The Only Constant

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom sits down with Katrin Gülden Le Maire, senior advisor, philosopher, and business thinker, for a sharp, deep dive into ethics, AI, and the limits of truth. Together they untangle the buzzwords, the confusion, and the hidden tensions shaping today’s corporate decisions:

• Why “ethics” in business isn’t what most people think
• How philosophical reflection, not just compliance, shapes real strategy
• Why leadership often rushes into AI adoption without asking the right foundational questions
• How governance becomes culture, and why ethical direction must come top-down
• Why ethics isn’t just about what you do - but also about what you refuse to do

At its heart, this conversation explores the hard questions: Is it real? Is it true? Is it right? Katrin’s perspective reminds us that rushing into technological change without pausing for deep, structured reflection is a failure not just of ethics but of leadership itself.  

Do you want to know more about Katrin Gülden Le Maire?
Dr. Katrin Gülden Le Maire is a seasoned strategic advisor and independent researcher with over 25 years of experience across the finance, real estate and technology sector. Her work is characterized by a strong emphasis on governance, ethical leadership, and the integration of philosophical insights into business practices.

Based in Paris, Katrin has an extensive international background, having lived and worked in Germany, the UK, and France. She provides guidance to leaders and Boards on strategic development, positioning and governance – working with a value-add approach.

She earned a Doctorate in Philosophy from Middlesex University, where her interdisciplinary research delved into the educational and science-political developments on the scientific credibility of theology as a university discipline in Germany. She holds a Master of Science in Corporate Communications from Rotterdam Business School and has completed further studies in Financial Management and Theology at British universities. Moreover, Katrin is a Chartered Financial Analyst ESG.

Katrin research interests are interdisciplinary, encompassing cyber ethics, democracy development, social cohesion, and epistemology. She selectively teaches and participates in scientific research at the the intersection of philosophy, the political and cognitive sciences.

In addition to her advisory and research roles, she is actively involved in promoting female leadership. She serves as an advisor to ACTIVES, a French coalition, which aims to promote female senior talent to lead CAC40 companies. Katrin is a former advisor to the Policy Liaison Group ESG in Westminster/UK with focus on the development of a British taxonomy.

Katrin is a recognized contributor to international forums such as the Women's Forum Global Meeting or Women in Tech, where she discusses topics related to cyber ethics, AI and tech diplomacy.

For more information about her work and publications, you can visit her official website at kglemaire.com or follow her on LinkedIn. 

In this episode of The Only Constant, host Lasse Rindom speaks with Peter Vester, Lead Data Scientist at Novo Nordisk and winner of the 2024 DAIR Award for Data Science Professional of the Year. Peter’s approach cuts through the usual GenAI hype.

Together they explore:

• Why the right question is never “can we do a GenAI solution?” but “what real problem are we solving?”
• How Novo rolled out an internal AI marketplace and chatbot to 30,000 employees without losing control or trust
• Why the better the model, the more dangerous human laziness becomes
• How to balance creativity and accuracy when deploying GenAI in a highly regulated pharma environment
• The long-term risk: replacing engineers with AI and eroding critical system understanding

For anyone interested in making AI work in the enterprise (not just in demos), this episode will spark plenty of reflection. 

Do you want to know more about Peter Vester?
Peter Vester is Lead Data Scientist at Novo Nordisk with a PhD, several scientific publications and front-cover articles, and multiple international awards, including the DAIR Awards "AI / Data Science Professional of the Year 2023 / 2024" for the Nordic countries. He has also been recognized as a Top-100 talent in Danish Business by Berlingske. As a specialist in Generative AI, he leads a team developing high-quality business solutions with large language models and agents. 

Peter works on initiating and leading data science projects across a wide range of domains, including research, clinical trials, marketing, finance, and the supply chain. His passion lies in creating real business value from data by putting machine learning into production and going beyond the proof-of-concept stage. He is also an official subject matter expert in Machine Learning for AWS.

