
Hosted by Alec Crawford · EN

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes Nik Milanović, founder of This Week in FinTech, Stablecon, and General Partner at the FinTech Fund, for a candid conversation on the intersections of AI, fintech, and crypto. Nik shares his journey from aspiring lawyer and Stanford philosophy major to fintech leader, highlighting pivotal experiences at Google Pay and the value of community-driven insight in fast-moving industries. The discussion covers the rise of stablecoins, the importance of machine-readable payments for AI agents, and the ethical implications of rapid technological advancement. Nik emphasizes thoughtful adoption, regulatory caution, and the need to support those economically displaced by automation. The episode concludes with actionable advice for founders, investing insights, and a lighthearted lightning round on everything from Brooklyn tattoos to the impact of fintech newsletters.Summary:Career Evolution: Nik describes his path from law and philosophy into fintech, driven by the potential to create impactful technology outside politics.Stablecoins & FinTech: The conversation explores Stablecon’s mission and the growing relevance of stablecoins for financial services and mainstream adoption.AI & Payments Convergence: Nik highlights how programmable, machine-readable payments will be essential for future AI agents, offering new possibilities but requiring careful governance.Ethical & Regulatory Considerations: The importance of measured regulation and addressing economic displacement is discussed, with parallels drawn to previous tech disruptions.Founder & Investor Insights: Nik shares advice for early-stage founders, focusing on solving specific customer problems and the evolving role of community in fintech innovation.Referenced in this episode:Companies/Organizations:Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.This Week in FintechStableconThe Fintech FundGooglePetalCitiCoastal Community BankCirclePaxosRippleZerohashBooks: Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor FranklMovies: The Social NetworkCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec welcomes back Michael Hind, Distinguished Research Staff Member at IBM. This episode is a special deep dive focused exclusively on the evolving field of AI governance. Michael defines AI governance from both enterprise and societal perspectives, highlighting the challenges of managing risk in rapidly evolving AI systems. He shares insights from his recent research, including the development of the AI Risk Atlas and model risk evaluation tools, and discusses the complexities of testing AI models and the importance of accurate benchmarking. The conversation covers the state of regulation, the intersection of insurance and AI risk, the role of transparency and explainability, and emerging technical solutions like entity tagging in LLMs. Alec and Michael conclude by emphasizing the need for industry-driven governance and enhanced transparency through tools such as Granite Guardian and Benchmark Cards.Summary:Defining AI Governance: Michael Hind explains the dual perspectives of AI governance—enterprise risk management and societal impact—and discusses the need for clear taxonomies.Taxonomies and Risk Evaluation: IBM’s AI Risk Atlas and model risk evaluation tools help organizations identify, test, and monitor relevant AI risks for specific use cases.Regulation and Industry Responsibility: With global regulation slowing, Michael argues for proactive enterprise governance, transparency, and industry benchmarks to fill the gap.Testing, Explainability, and Transparency: The episode explores the limits of model evaluation, the challenge of explainability, and the need for public transparency, including the Stanford Transparency Index.Insurance and Technical Advances: The dialogue addresses how insurance may eventually adapt to AI risk, and highlights new approaches like entity tagging and fault-tolerant generative computing.Companies/Organizations:IBMArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.NISTMITStanford UniversityNotre DameDrainpipe IOOpenAIGoogleCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec sits down with Eric Cook, founder and CEO of Cook Technology Solutions, part of WSI since 2007 and founder and chief mentor at The LinkedBanker, to discuss digital transformation and AI adoption in the banking sector. Eric shares his personal journey from being an “accidental banker” to a leader in digital innovation for community banks, emphasizing the importance of personal branding and leveraging technology for strategic advantage. The conversation covers the evolving role of AI in banking, including practical use cases, the need for robust training, and the critical importance of human oversight in AI-driven