise-grade/dp/1835461190 About the guest: Richard H. Miller is a technology advisor and coach guiding startups in emerging technologies across CRM, social networking, and other sectors. He spent 17 years at Oracle, most recently as Senior Director Level Architect specializing in conversational AI and UX design strategy. He also wrote the book UX for Enterprise ChatGPT Solutions. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

The rise of generative AI and large language models created a frenzy of excitement and apprehension. Organizations are eager to harness the potential of AI but face challenges in navigating the hype and establishing realistic expectations for implementation. Many struggle to identify practical use cases and measure the true impact of AI on their business. In this episode, Ben Van Roo provides a grounded perspective on the realities of AI in the enterprise. He discusses the gap between expectation and reality, emphasizing the importance of aligning AI strategies with actual business needs and workflows. Ben also explores the evolving role of human oversight in AI-driven systems and the differences in public and sector perspectives of the technology. About the guest: Ben Van Roo is the CEO and co-founder of Yurts, a company that provides a generative AI integration platform for enterprises, aiming to help people do their best work by improving knowledge management and workflows. Ben’s career bridges AI, national security and policy, including roles as the EVP of national security at Primer AI, VP of data science at Chegg and researcher at RAND collaborating with the Department of Defense. His work spans both the public and private sectors, demonstrating his expertise in building technology solutions that serve critical industries. Ben also contributes to advisory councils, serves on boards and writes about AI on his Substack and for Bloomberg LP. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

A few brief moments can make or break your customer experience. Friction, failures and blind spots in the customer journey can undermine even the best digital products. When harnessed and implemented correctly, a data-driven, customer-centric approach can uncover issues that lead to churn. In this episode, Todd Unger, Chief Experience Officer at the American Medical Association, digs into the nuances and gravity of friction in the customer journey. Discussing themes from his latest book, Todd explains how friction inhibits growth, the importance of addressing technical debt and how to strategically fit the CX operation into the business. About the guest: Todd Unger is a customer experience and marketing leader with a decade of experience focusing on customer-centric digital and business transformation. As Chief Experience Officer at the American Medical Association, he integrates product, marketing, commerce and service to enhance member engagement and advance the organization's mission. He is also the author of the book The 10-Second Customer Journey: The CXO’s playbook for growing and retaining customers in a digital world. You can find his book here: https://www.amazon.com/10-Second-Customer-Journey-retaining-customers/dp/1788605039 Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Digital transformation in healthcare promises improved patient outcomes and streamlined services. But the pace of innovation currently lags behind its potential, slowed by regulatory challenges, a complex healthcare ecosystem and safety concerns. Yet the need for high-quality, consumer-centric digital health solutions is more critical than ever. In this episode, Dr. Liz Kwo explains why a digital revolution might just save the American healthcare system. She offers a compelling perspective on the digital transformation of healthcare and its impact on the five Ps: pioneers, providers, patients, payers and policymakers. She also emphasizes the importance of consumer-driven innovation, proactive patient engagement and equitable access to services and devices. About the guest: Dr. Liz Kwo, MD, MBA, MPH, is a healthcare executive, board director, practicing physician, lecturer and innovator, specializing in scaling international digital health companies. Dr. Kwo is the Chief Commercial Officer at Everly Health and a member of the Mass General Brigham Innovation Growth Board. She is also the author of the book Digital MD: Revolutionizing the Future of Healthcare and host of the DigitalMD Podcast. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Media companies have thrust themselves headlong into the subscription management business as a means of achieving and maintaining profitability. But that approach hasn’t been without its challenges, as everything from the adoption model to revenue streams and subscriber expectations have changed dramatically over the last 10 years. Stewart Frey, a media technology and solutions leader, joins us to discuss the rapidly evolving media market. In this fundamental shift in business, hear how media brands can take a proactive, multi-faceted approach to win over customers, now and in the future. About the guest: Stewart Frey recently served as the VP of Streaming Technology Solutions and Enterprise Master Data Management at WWE. He was instrumental in establishing and leading Centers of Excellence in business intelligence and digital analytics as well as a master data practice. He also led product, engineering, DevOps and streaming operations teams, focusing on innovation and transformation in content distribution. Prior to WWE, Frey spent 17 years at Paramount (formally Viacom), where he served as Vice President of Media & Technology Services and spearheaded strategic transformation initiatives. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Businesses face a critical task in maintaining ethical data practices in the midst of our AI revolution. How can we avoid putting the biases and harms of yesterday into overdrive with bad data that fuels prejudiced AI decisions? Jason Mills of Snowflake joins the podcast to talk about the challenges of reducing bias, ensuring data diversity and the essential role of audits and transparency in creating responsible AI systems. He also touches on how leveraging the power of real-world crowdsourced data and advanced analytics platforms can ultimately produce higher-quality models and products that resonate in the marketplace. About the guest: Jason Mills is a business leader with 30 years of experience delivering innovative technology solutions within Fortune 100 companies and early stage startups. He is currently the VP Solutions Engineering at Snowflake and a member of the Applause board of directors. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

The future of AI is being written every day. Data scientists and engineers must weigh the potential advantages of AI adoption against its considerable risks when applied insufficiently or recklessly. In this episode from Open Data Science Conference East 2024 in Boston, Josh Poduska of Applause reflects on key insights gleaned from the show, including the emergence of AI as a dominant force in data science and the challenges of adoption and governance. Explore trends, risks and the transformative potential of AI in shaping industries and societies worldwide. About the guest: Josh Poduska, a client partner and AI strategist at Applause, focuses on ensuring the safe and effective implementation of AI technologies through rigorous testing and data creation. With a background spanning leadership roles at companies like Domino Data Lab, Hewlett Packard Enterprise and IBM, Josh offers a wealth of expertise in data science, AI, machine learning and statistics. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