To Peter, data science goes beyond just numbers - it’s about uncovering the stories they tell and the valuable lessons they offer. He compares it to scaling a mountain: full of difficulties, obstacles, and challenges, but with a view at the top that makes the journey worthwhile. Like any adventurer, he enjoys sharing the path he took, the hurdles he overcame, and the awe of standing at the peak of the data mountain.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with Anna Tebelius Bodin - a Harvard-educated educator and brain science communicator - about the essential role of effort in cultivating meaning and fulfillment in a world increasingly defined by convenience.Together, they explore:

• Why friction and striving are central to personal growth - and how AI’s instant gratification risks leaving us empty
• The cost of outsourcing thought: what we gain in speed, we risk losing in identity, learning, and satisfaction
• The paradox of progress: when we get what we want too easily, we lose the very desire that drove us
• The responsibility of leaders and educators to protect focus, mental engagement, and human connection

As Anna warns, “A brain that isn’t used won’t be needed.”
This episode is a timely reflection on what makes life meaningful - and what we should be careful not to automate away ...

Do you want to know more about Anna Tebelius Bodin?
Anna Tebelius Bodin is a speaker, author, and educator, with a master’s degree from Harvard University, where she also assisted research.

She has given more than 1700 lectures on the psychology behind leadership, personal development and learning. Her books have been appreciated for making complex theory simple enough to provide profound insights to everyday life. As recognition of her work, she received the 2020 Swedish Mensa Award.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with Stuart Winter-Tear, a sharp voice in the AI space known for balancing enthusiasm with critical insight. Their conversation tracks the evolution from generative AI hype to something more measured, thoughtful - and ultimately more valuable:

• Why real transformation won’t come from flashy demos, but from deep integration into workflows and systems
• The risks of treating GenAI as a strategy rather than a tool, and the importance of grounding AI in real business needs
• The growing tension between innovation speed and security, and how enterprises are re-learning old lessons too fast to apply them
• How “shadow AI” and sycophantic AI models are creating both hidden risks and unexpected human dependencies

This episode isn’t about AI optimism or pessimism. It’s about realism. As Stuart puts it, we may all end up stewards of AI systems - whether we’re ready or not. 

Do you want to know more about Stuart Winter-Tear?
Stuart is an accomplished Product Leader with 20+ years driving innovation across AI, Cybersecurity, eCommerce, and SaaS. As a fractional CPO, advisor, and consultant, he partners with ambitious companies to scale smarter, innovate faster, and bring cutting-edge products to market. He has founded and grown ventures, led cross-functional teams in both startups and enterprises, and delivered patented AI solutions that transformed adoption, automation, and growth.

Known for combining deep technical insight with strategic clarity, Stuart specialises in product innovation, go-to-market execution, and aligning AI capabilities with real-world business needs. As an Ambassador at the Centre for GenAIOps and a frequent speaker and writer, Stuart is at the forefront of AI evolution - committed to helping teams build ethical, impactful, and market-leading products.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with David Pontoppidan, Head of Business AI for Nordics & Baltics at SAP - a mind as sharp as the systems he builds. The conversation dives into how SAP is embedding AI across its enterprise suite, not just as a bolt-on, but as part of a deeply integrated, multi-agent architecture. Together, they explore:

• Whether AI in ERP is truly transformation - or just lipstick on a pig
• How SAP's knowledge graph and semantic data layers redefine what agents can actually do
• The tension between standardization and customization in AI-powered enterprise processes
• Why slow decision-making isn’t always bad - and sometimes necessary
• The philosophical and political implications of AI, from entropy to biopolitics, norms, and truth
• How jazz, entropy, and citizen developers all make surprising cameos in the future of enterprise tech

This one goes deep - from practical ERP use cases to Foucault, Habermas, and the nature of truth in AI governance. A must-listen for anyone trying to steer technology in a world where we need to define not only what we can do - but what we won’t do. 

Do you want to know more about David Pontoppidan:
David Pontoppidan is the Head of Business AI for SAP across the Nordics & Baltics, guiding some of the world’s leading organisations to turn AI investments into hard-currency value. Known for his sharp analogies and the occasional pop culture reference, David helps executives trade “Artificial Ignorance” for data-driven decisions that actually move the P&L. 