decisions. Eric offers insights into helping banks overcome fear and resistance to AI by focusing on business objectives and aligning technology with organizational strategy. The episode concludes with a lightning round, highlighting Eric’s perspectives on industry trends, technology, and personal passions.Summary:Digital Transformation in Banking: Eric Cook shares his transition from traditional banking to digital consulting, underscoring the need for banks to embrace strategic online presence and personal branding.AI Adoption & Training: The discussion highlights the gap between AI usage and formal training in banks, stressing the importance of education, policies, and software guardrails.Risk Management & Ethics: Eric advocates for a “human in the loop” approach, ensuring all AI outputs are critically reviewed for compliance, security, and fairness.Future-Proofing with AI: Banks are encouraged to adopt diverse AI tools and workflows, moving beyond single-platform reliance to maximize innovation and efficiency.Practical Assessment: Eric outlines his company’s approach to AI assessments, focusing on business goals and overcoming the “failure of imagination” in AI strategy development.Companies/Organizations: Cook Technology SolutionsWSIThe LinkedBankerArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.International Franchise AssociationMichigan Bankers AssociationMarketing AI InstituteJP MorganBooks: Think Like a Brand, Not a Bank by Allison Netzer and Liz HighMovies: Blade RunnerCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec sits down with Jesse Anglen, CEO of Ruh.ai, to discuss the rapid transformation of digital labor through AI agents and the profound impact on the modern workforce. Jesse shares his unique journey from the construction industry to leading AI companies, emphasizing how curiosity and self-driven learning fueled his success. The conversation delves into the rise of AI-powered automation, the potential for unprecedented labor disruption, and the ethical responsibilities business leaders face in this new era. Jesse also highlights practical advice for young professionals, stressing the importance of developing empathy, adaptability, and AI management skills as traditional roles evolve. The episode rounds out with a lively lightning round, touching on startup culture, open source innovation, and the ongoing need for lifelong learning in a fast-changing landscape.Summary:Career Evolution: Jesse Anglen’s path from construction to AI leadership showcases the value of adaptability and self-education in tech.AI-Powered Automation: The discussion highlights how Ruh.ai and similar platforms are transforming businesses by deploying digital labor agents.Ethical Concerns: Jesse addresses the risk of massive unemployment and urges proactive ethical considerations as AI adoption accelerates.Future-Proof Skills: Empathy, project management, and AI literacy are key competencies for thriving in an AI-driven economy.Continuous Learning: Lifelong learning and engagement with open source AI communities are essential for staying relevant and competitive.Companies/Organizations:Ruh.aiRapid InnovationArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.OpenAIAnthropicEthereumBooks: The E-Myth by Michael E. GerberPrinciples by Ray DalioMovies: The MatrixBack to the FutureCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com, interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec Crawford sits down with Becky Reed, Chief Operating Officer of BankSocial and co-founder and board chair of Pure IT Credit Union Service Organization, to explore the intersection of innovation, technology, and risk in the credit union sector. Becky shares her career journey from operations to CEO, emphasizing the importance of continuous innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies such as cloud computing, blockchain, and stablecoins. She discusses how credit unions can leverage these advancements to remain relevant, warning of the significant risks of not adapting, including potential revenue loss and deposit outflows. The conversation covers best practices in consumer protection, regulatory compliance, and the convergence of AI and blockchain in finance. Becky also offers thoughtful advice for students entering the workforce and provides candid perspectives in a fun lightning round segment.Summary:Career Innovation: Becky Reed’s journey highlights the shift from traditional operations to technology-driven leadership in credit unions.Blockchain & Stablecoins: The episode details how decentralized finance and stablecoins can disrupt traditional banking models and why credit unions must adapt.Risk of Inaction: Becky stresses that the greatest risk is for credit unions to remain passive, risking lost revenue and deposits as technology evolves