AI didn’t decide to reshape work. People did. And that distinction matters more than we like to admit. Dr. Rumman Chowdhury says the real story isn’t about machines replacing humans. It’s about the choices people in power are making—and the agency the rest of us still have. In today’s episode, Jessi Hempel and Rumman unpack what responsible AI really means, why fear is the wrong default reaction, and how workers, leaders, and everyday users can shape a better technological future.

Rumman Chowdhury is a leading expert in responsible artificial intelligence and algorithmic accountability. She previously led responsible AI efforts at Accenture, served on Twitter’s product team before it became X, and advised governments in the U.S. and U.K. She is the co-founder of Humane Intelligence, an organization focused on independent AI auditing and public participation in technology oversight.

Rumman and Jessi discuss:

Why AI isn’t “happening to us”—and how leadership decisions shape its impact
What responsible AI looks like inside real companies and products
The rise and fall of trust in Big Tech and Silicon Valley
Algorithmic bias, content moderation, and the limits of internal oversight
The root of why we fear AI
The difference between techno-optimism and techno-solutionism
How individuals can reclaim agency by understanding and engaging with AI

If you want to hear more from Dr. Rumman Chowdhury listen to her recent Ted Talk here.

Follow Dr. Rumman Chowdhury on LinkedIn

Follow Jessi Hempel on LinkedIn

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