A former army language officer turned management-consultant-turned-tech strategist and executive, David blends his background in behavioural economics and sociology with deep business insight as he completes an Executive MBA in Finance at Copenhagen Business School.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with Robert Fuchs, a seasoned engineer in human-in-the-loop automation with decades of experience in the automotive industry.Together, they explore what automation looks like when safety is on the line - and what businesses can learn from it.The conversation spans both car design and enterprise systems:

• Why increasing automation often requires more human skill, not less
• How to build systems that people actually want to use
• The challenge of shared control - technically, psychologically, and legally
• The “moral crumple zone” where humans still absorb the blame when things go wrong
• What 20 years of autonomous driving efforts can teach us about deploying AI in business

Robert’s reflections offer a grounded, cautionary perspective on autonomy - relevant far beyond the road. 

Do you want to know more about Robert Fuchs?
Dr. Robert Fuchs is the AD/ADAS Executive Professional and Head of the Systems Innovation R&D Department at JTEKT Corporation, Japan. Originally from Switzerland, he obtained his PhD at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne before moving to Japan in 2000 to begin working in the automotive industry.  

Robert’s 25-year career includes work on powertrains and vehicle dynamics, with almost 50 published scientific papers and numerous patents, as well as coordinating industry-academia-government collaboration in Europe. Recognized as an intrapreneur, he established the development of automated driving technology at JTEKT focusing on haptics and physical human-robot interaction. He and his team are currently working on the product launch of Pairdriver, a unique technology that seamlessly connects the driver to the automated driving system.

In this episode, Lasse Rindom speaks with Jochen Wirtz, Vice Dean of MBA Programmes and Professor of Marketing at NUS Business School, National University of Singapore. A globally recognized authority on services marketing and management, Jochen Wirtz has authored over 20 books, including the recently released Agentic Artificial Intelligence: Harnessing AI Agents to Reinvent Business, Work, and Life.Their conversation delves into:

• The service revolution of AI and how artificial intelligence is transforming service delivery, comparable to the Industrial Revolution
• Transforming education and healthcare by exploring why sectors like education and healthcare are poised for significant change through AI, while certain personal services remain less susceptible
• Abundance and automation and discussing how the proliferation of AI and automation influences our work priorities and the aspects of life we value most
• Challenges of a frictionless world by contemplating whether the primary challenge ahead is the risk of dehumanization or adapting to a world where services are seamlessly integrated
• Designing AI for human behavior and examining how the design of AI systems influences human behavior and the reciprocal training between humans and machines

They also navigate complex paradoxes such as productivity versus meaning, choice versus anxiety, and the balance between consumption and being consumed by technology. If you're curious about whether we're heading toward a future of enlightened leisure or facing the pitfalls of algorithmic dependence, this episode offers both optimism and critical insights.  

Do you want to know more about Jochen Wirtz?
Jochen Wirtz is Vice Dean MBA Programs and Professor of Marketing at the NUS Business School, National University of Singapore.  He has published over 200 academic articles, including 6 features in Harvard Business Review, and over 20 books.
His books include Agentic Artificial Intelligence: Harnessing AI Agents to Reinvent Business, Work and Life (2025), Intelligent Automation: Learn How to Harness Artificial Intelligence to Boost Business & Make Our World More Human (2021), Services Marketing: People, Technology, Strategy (9th edition, 2022), and Essentials of Services Marketing (4rd edition, 2023). 

With translations and adaptations for over 26 countries and regions, and combined sales of almost 1 million copies, they have become globally leading services marketing textbooks.  

In recognition of his excellence in research and teaching, Professor Wirtz has received over 50 awards, including the Christopher Lovelock Career Contributions to the Services Discipline Award in 2019 (the highest recognition of the American Marketing Association service community), the Academy of Marketing Science 2012 Outstanding Marketing Teacher Award (the highest recognition of teaching excellence of AMS globally), and the prestigious, top university-level Outstanding Educator Award at NUS.

Download his recent work from JochenWirtz.com and follow his work on ResearchGate (https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jochen_Wirtz) and LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jochenwirtz).

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom talks with Eduardo Ordax, AI Lead at AWS, about the messy realities behind AI hype. They cover why great data still beats great models, why fine-tuning often isn't worth it, and why most "agents" today are just glorified workflows.You'll also hear:

• What companies get wrong about internal data
• The risks of “vibe coding” in a world of AI-generated software
• Why composable architectures might not survive the agentic future

A sharp, honest conversation for anyone navigating real-world AI adoption. 