rapidly.Regulatory Compliance: She advocates for applying existing consumer protection and privacy regulations to new technologies, ensuring ethical and secure adoption.Humanities in the AI Era: For students and professionals, Becky advises focusing on human-centric skills that AI cannot replicate, emphasizing the importance of adaptability and lifelong learning.Companies/Organizations:BankSocialPure IT Credit Union Service OrganizationArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.Lone Star Credit UnionArlington Federal Credit UnionCircleKatena LabsOpenAIAmazon (AWS)RobinhoodCoinbaseBooks: Credit Unions and DeFi, a Financial Renaissance by Becky ReedMovies: BarbieCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com , interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn.In this episode, Alec speaks with Javier Tordable, CEO and Founder of Pauling.AI, about the transformative potential of AI in drug discovery. Javier shares his journey from mathematics and technology roles at Microsoft and Google to launching Pauling.AI, highlighting the importance of innovation and mentorship in shaping his career. He explains how Pauling.AI aims to automate the process of moving from scientific hypothesis to molecule testing, thereby accelerating and reducing the cost of bringing new medicines to market. The discussion covers the ethical considerations of AI in life sciences, the realistic risks of misuse, and the challenges posed by today’s advanced content generation capabilities. Javier also provides practical advice for pharma CEOs considering AI adoption and reflects on the evolving role of regulators in healthcare and technology.Summary:AI for Drug Discovery: Javier Tordable outlines how Pauling.AI leverages automation and language models to speed up the process of identifying and testing new therapeutics.Career and Mentorship: Javier’s background in mathematics, technology, and leadership at Google informs his approach to building impactful AI solutions in life sciences.Ethical Considerations: The episode addresses the dual-use nature of AI in science, noting both its potential for positive impact and the manageable risks of misuse.Industry Disruption: Javier advises traditional pharma leaders to partner with AI experts rather than attempt to independently build state-of-the-art capabilities.Regulatory Perspective: The conversation highlights the complexity regulators face and suggests global best practices, particularly with reference to the U.S. FDA and China’s accelerated clinical trial environment.Companies/Organizations:Pauling.AIArtificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.GoogleMicrosoftNintendoMeditechSchrodingerFuture HouseEdison ScientificOpenAIFDANetflixWarner BrothersAmazonAppleBooks:Isaac Asimov’s Foundation seriesMovies:The Matrix ReloadedTV Shows: FoundationCopyright © 2025 by Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.In this episode, Alec Crawford welcomes Joe Moss, the COO of January Capital Advisors and conneqtor at conneqtor.org, to the AI Risk-Reward Podcast. Known for his innovative approach and insightful perspectives in the financial advisory space, Joe has garnered a reputation for his forward-thinking strategies and adept use of social media to influence and engage with the financial community. Throughout the episode, Joe shares his experiences, from early lessons learned in the industry to his views on the transformative potential of AI and technology in financial advising. Joe is publishing a book on advisor tech! See information in the show notes, below.TakeawaysLearning from Mistakes in Financial Advising: What not to do as an advisor! Joe Moss discusses how his initial experiences taught him about inefficiencies and poor practices, such as high fees, underutilized technology, and lack of timely client communication, which are more common than one might expect. (Check out fynancial.com for client communication specifically for RIAs.)The Impact of Technology and AI on Financial Advising: Alec and Joe discuss the transformative potential of AI and technology in the financial advising sector. They predict that advisors who do not integrate AI into their practices may struggle to remain competitive. The conversation also touches on the expected consolidation of AI tools and their impact on the industry.Privacy and Security Concerns with AI Tools: The podcast highlights the importance of privacy and security when using AI tools in financial advising. Joe Moss points out the varying levels of data security among different AI tools and stresses the need for due diligence to ensure client data is protected and compliance rules are followed.Strategic Use of Niches and Content Creation in Financial Advising: Joe Moss advises new financial advisors to specialize in a niche to better serve