Podcast
The Global Discussion
Hosted by The Global Discussion · EN
Discussions with Creatives, Leaders, and Thinkers
25episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Agentic Organizations, Human First, AI Second with Karen Boswell Ep 279 - The Global Discussion
4w ago00:18:34Tap to summarizeKaren Boswell, Global CEO of Consulting, Experience, and Performance at M+C Saatchi Group, speaks with Host Simon Hodgkins in this episode.00:00 – Global CEO, Karen Boswell01:10 – Career Journey: From Design to Transformation02:40 – Why Humans Must Lead AI04:15 – What Is an Agentic Organization?07:10 – Making AI Work in Business10:20 – Thinking Fast vs Future Back Strategy12:45 – Brand vs Advertising: Key Differences15:30 – Designing for Change and the Future18:00 – Final Thoughts and Where to ConnectWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
Transcribe →An AI Literacy Audit For Senior Leadership with Simon Hodgkins Ep 278 - The Global Discussion
Apr 2300:11:16Tap to summarizeSimon Hodgkins, Founder of The Global Discussion and international business strategist, speaks about the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence adoption in Ireland. Drawing insights from the AI Island 2026 report, Simon explores how organizations are transitioning from experimentation to operational deployment and what leadership teams must do to scale AI responsibly.00:00 – Introduction to AI in Ireland01:05 – The AI Island 2026 Report Explained02:15 – AI Adoption Across Irish Organizations03:45 – Efficiency and ROI Driving AI Investment05:10 – Integration Challenges and Legacy Systems06:45 – The AI Skills and Leadership Literacy Gap08:00 – Governance and Responsible AI Use09:20 – The Strategic Outlook for AI in 2026---Watch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
Transcribe →Should You Stop Treating AI Like a Teammate? with Simon Hodgkins Ep 277 - The Global Discussion
Apr 2300:15:25Tap to summarizeSimon Hodgkins, Founder of The Global Discussion and international business leader, shares a thought-provoking solo perspective in this episode exploring one of the biggest misconceptions about artificial intelligence.Is AI really like a person, or are we framing the conversation incorrectly?Simon argues that treating AI as if it were human can lead to strategic mistakes in leadership, governance, and decision-making. Instead, AI should be understood as infrastructure: a probabilistic system that must be engineered, evaluated, and governed responsibly.In this episode, Simon explores:• Why the language we use about AI matters• The danger of humanizing technology• The “interface illusion” behind conversational AI• Leadership responsibility and governance in AI adoption• How marketers and organizations should rethink AI workflowsThis episode offers a clear, strategic perspective for leaders navigating the rapidly evolving AI landscape.---00:00 – Introduction: AI Isn’t People01:07 – Why Language Shapes AI Strategy02:49 – Understanding Probabilistic AI Systems03:51 – Blame vs Design: Leadership Framing05:00 – The Risk of Treating AI as a Co-Worker10:04 – The Interface Illusion Explained12:10 – Governance, Accountability, and AI15:10 – Final Thoughts: Strategic Clarity in the AI Era---Watch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
Transcribe →Engagement, AI, and the Future of Education with Amanda Slavin Ep 276 - The Global Discussion
Mar 2600:25:03Tap to summarizeAmanda Slavin, Founder of The Future Frequency and an engagement strategist working at the intersection of education, technology, and AI, speaks with Host Simon Hodgkins in this episode.Amanda shares insights from her journey across education, hospitality, marketing, and technology, and explains how engagement frameworks can reshape how we learn and interact with information.The conversation explores AI passports, learner data ownership, the future of education, and why human skills like curiosity and reflection may become the most valuable abilities in an AI-driven world.00:00 – Introduction Amanda Slavin01:32 – Amanda’s Journey: Education, Restaurants, and Engagement03:10 – What Is The Future Frequency?05:05 – Personalizing Content Through Engagement Levels06:48 – AI Passports and Personalized Learning Systems09:15 – Data Ownership and Learner Sovereignty13:40 – Human Connection in a Digital Learning World17:20 – Challenges and Breakthroughs in Engagement20:05 – Brands, Influencers, and the Biggest Classrooms21:20 – AI, Jobs, and the Future of Human Skills23:05 – Teaching Humans to Be Human Again24:05 – Where to Connect with Amanda SlavinWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
Transcribe →Nine Fintech Trends to Watch and The AI Impact with Simon Hodgkins Ep 275 - The Global Discussion
Mar 1900:07:37Tap to summarizeSimon Hodgkins, Host of The Global Discussion podcast, explores the rapidly evolving FinTech sector in this episode, highlighting the key trends shaping the future of financial services.From the growing role of artificial intelligence to the increasing importance of regulation, compliance, and trust, Simon outlines nine important areas that financial leaders, innovators, and technology professionals should be paying attention to.As FinTech firms evolve from disruptors into core players within the financial ecosystem, responsible AI, regulatory clarity, and strong governance are becoming essential for long-term success.00:00 – Introduction to FinTech Trends01:10 – FinTech’s Evolution from Disruption to Infrastructure02:20 – Why AI Is Central to Financial Innovation03:45 – AI Applications in Financial Services05:10 – Ethical and Risk Considerations in AI07:00 – Regulation and the EU AI Act09:00 – Why Compliance Teams Matter in FinTech11:00 – Scale, Trust, and Competitive Advantage13:10 – The Future of FinTech and Responsible GrowthWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
Transcribe →Why AI Is Exposing How We Really Work with Simon Hodgkins Ep 274 - The Global Discussion