Do you want to know more about Eduardo Ordax? 
Eduardo Ordax is the Principal Go to Market Generative AI Lead at Amazon Web Services (AWS), where he helps global customers harness the full potential of artificial intelligence. With over 15 years of experience in sales, business development, and AI/ML, he has become a trusted voice in the AI community, known for his pragmatic approach to technology implementation and his viral posts about the importance of data foundations in AI success.

A passionate public speaker and startup advisor, Eduardo brings a unique perspective as an "AI Outsider" who balances technical expertise with business acumen. He is dedicated to helping organizations navigate the challenges of AI adoption while maintaining a focus on what truly matters - building strong data foundations before rushing into AI applications.

In this episode, Lasse Rindom speaks with Claus Raasted - author, experience designer, and perhaps the only person who's ever been both a legendary live roleplayer and a McKinsey coach. Their conversation explores what it really means to “get shit done” and how companies can embrace experimentation without losing their structure. Along the way, they cover:

• Why action, experimentation, and curiosity are the foundation for making things happen
• How innovation always creates tension between the dreamers and the doers - and why that’s not a bad thing
• How to work with legacy instead of just trying to blow it all up
• The art of roleplaying - not just for fun, but as a way to step into other people’s realities
• Six enlightening “biases” for getting things done in organizations

Do you want to know more about Claus Raasted?
Claus Raasted helps organizations both big and small become better at GETTING S**T DONE, and serves as Director of the College of Extraordinary Experiences. He travels the globe as a keynote speaker, and has been both a Coach and Senior Advisor at the consulting giant McKinsey. Raasted is the author of 46 books, the latest of which is fittingly titled “Claus Raasted’s Little Book of Getting Shit Done”. He also has a past in reality TV, but these days, who hasn't?

In this episode, Lasse Rindom speaks with Marc Lawn about the intersection of AI, strategy, and the evolving nature of work. Their discussion navigates the balance between hype and reality, touching on:

• Where AI optimists are actually right and where their enthusiasm turns into hubris
• How AI challenges traditional work structures and forces a rethink of hierarchies and control
• Why businesses need to embrace discomfort to foster real innovation
• The hidden risks of blindly automating processes without questioning their value
• The role of curiosity and trust in navigating technological transformation

This conversation goes beyond surface-level AI discussions, questioning how we structure work, measure success, and create value in an AI-driven world.

Do you want to know more about Marc Lawn?
Marc is a visionary executive leader with over 30 years of experience in driving transformational change across industries, including, chemicals, consumer goods, media, hospitality, renewable energy & cleantech. Known for his strategic insight and operational expertise, Marc has successfully led high-stakes projects that balance ambitious growth with sustainable business practices.

His career spans senior roles within Fortune 500 companies and advisory positions, where he has helped organisations navigate complex challenges, with specific expertise in energy transition initiatives, by leveraging his deep understanding of market dynamics, customer needs, and competitive landscapes.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom sits down with Russ D'Sa, co-founder of LiveKit, to discuss the future of AI, its impact on human interaction, and the fine line between utopia and dystopia. Their conversation covers:

• Why Russ believes the "end state" of AI is easier to see than most think - but still comes with four possible futures.
• The evolving relationship between humans and technology, from the early days of the internet to AI-powered interfaces.
• How LiveKit is building the infrastructure to make AI more human-like in its interactions.
• The real-world applications of multimodal AI - voice, vision, and robotics—and where they could lead us.
• The tension between technological progress and regulation: Are we building rails for AI, or is it already running off the tracks?

This episode dives deep into the philosophical and practical implications of AI, challenging the utopian dreams and dystopian fears shaping the industry today. 