The rapid pace of AI evolution and the rush to use it as a business differentiator challenges ethics-minded engineers to act quickly and decisively to enforce substantive change. In this podcast episode from ODSC East in Boston, Rishu Gandhi of Wells Fargo discusses some of the challenges in building AI-infused digital products, including integrating Responsible AI into business and development practices. About the guest: Rishu Gandhi is a Senior Data Engineer in Machine Learning & AI - Cybersecurity at Wells Fargo. She believes that data and AI will be the architects of our digital future, transforming industries and reshaping our world. Transitioning from chemical engineering to coding, her journey has been a fusion of curiosity and persistence. Gandhi previously worked as an engineer at DuPont and Agilent Technologies, learning and addressing the challenges in the chemical domain. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Humans use digital products. While AI and automation have made great strides in the last few years in accelerating tasks that people would otherwise manage, the human perspective is just as important as ever in building and validating digital products. In a job market that seems to increasingly devalue that human perspective, some QA professionals argue it’s time to reprioritize the power of people in software. Mark Kalet, a quality assurance leader, joins the podcast to discuss how people move the needle to ultimately help realize business goals in a way that systems cannot. While humans introduce unique variables in software development and the business world, they still play a vital role in delivering high-quality digital experiences. About the guest: With extensive experience implementing QA processes and building teams, Mark Kalet offers a unique perspective of digital quality strategy, including driving growth with new technologies, improving performance and increasing profitability. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Over the first full year of the Ready, Test, Go. podcast, we’ve been privileged to welcome expert guests across a variety of disciplines. As organizations grapple with the multi-faceted challenge of crafting a comprehensive approach to digital quality, these experts provided insights that can give dev, test and product professionals an edge. Let’s listen back to some selected snippets from past Ready, Test, Go. episodes to provide a high-level overview of digital quality strategies. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Success is less a strike of lighting than a commitment to organizational excellence. Enabling greatness means alleviating unnecessary challenges, which sometimes means pumping the brakes to unravel tangles and inefficiencies, even — and especially — in times of fierce competition and economic uncertainty. Gene Kim has spent years researching the habits of successful organizations. He joins the Ready, Test, Go. podcast to discuss some of the findings in his latest book, including the concepts of slowification, simplification, and amplification. About the guest: Gene Kim is a renowned bestselling author, researcher, speaker and CTO. His latest book, co-written with Steven Spear called Wiring the Winning Organization, published in November. You can find a link to that book here: https://myresources.itrevolution.com/id006657164/Wiring-the-Winning-Organization Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

We are the subjects of data — but, too often, fail to understand or influence how it is used. Humans must make trade-offs to enjoy the luxury of digital products while also maintaining a sense of decency and privacy. So, what does that mean for the companies who collect this data and the AI that interprets it? Author and professor Wendy Wong joins the podcast to discuss why consumers must take an active role in their data sharing choices, and how organizations should adapt to the needs of these users over the long term. About the guest: Wendy Wong is the Professor of Political Science and Principal's Research Chair at the University of British Columbia. She is the author of the book, We, the Data: Human Rights in the Digital Age, which published in October. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Payment transactions are anything but simple -- yet users expect them to be intuitive, reliable and friction-free. How do businesses manage this task in a global marketplace fraught with local payment preferences and challenges? Zeb Winzenried, Director of Testing Services in Payments at Applause, joins the podcast to explain how organizations can navigate this complicated space. About the guest: Zeb Winzenried manages the testing request delivery with a global team, helping big companies validate their payment flows. Zeb’s business background and love of technology helps him navigate the challenging and unique payment testing landscape. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Irene Pereyra, discusses concepts from her book, Universal Principles of UX: 100 Timeless Strategies to Create Positive Interactions between People and Technology, to shed light on how digital products can delight or frustrate users. You can find Irene’s book here: https://www.amazon.com/Universal-Principles-Strategies-Interactions-Technology/dp/0760378045 About the guest: For more than 10 years, Irene Pereyra has led program management and UX initiatives as the co-founder of Anton and Irene, a Brooklyn-based design firm. Irene has lectured at more than 100 design conferences and educational institutions, and is currently the co-chair of the Interaction Design program at Harbour Space University. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.

Software testing is important, but why exactly do we do it? And how should we examine our digital quality efforts over time? These are necessary questions that many QA organizations don’t ask. James Mortlock, Lead UAT Test Manager at Vodafone, joins the podcast to discuss what should go into a software testing strategy — and why. We also talk about delivering better value with digital quality initiatives, and why efficiency ultimately benefits everybody. You can also see James in a recent webinar he did with Applause called How Vodafone Shifted User Acceptance Testing Left, which you can find here: https://www.applause.com/resources/webinars/how-vodafone-shifted-uat-left About the guest: James Mortlock is the Lead UAT Test Manager at Vodafone. He previously held roles in digital automation, analytics implementation and served as a Scrum Master. Hosted by David Carty Produced by David Carty, Samsu Sallah and Joe Stella Edited by Samsu Sallah and Megan Gawlik Graphic design by Karley Searles To contact the producers, please email us at podcasts@applause.com.