Full transcripts, show notes, and companion analysis for every conversation on the AI in Chicago podcast.
Fresh from the podcast feed — full show notes and transcript coming soon.
Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza inherited a $16.7 billion bill backlog, a credit rating one notch above junk, and a rainy day fund with $48,000. Nine years later: ten credit upgrades, a $2.4 billion rainy day fund, and a payment cycle cut from 210 days to 13. Now, as she eyes
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In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Susana Mendoza, Illinois State Comptroller. They discuss using data and transparency to bring Illinois back from a historic fiscal crisis, what AI means for government and the workforce, and why good governance and a builder's mindset matter for Chicago's future.
In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Brandon Ragle, Illinois State Chief Information Officer and Secretary of the Department of Innovation & Technology (DoIT). They discuss what it takes to operate AI responsibly across an entire state—identity, data governance, cybersecurity, foundations over hype, and preparing the public-sector workforce for AI.
In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Harley Johnson, PhD, CEO of the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park (IQMP). They discuss where AI meets quantum computing, why compute is strategy, how Illinois is building a state-backed deep-tech ecosystem on a former South Side steel site, and what a quantum-ready workforce looks like.
In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with E.J. Fagan, Associate Professor of Political Science at University of Illinois Chicago and author of 'The Thinkers.' They discuss how partisan think tanks replaced neutral expertise, why smart people believe wrong things, and what this means for AI governance.
In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Michael Edwards, President and CEO of the Chicago Loop Alliance. They discuss the transformation of downtown Chicago from an office district to an experience district, the economic power of arts and culture, and what makes cities relevant in an age of remote work.
In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Karen Freeman-Wilson, President and CEO of the Chicago Urban League and former Mayor of Gary, Indiana. They discuss ensuring Black communities aren't left behind in the AI revolution, workforce development, breaking credential barriers, and building comprehensive community-based AI training programs.
In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Elena Vekilov, Chief Privacy Officer and Global General Counsel for Data Security, Product, and AI at NielsenIQ. They discuss enterprise AI readiness, the trust gap in AI adoption, data maturity challenges, and why governance enables innovation rather than constraining it.
In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with State Representative Bob Morgan, Assistant Majority Leader and Floor Whip, about Illinois's groundbreaking first-in-the-nation AI mental health law. They discuss the journey from healthcare attorney to legislator, the political process of passing AI regulation, and why protecting mental health from unregulated AI therapy bots became urgent.
In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Bobby Reddy Jr., CEO and co-founder of Prenosis, about his decade-long journey to develop the first FDA-approved AI tool for sepsis diagnostics. They discuss innovation in acute care, the realities of building healthcare AI, and what it takes to solve truly complex problems.
In this episode, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Richard Robbins, Director of Applied AI at Reed Smith. They discuss the transformation of AI in legal practice, governance frameworks, and how law firms can achieve effective and responsible AI adoption at scale.
In this episode of the AI in Chicago podcast, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Gianne James, Senior Vice President at First Insurance Funding. They discuss AI governance in financial services, risk management, and the importance of upskilling and education for career longevity in the AI era.
In this episode of the AI in Chicago podcast, host Khullani Abdullahi speaks with Cait Moran, Senior Director at Oracle's AI Office Center of Excellence. They discuss Cait's journey in AI, the evolution of Oracle's AI initiatives, and the establishment of a Center of Excellence to drive enterprise-wide AI strategies.
In this episode of AI in Chicago, host Khullani Abdullahi sits down with Dr. Heather McCombs-Chait, a clinician turned enterprise AI leader. Dr. McCombs-Chait shares her unique career journey from managing her own successful private medical practice to leading strategic AI initiatives at major healthcare and medical device corporations like Philips and GE Healthcare.
Dr. William Benjamin, a Principal Generative AI/ML Expert, shares insights on strategic AI leadership, the importance of technical fluency for executives, and building human-centered AI solutions that empower rather than replace people.
In this episode of AI in Chicago, host Khullani Abdullahi interviews Sergio Gutiérrez-Montero, the Director of AI for HR at AbbVie. They discuss Sergio's background in consulting, the evolution of AI in business, and the challenges organizations face in implementing AI strategies. Key themes include the importance of focusing on specific business problems, the need for robust data infrastructure, and the significance of driving employee adoption of AI tools.
Join us for an insightful conversation with Tim Turner, the VP of Insights and Analytics at Thresholds.
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