Do yo want to know more about Russ d'Sa?
Russ d'Sa is a prominent figure in the tech industry, currently serving as the CEO and co-founder of LiveKit, a company that builds infrastructure for real-time audio and video applications, including those used by AI platforms like ChatGPT and Character.ai. With a background as an early engineer at Twitter and 23andMe, d'Sa has extensive experience in the tech sector. He's a serial entrepreneur, having previously founded the mobile search platform Evie Labs, which was later acquired by Medium. His entrepreneurial journey also includes being a YC S07 founder. At LiveKit, d'Sa is focused on simplifying AI development by providing open-source and cloud-based infrastructure for real-time audio and video applications. The company has gained significant attention for its collaboration with OpenAI, powering advanced voice features in the ChatGPT app. D'Sa's vision extends beyond current applications, as he sees LiveKit as building the "nervous system" for future AI innovation. He's particularly interested in the potential of multimodal AI applications and how they will shape human-computer interactions in the future. Throughout his career, d'Sa has adapted his motivations and approach to entrepreneurship, focusing on having a meaningful impact and working on ideas he's passionate about.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with Dr. Christina Strauss, co-founder and CEO of Strauss MindTech. As a specialist in digital transformation with a background in psychology, business, and digital communication, Christina explores how human attitudes - not technology - determine AI success.Their conversation uncovers:

• Why AI adoption isn’t just about tools but about people’s willingness to change
• The paradox of perfect processes that make companies blind to disruption
• How AI is shifting human behavior - and why knowledge alone is no longer power
• Europe’s AI regulation dilemma: protection vs. innovation
• The biggest mistake leaders make when trying to “throw AI” at employees

Christina challenges the binary thinking that dominates AI discussions and argues that sustainable transformation requires more than just technical solutions—it demands human adaptation.If you’ve ever wondered why AI initiatives fail despite all the hype, this episode is for you.

Do you want to know more about Dr. Christina Strauss?
Dr. Christina Strauss is co-founder and CEO of Strauss MindTech, a human-centric AI advisory and upskilling firm that helps organizations navigate complex digital transformations. With degrees in Business Administration, Psychology, and a Doctorate in Digital Communication, she tackles the human attitudes and behaviors that so often undermine progress. By focusing on how people think, learn, and adapt, Dr. Strauss ensures that change remains meaningful and sustainable - placing human needs center stage.

In this milestone 50th episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with Kate O’Neill, a leading strategist and author of What Matters Next?, about the intersection of AI, digital transformation, and decision-making in the face of uncertainty. Their conversation covers:

• Why the biggest challenge with AI isn’t the technology itself, but the decisions leaders must make about it
• The tension between innovation and digital transformation - are companies actually preparing for the future, or just playing catch-up?
• How businesses can avoid the fate of Blockbuster and Kodak by closing the gap between probable and preferred futures
• The hidden dangers of waiting for a ‘market standard’ in AI adoption - why inaction might be the real risk
• The deeper implications of AI’s impact on language, meaning, and even how we construct reality

Kate O’Neill’s background spans from early days at Netflix to advising global organizations, making her the perfect guest for this milestone discussion. 

Do you want to know more about Kate O’Neill?
Kate O’Neill is a digital innovator, chief executive, business writer, and globally recognized speaker widely known as the “Tech Humanist.” She is the founder and CEO of KO Insights, a strategic advisory firm that enhances human experiences at scale through data-driven and AI-led interactions. Kate O’Neill has worked with prestigious clients like Google, IBM, Microsoft, and the United Nations, and she was one of the first 100 employees at Netflix.

Her groundbreaking insights have been featured in the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and WIRED, and she has shared her expertise on NPR and the BBC. 
Kate O’Neill has been honored with numerous awards, including
“Technology Entrepreneur of the Year” and a spot on Thinkers50’s list of the World’s Management Thinkers to Watch. With six influential books under her belt, including Tech Humanist and A Future So Bright, as well as her latest, What Matters Next.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with Christiane Vejlø, a seasoned technology expert and author of Arguments for Humans. Their conversation explores the intersection of AI, humanity, and what it means to be human in a world increasingly shaped by intelligent machines.They discuss:

• The nine uniquely human traits that AI can't replicate - and why they matter more than ever
• The risks of AI imitating human language and how it distorts our perception of intelligence
• Whether AI’s relentless efficiency will amplify human bias or help correct it
• The philosophical and political implications of a world where AI-generated content dominates

Should we be polite to AI? Is AI truly an "alien intelligence"? And are we unknowingly outsourcing our choices to machines? Listen in to get Christiane's views on these questions and more. 