Mar 1500:13:56Tap to summarizeSimon Hodgkins, Host of The Global Discussion, explores the idea that AI is not simply a tool upgrade but a true work redesign moment, reshaping productivity, leadership, and value creation.00:00 – Introduction: AI as a Work Redesign Moment01:12 – Why Productivity Was Never About Speed03:05 – AI as Exposure: Questioning Performative Work05:48 – Where the Biggest Productivity Gains Are Happening08:32 – From Output to Impact: What Really Matters11:20 – Knowledge Work Is Being Repriced14:10 – Management as the Hidden Bottleneck17:45 – Lower Cognitive Load and the Future of WorkWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
Transcribe →Strategic Signals & Why Everything Is Speeding Up with Simon Hodgkins Ep 273 - The Global Discussion
Feb 2600:15:12Tap to summarizeSimon Hodgkins, Host of The Global Discussion, explores “The Great Acceleration” in this solo episode, unpacking the key strategic themes emerging from ARK Invest’s Big Ideas 2026 report. He examines how artificial intelligence, robotics, blockchain, and energy systems are converging to reshape economic structures, compress timelines, and redefine competitive advantage.00:00 – Introduction: The Great Acceleration01:15 – Why ARK’s Big Ideas 2026 Is a Strategic Signal03:20 – AI as a General Purpose Technology05:45 – The AI Consumer Operating System08:30 – Productivity Shifts & Knowledge Work10:55 – Robotics, Energy & The Physical Economy12:40 – Blockchain and Software-Defined Finance14:10 – The Real Risk: Organizational Inertia & Final ThoughtsWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfzyvca6EVlEJ80I4nWeb ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussionOthers ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and FacebookJoin the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
Transcribe →Why AI Adoption Matters More Than AI Hype with Simon Hodgkins Ep 272 - The Global Discussion
Feb 1900:13:01Tap to summarizeIn this episode of The Global Discussion, Host Simon Hodgkins steps away from the traditional interview format to explore a pivotal shift underway in the world of artificial intelligence.The first act of AI was loud. This second act is potentially far more powerful.Drawing on real-world trends and patterns across technology cycles, Simon makes the case that we have already moved beyond the infrastructure arms race. The spotlight is no longer solely on chips, data centers, and model size. Instead, the focus has shifted to something more consequential: adoption.This episode challenges listeners to think differently about what progress in AI really looks like, and why the most transformative changes rarely make headlines.00:00 – Introduction: A Different Kind of Episode00:40 – The First Act of AI: Chips, Compute & Capital02:01 – Why Adoption Creates Long-Term Value03:14 – Behavior Change vs. Technical Change05:25 – AI in Advertising: Human Judgment Repositioned07:40 – Security & Investigations: Smarter, Faster Decisions08:55 – Enterprise Software & Durable Advantage10:00 – The Cultural Shift & The Hard QuestionsWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
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Innovation That Moves the Needle with Omaid Hiwaizi Ep 271 - The Global Discussion
Jan 2300:40:30Tap to summarizeSimon Hodgkins speaks with Omaid Hiwaizi on this episode of The Global Discussion. Omaid Hiwaizi has been busy navigating the intersection of creativity, technology, and human behavior. His story, which he shared on The Global Discussion podcast, is shaped by migration, curiosity, and a relentless desire to work on ideas that matter. It is also the story of someone who refuses to view innovation as an abstract notion. For Omaid, technology is valuable only when it moves the needle for real people in the real world.00:00 - Introduction to the episode and guest Omaid Hiwaizi00:33 - From Iraq to the UK, immigrant story and early life01:14 - Maths, avant-garde design at i-D, and starting a first agency at 2402:04 - Building HHM and Crayon, then moving into WPP, Sapient, and Blippar03:24 - Working on emerging tech and complex propositions at Future Positive06:36 - Making complexity compelling, L cells, GLP-1, and consumer storytelling12:52 - Lessons from Blippar, Covent Garden AR campaign, and real business KPIs24:44 - AI’s true impact, disappearing junior roles, no-code, and careers of the futureWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
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Challenger Brands, Standout Stories and Theatre with David Quinn Ep 270 - The Global Discussion
Jan 900:40:31Tap to summarizeDavid Quinn brings a mix of theatre, advertising insight, and cultural curiosity that feels both refreshing and grounded on this episode of The Global Discussion. As founder and Business Director of Bloom, the Dublin-based creative and strategic agency, David has spent decades helping challenger brands punch above their weight. His work with Brady Family Ham is the example most people know, but the thinking behind it is what really sets the tone for his approach.David traced the path that led him from the underground theatre scene in Galway to becoming a respected voice in Irish advertising. The journey is anything but linear, and that is what makes it compelling.00:44 - Bloom Advertising and building Brady Family Ham into a market leader01:15 - Punchbag Theatre, found spaces, and the origins of "Eclipsed."07:23 - Magdalene Laundries, national reaction, and Tommy Tiernan's early days08:41 - Founding Bloom, Bloomsday inspiration, and working with challenger brands17:18 - How theatre and advertising intersect: big ideas, pitching, and performance17:46 - "A Modest Proposal," homelessness, and savage satire in modern Ireland26:32 - From cave paintings to AI: the future of media, IAPI, and advice for young creativesWatch or Listen to The Global DiscussionSpotify ► https://open.spotify.com/show/3QdMqfz...Web ► https://www.theglobaldiscussion.comYouTube ► / @theglobaldiscussion Others ► LinkedIn, X, Instagram, and Facebook Join the newsletter via the website for updates on new episodes.
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