clients and enhance their marketability. Additionally, he emphasizes the role of content creation in building credibility and expertise within a chosen niche, which can be crucial for client acquisition and retention.Human Connection Amidst Technological Advancements: Despite advancements in AI, Joe stresses the value of human-to-human interaction and suggests that the essence of personal connections could become more significant as AI becomes prevalent. FOr example, he mentions his rule of avoiding bots in meetings to maintain genuine interactions, reflecting a broader sentiment about balancing technology use with personal touch in professional settings.References· The Ultimate AdvisorTech Stack for 2025, by Joe Moss https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-AdvisorTech-Stack-2025-Independent-ebook/dp/B0DV5N6ZRC· Tribe of Mentors by Tim Ferriss· https://www.linkedin.com/in/joemoss-xyz/· https://www.skool.com/conneqtor/about· https://www.aicrisk.com

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.In this engaging episode of the AI Risk Reward Podcast, host Alec Crawford and guest Ron Green, co-founder and CTO of Kung Fu AI, delve into the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence and its profound impact across various sectors. They explore groundbreaking advancements like DeepMind's AlphaFold, discuss the ethical challenges and biases in AI, and forecast the future integration of AI technologies in industries such as engineering and healthcare. With insightful anecdotes and expert perspectives, this episode offers listeners a comprehensive understanding of AI's current capabilities and its transformative potential.Summary1. Evolutionary and Adaptive Systems: Ron Green discussed his educational background in computer science and a master's degree focused on evolutionary and adaptive systems, emphasizing genetic algorithms and genetic programming. He highlighted the importance of understanding foundational theoretical concepts in computer science to adapt to technological changes over time.2. AI in Biology - AlphaFold: Ron Green praised Demis Hassabis and his work with DeepMind on AlphaFold, a breakthrough AI technology that predicts protein structures. This advancement is crucial for understanding biological functions and has been considered a grand challenge in biology for decades. AlphaFold's development marked a significant leap in the application of AI to solve complex biological problems.3. AI's Ubiquity in Engineering: Ron Green predicted that AI would become as integral to industries as the internet, affecting fields like mechanical and civil engineering. He mentioned that AI's impact would be broad, transitioning from perceptive and generative phases to more sophisticated applications, including robotics and physical AI.4. Ethical Considerations and Bias in AI: Ron Green shared experiences of facing ethical dilemmas in AI projects, such as refusing to work on weapon-targeting systems. He stressed the importance of addressing biases in AI systems, as they can replicate data biases, potentially leading to unfair outcomes.5. AI's Future and Industry Implications: The discussion touched on the potential risks and benefits of AI, particularly concerning AGI (Artificial General Intelligence) and ASI (Artificial Super Intelligence). Ron Green expressed concerns about alignment with human values and highlighted the current hype cycle in AI, predicting that while there might be fluctuations in interest, the utility of AI ensures its continued relevance.ReferencesBooksThe Selfish Gene by Richard Dawkins: A popular science book discussing genetics and natural selection from the gene's perspective.Demis Hassabis: Co-founder of DeepMind, known for his work on AI and AlphaFold.DeepMind and AlphaFold: A leading AI research lab known for breakthroughs in AI, particularly in protein folding with AlphaFold.The Singularity is Near by Ray Kurzweil: A book exploring the future of technology and AISchools/CompaniesUniversity of Sussex: Known for its research and focus on evolutionary and adaptive systems.University of Texas at Austin: Mentioned in the context of AI and machine learning research.Kung Fu AI: A company co-founded by Ron Green, specializing in AI solutions and strategies https://www.kungfu.aiAI Risk, Inc. Accelerates the adoption of Gen AI safely. They provide a secure enterprise AI platform for banks and other regulated organizations. https://www.aicrisk.comMoviesThe Godfather: A classic film often considered one of the best movies ever made.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole. Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.In this episode, Alec doubles down by speaking to both Kevin Greaney, Founder and CEO and Chris Camacho, Ph.D., Co-Founder and Chief Scientist at Cairn Insights. Listen as they discuss their “user focused AI” and opine on ethical AI and “human in the loop”.1. AI in Digital Communication: Cairn Insights utilizes AI to analyze digital communication such as emails, Slack, and video calls from a psychological standpoint. The goal is to improve communication within teams and organizations by examining patterns, sequences, and reaction times.2. AI and Employment: Chris Camacho discusses the role of AI in augmenting human tasks rather than replacing jobs. AI can handle data organization and repetitive tasks, allowing humans to focus on more complex issues.3. Ethical AI Implementation: Both Kevin and Chris discuss the importance of integrating people into AI processes to ensure ethical implementation. They stress the need for human oversight to prevent biases and ensure AI benefits society, not just technologically but ethically.4. AI Surveillance Concerns: Kevin addresses the potential privacy concerns related to AI surveillance. He emphasizes that Cairn Insights aims to use AI positively, enhancing quality of life and communication efficiency rather than intrusively monitoring individuals.5. AI Regulation and Future Outlook: Kevin predicts a significant shift in AI regulation, emphasizing the need for companies to adopt AI strategies or risk falling behind. He believes that despite potential risks, AI will ultimately benefit society by performing tasks that allow humans to engage in higher-level thinking.ReferencesMovies1. Apollo 13An acclaimed movie about the ill-fated Apollo 13 lunar mission.Link: [Apollo 13 on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112384/)2. The Social NetworkA film about the founding of Facebook.Link: [The Social Network on IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1285016/)Books1. A Life in Leadership by John Whitehead: A book detailing the leadership journey of John Whitehead.2. Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov: A classic science fiction series exploring themes of future societies and technology.Companies1. Cairn Insights A company specializing in AI and digital communication analysis. https://cairninsights.ai/2. AI Risk, Inc. A company providing a turnkey, secure enterprise AI platform for banks and other regulated organizations https://www.aicrisk.com3. Elon Musk (@elonmusk) CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, known for his innovation in electric vehicles and space, and now DOGE.

In the AI Risk Reward podcast, our host, Alec Crawford (@alec06830), Founder and CEO of Artificial Intelligence Risk, Inc. aicrisk.com interviews guests about balancing the risk and reward of Artificial Intelligence for you, your business, and society as a whole.Podcast production and sound engineering by Troutman Street Audio. You can find them on LinkedIn and at troutmanstreetaudio.com. You can hear the difference.This exciting episode features Kodjo Hogan, an esteemed Information Security Risk Executive, as he joins host Alec Crawford on the "AI Risk Reward Podcast." Together, they delve into the transformative realm of artificial intelligence, examining both its promising opportunities and the challenges it presents in the realm of cybersecurity. The conversation offers listeners valuable insights into AI's impact across various industries, from its technical intricacies to its broader societal implications. Through thought-provoking discussions, the episode provides a comprehensive perspective on how AI is reshaping the laSummaryKodjo Hogan emphasizes the importance of focusing on what's important in information security while remaining aware of the surrounding environment, drawing on a parable from Paulo Coelho's "The Alchemist".AI's ability to perform psychological profiling and create personalized phishing scams is identified as a significant risk, highlighting the need for enhanced cybersecurity measures.The episode discusses how regulations, although essential, are often outdated by the time they are implemented, stressing the need for flexible and innovative approaches in cybersecurity.Kodjo Hogan advises financial institutions to leverage generative AI for efficiency gains, like speeding up data analysis, while maintaining caution in its adoption.The discussion touches on the potential of AI to eliminate jobs, suggesting that professionals need to continually upskill and adapt.ReferencesBooks"The Alchemist" by Paulo Coelho."Artificial Intelligence: A Guide to Intelligent Systems" by Michael Negnevitsky."The Phoenix Project: A Novel About IT, DevOps, and Helping Your Business Win" by Gene Kim, Kevin Behr, and George Spafford.MoviesAmadeus.Internet ResourcesTLDR: (https://tldr.tech) - A curated list of current events in technology and more.Wired: (https://www.wired.com) - A source for in-depth articles on technology and cybersecurity news.