Do you want to know more about Christiane Vejlø?
Christiane Vejlø is a futurist, media analyst, and one of Denmark’s leading experts on the relationship between humans and technology. With a background in media, telecommunications, and AI ethics, she has advised governments, corporations, and institutions on the societal impact of digital transformation. As the author of Arguments for Humans (2023), she explores the unique qualities that define human intelligence in an AI-driven world. Vejlø is a sought-after speaker in business and policy circles, focusing on AI’s influence on work, ethics, and society. Beyond her research and writing, Vejlø serves on multiple advisory boards, including Denmark’s Data Ethics Council and the board of DR (Danish Broadcasting Corporation). She is an active investor in early-stage startups and has played a key role in shaping digital policy through leadership roles in various governmental and industry initiatives. Through her company, Elektronista, she provides insights into AI, digital trends, and the evolving relationship between technology and culture.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom sits down with Peter Kaas and Niels-Peter Kjølbye, two legal experts navigating the rapidly evolving intersection of AI, privacy, and the legal profession. Their conversation dives into how generative AI is reshaping legal work - from drafting contracts and reviewing documents to redefining how junior lawyers gain experience.  But beyond productivity, they tackle deeper questions:

• Can AI truly replace the nuanced judgment and ethical reasoning lawyers bring to the table?
• How do we train the next generation of legal professionals when AI handles the foundational tasks they used to learn from?
• And with GDPR and data privacy laws lagging behind technological advancements, how do we balance innovation with trust?

In a surprising twist, they even connect these challenges to Dungeons & Dragons, asking whether our AI-driven legal systems might become lawful without being good. Are we prioritizing rigid compliance over ethical outcomes? And what does that mean for the future of justice?Whether you’re in the legal field, tech, or just curious about how AI is quietly rewriting the rules, this episode will give you a front-row seat to the challenges—and opportunities—facing the legal profession today.

Do you want to know more about Peter Kaas?
Peter Kaas is Head of Data Privacy & Digital Legal, Group DPO in Falck - a global emergency and healthcare service provider. Peter leads a team of commercially oriented lawyers and compliance professionals in the digital and privacy space. The team includes the Group DPO function, privacy operations, and legal business partnering to Falck Digital Technology. Prior to joining Falck, Peter has worked in house in the IT industry and in private legal practice in top tier Danish law firms. Peter is an attorney-at-law, licensed to practice in Denmark. He is an external associate professor of IT law, IT contract law and data protection at the University of Copenhagen. He has a master's in law from the University of Copenhagen, an LLM from the University of Virginia, and holds several data privacy and information security certifications.

Do you want to know more about Niels-Peter Kjølbye?
Niels-Peter Kjølbye is a Danish legal expert and thought leader specializing in data protection, corporate law, and compliance. Currently a Partner at Basico P/S, he has been deeply involved in GDPR compliance since 2015, assisting private companies and public authorities in navigating complex data protection regulations. His work spans various industries, including insurance, software services, and shipping, giving him a broad understanding of sector-specific regulatory challenges. Kjølbye has also served as an external Data Protection Officer (DPO) for private companies and has conducted masterclasses on GDPR topics such as Records of Processing Activities (RoPA), Data Processing Agreements, and vendor obligations.

Beyond his advisory role, Kjølbye is recognized for his thought leadership in translating legal frameworks into actionable strategies. He advocates for integrating risk assessments into compliance processes, particularly for emerging regulations like the EU's AI Act. By leveraging risk assessments commercially—such as sharing findings with stakeholders or using them for board-level decision-making—he helps organizations align compliance with business objectives. His expertise extends to addressing challenges posed by Big Tech and online tracking practices, making him a prominent figure in shaping practical solutions for modern data governance

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with Grant Ecker, a leader in enterprise architecture and founder of the Chief Architect Network. Their candid conversation explores the evolving role of architects in an AI-driven world and challenges some of the prevailing narratives around technology and change:

• Will specialization disappear as AI takes over more tasks, or will it become even more critical?
• Are humans shifting from the center of processes to the edge, and what does that mean for our roles?
• Why comparing AI to past shifts like electricity or cloud computing might miss the point
• The danger of “innovation theater” and how companies can avoid AI becoming just another buzzword
• How organizations can balance the pressure to “fail fast” with the need to protect critical processes

Do you want to know more about Grant Ecker?
Grant Ecker has recently joined Ecolab as their Vice President of Enterprise Architecture, and he serves as the Founder and Chairman of the Chief Architect Network. Grant joins Ecolab after consulting as an Architecture Vice President at Walgreens. He recently served as the Vice President and Chief Enterprise Architect at Danaher, where he built their Architecture and Artificial Intelligence capabilities.

Previously, Grant was the VP of Architecture at Walgreens Boots Alliance, and he held a similar role at Medtronic. Earlier in his career, Grant built EA’s operations at Lowe’s Home Improvement and grew into leadership at General Mills. Grant is a Certified Coach, received his MBA from the Carlson School of Management, his BSCS from Washington University in St. Louis and he holds various board advisory roles out of Chicago, Illinois.

Chief architects are encouraged to join him in a non-profit, vendor-neutral and no cost peer collaboration at chiefachitectnetwork.com. Please connect with Grant at LinkedIn.com/in/GrantEcker and follow the network of his peers at linkedin.com/company/ChiefArchitect.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom sits down with Martin Lassen-Vernal from the City of Copenhagen and Louise Harder Fischer from the IT University of Copenhagen to explore their newly developed methodology for AI adoption: STAIR – Socio-Technical AI Reflection. Their discussion dives deep into how organizations can integrate generative AI while maintaining human values, productivity, and well-being. Here's a quick breakdown of of topics covered in their discussion:

• The eight core principles of STAIR and why they matter for AI adoption
• The tension between productivity gains and the social impact of AI in workplaces
• Why AI shouldn’t just adapt to us—we should make demands of it
• How organizations can foster meaningful discussions around AI without stifling innovation
• The challenge of navigating AI hype, governance, and ethical concerns

With a mix of critical reflection, real-world implementation, and a few unexpected detours (including the surprising lessons from Denmark’s first webcam experiment), this episode is a must-listen for anyone navigating AI’s role in the modern workplace.

Do you want to know more about Martin Lassen-Vernal?
Martin Lassen-Vernal is a prominent Danish communications professional currently serving as the Head of Communications at the Technical and Environmental Administration in the City of Copenhagen. With over 25 years of experience in public sector communication, he has held leadership roles in organizations like the Capital Region of Denmark and the Danish Institute for Human Rights. His professional expertise spans public relations, digital transformation, and strategic communication.
A recognized expert in generative AI's application in communications, Lassen-Vernal has been actively exploring how artificial intelligence can reshape organizational communication strategies. He holds a Master's degree in Communication and Media Studies from the University of Copenhagen and is known for his innovative yet cautious approach to integrating AI technologies. As a thought leader, he frequently speaks at conferences and shares insights on LinkedIn about the intersection of technology, communication, and organizational change.

Do you want to know more about Louise Harder Fischer?
Louise Harder Fischer holds a PhD and is an Associate Professor at the IT University of Copenhagen, where she also serves as the Program Director for the MSc in Digital Innovation & Management. Her research focuses on sociotechnical changes, particularly in relation to artificial intelligence and digital work. Louise is deeply engaged in understanding how AI impacts work processes and knowledge work, as well as how to ensure the responsible and sustainable integration of AI in organizations. She has developed methods that help balance technology with well-being and meaningfulness in the workplace and is actively involved in both academic and professional networks.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with prof. Karl Friston, one of the most distinguished neuroscientists of all time, and an advisor on intelligence for Verses AI. Karl is one of the most highly cited scientists of all time, and his perspectives and insights from neuroscience brings much needed anchoring to the discussion of intelligence - also in AI. Their discussion focuses on:

• The concept of non-equilibrium steady states and how they mirror organizational change and adaptability.
• Active inference as a cornerstone of intelligence, curiosity, and decision-making.
• A provocative perspective on innovation: why disruption without grounding can be self-destructive and how sustainable innovation demands ecosystem harmony.
• The parallels between enterprise strategy and the perpetual dynamics of self-organizing systems.

Bring your curiosity - and sharp attention - for this truly insightful, deep and razor sharp episode of The Only Constant with a generational genius and true thought leader. Bio:Karl Friston is a theoretical neuroscientist and authority on brain imaging. He invented statistical parametric mapping (SPM), voxel-based morphometry (VBM) and dynamic causal modelling (DCM). These contributions were motivated by schizophrenia research and theoretical studies of value-learning, formulated as the dysconnection hypothesis of schizophrenia. Mathematical contributions include variational Laplacian procedures and generalized filtering for hierarchical Bayesian model inversion. Friston currently works on models of functional integration in the human brain and the principles that underlie neuronal interactions. His main contribution to theoretical neurobiology is a free-energy principle for action and perception (active inference).

Do you want to know more about Karl Friston?
Friston received the first Young Investigators Award in Human Brain Mapping (1996) and was elected a Fellow of the Academy of Medical Sciences (1999). In 2000 he was President of the international Organization of Human Brain Mapping. In 2003 he was awarded the Minerva Golden Brain Award and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 2006. In 2008 he received a Medal, College de France and an Honorary Doctorate from the University of York in 2011. He became of Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology in 2012, received the Weldon Memorial prize and Medal in 2013 for contributions to mathematical biology and was elected as a member of EMBO (excellence in the life sciences) in 2014 and the Academia Europaea in (2015). He was the 2016 recipient of the Charles Branch Award for unparalleled breakthroughs in Brain Research and the Glass Brain Award, a lifetime achievement award in the field of human brain mapping. He holds Honorary Doctorates from the Universities of York, Zurich and Radboud University.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom speaks with Demetrios Brinkmann, founder of the ML Ops Community, about the evolving role of AI agents and the balance between hype and practical applications. Their dynamic conversation dives into the complexities of AI in modern enterprises and the lessons learned from real-world use cases:

• The current state of AI agents and why stability remains elusive
• Why limiting scope is the key to success in agentic workflows
• The growing challenge of AI governance as tools proliferate across organizations
• A provocative discussion on the societal implications of hacking language as a foundational element

This conversation challenges conventional thinking and offers an unfiltered look at the intersection of technology, hype, and practicality. Perfect for anyone eager to cut through the noise and explore what really matters in the future of AI. 

Do you want to know more about Jeff Winter?
Demetrios is one of the main organizers of the MLOps community and currently resides in a small town outside Frankfurt, Germany. He is an avid traveler who taught English as a second language to see the world and learn about new cultures. Demetrios fell into the Machine Learning Operations world, and since, has interviewed the leading names around MLOps, Data Science, and ML. Since diving into the nitty-gritty of Machine Learning Operations he felt a strong calling to explore the ethical issues surrounding ML. When he is not conducting interviews you can find him making stone stacking with his daughter in the woods or playing the ukulele by the campfire.

In this episode of The Only Constant, Lasse Rindom sits down with Jeff Winter, a globally recognized voice in Industry 4.0 and digital transformation. With over 18 years in industrial automation, Jeff is known for breaking down complex concepts, inspiring audiences from factory floors to boardrooms. Here’s what you’ll take away:

• Why Jeff calls AI the “Swiss army knife” of business—streamlining decision-making, tasks, and automation.
• How generative AI is shaping smarter manufacturing systems, from predictive maintenance to factory optimization.
• The right balance between modernization, optimization, and transformation to make Industry 4.0 work.

This conversation is a must-listen for anyone navigating the crossroads of technology and transformation.

Do you want to know more about Jeff Winter?
Jeff Winter is a distinguished expert in Industry 4.0 and digital transformation, with nearly two decades of experience in industrial automation. He has held senior roles at Grantek, Microsoft, and Hitachi Solutions, advising multi-billion-dollar firms on shaping their digital strategies. In September 2024, Jeff joined Critical Manufacturing as Vice President of Business Strategy, driving strategic growth, business development, and helping the company expand its influence in the global manufacturing landscape. 

Throughout his career, Jeff has been recognized for his ability to simplify complex technological concepts, making them accessible to a wide range of audiences. His active involvement in industry organizations, including serving on the International Board of Directors for MESA International and the International Society of Automation (ISA), underscores his commitment to advancing the manufacturing sector.

Jeff's thought leadership is further demonstrated through his substantial online presence, with over 130,000 LinkedIn followers and more than 70 million post impressions, reflecting his dedication to industry engagement and education. His contributions have earned him multiple awards, including #1 Industry 4.0 influencer by Onalytica in 2023, solidifying his reputation as a leading figure in the field.