393 Unlocking AI’s Power: Practical Strategies for Leaders with Candice DeVille

Zo? Routh welcomes Candice DeVille, co-founder and CEO of AI CoPilot, to discuss the impact and practical applications of AI tools in personal and professional settings. They explore how AI can enhance efficiency, improve decision-making, and create opportunities for business leaders.?

Candice shares insights into AI’s geopolitical landscape, the importance of diverse perspectives in AI development, and how leaders can implement AI to streamline business operations.?

The conversation also covers the ethical considerations of AI, its evolving capabilities, and how businesses can develop a strategic AI roadmap. Additionally, Zo? recommends Tough Broad by Caroline Paul, an inspiring read on outdoor adventure for women.

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Summary

Zo? shares personal updates:

• The integration of AI in daily workflows, highlighting new automation strategies for businesses.
• Progress on Power Games, including audiobook recording and additional resources.
• Reflections on the role of AI in expanding human perspectives and its potential impact on leadership.

Thought-Provoking Questions for Leaders, focusing on:

• How can AI be leveraged to enhance decision-making rather than replace human insight?
• What practical steps can leaders take to implement AI without overwhelming their teams?
• How do ethical considerations influence the way AI is adopted in organisations?
• How can leaders use AI to challenge biases and broaden their strategic thinking?
• What are the most effective ways for SMEs to integrate AI into their operations?

Candice Deville reflects on:

The Role of AI in Business

• Candice emphasises that AI should be seen as an augmentation tool rather than a replacement for human expertise.
• She highlights how leaders can start small with AI, focusing on repetitive, time-consuming tasks before scaling.

AI’s Geopolitical and Ethical Considerations

• She discusses the rise of open-source AI models like DeepSeek and how they challenge existing AI power structures.
• Candice explores the importance of diverse perspectives in AI training to ensure balanced, ethical development.

Practical AI Implementation for Leaders

• She advocates for an AI roadmap to strategically introduce AI into business operations without disruption.
• Candice shares how AI can be customised for personal and professional use, including creating AI tutors for learning challenges.

The Future of AI and Emerging Technologies

• She predicts the rise of AI-integrated wearables, such as AI-powered smart glasses, and their potential impact on leadership and communication.
• Candice provides insights on how leaders can stay informed about AI advancements and apply them meaningfully in their organisations.

Key Quotes

• “The challenge for leaders isn’t just keeping up with AI—it’s making smart, strategic choices about where to use it." – Zo? Routh
• "The best use of AI is not to replace people, but to augment what they’re already doing." – Candice DeVille
• "We have the opportunity to shape AI by how we use it, what we teach it, and how we engage with it." – Candice DeVille
• "When using AI, start small. Automate the tasks that are repetitive, prone to human error, and the ones that people complain about the most." – Candice DeVille

Questions Explored

1. How can AI be used to expand our perspectives?
2. What is the role of AI in creating meaningful connections rather than just generating content?
3. How can leaders implement AI in a structured way without overwhelming their teams?
4. What are the key geopolitical considerations shaping AI development?
5. How do open-source AI models like DeepSeek compare to proprietary models?
6. What are the most effective ways for SMEs to start leveraging AI?
7. How can business leaders ensure AI adoption is ethical and effective?

Take Action

• Identify repetitive tasks in your business – Make a list of time-consuming, error-prone processes that could be automated.
• Ask AI how it can help – Use tools like ChatGPT to explore automation options tailored to your needs.
• Develop an AI roadmap – Start with a small, low-risk AI project to test the benefits before scaling up.
• Encourage AI education in your team – Provide training so employees can leverage AI effectively.
• Set clear AI guardrails – Ensure AI tools align with ethical considerations and business values.
• Explore free AI learning resources – Check out Candice DeVille’s AI CoPilot courses for business leaders.

Tip of the Week:

Before investing in AI, create a strategic roadmap. Identify your biggest pain points, explore AI solutions, and start with small, impactful changes before scaling up.

Key Moments

00:00 Introduction and Welcome

00:18 Exploring AI Tools: Bordi on LinkedIn

01:59 Power Games and Upcoming Book Launch

02:54 Using AI to Expand Perspectives

04:53 Interview with Candice DeVille: AI CoPilot

06:00 Candice DeVille's Journey in Tech

08:04 AI's Impact and Future Directions

19:44 Practical AI Applications for Businesses

28:48 Candice DeVille's Free AI Program for Leaders

33:39 Book Recommendation: Tough Broad

35:15 Conclusion and Call to Action

About Candice Deville

Candice is the Co-Founder and CEO of AI Copilot, which empowers SMEs and entrepreneurs to navigate and leverage advanced AI technologies to enhance their business success.

Candice is a seasoned technology and digital strategist with over 20 years of experience, harnessing the potential of AI to drive business innovation.

From learning to code as a child in the 1980’s, Candice has been deeply engaged in the tech world, now pioneering the integration of AI tools and technologies to optimise business operations and strategy.

Her expertise spans multiple sectors, where she has significantly improved processes and profitability through innovative digital solutions.

Her work emphasises the enhancement of human capabilities through AI, advocating for technology that supports human work rather than replacing it.

A leading figure in the application of Generative AI, Candice has educated over 20,000 students, imparting crucial skills and knowledge that prepare them for the challenges and opportunities of the AI- driven marketplace.

She has delivered keynotes at major industry events and her insights have been featured on prominent platforms such as CNN Asia and the Morning Show, underscoring her role as a thought leader in technology and digital transformation.

About your host, leadership futurist Zo? Routh:

Zo? Routh is a leadership futurist, podcaster, and multiple award-winning author. She works with leaders and teams to navigate future horizons.

She has worked with individuals and teams internationally and in Australia since 1987. From wild Canadian rivers to the Australian Outback, and the Boardroom jungles, Zo? is an adventurist! She facilitates strategy and culture sessions with audacious teams.

Zo?'s fourth leadership book, People Stuff - Beyond Personality Problems: An advanced handbook for leadership, won the Book of the Year at the Australian Business Book Awards in 2020. Her fifth book is a near future science fiction dystopian novel, The Olympus Project.

Zo? is the producer of the The Future of Leadership Podcast, dedicated to asking “What if…?”? and sharing big ideas on the Future of Leadership.

Zo? is an outdoor adventurist and enjoys telemark skiing, has run six marathons, is a one-time belly-dancer, has survived cancer, and loves hiking in the high country. She is married to a gorgeous Aussie and is a self-confessed dark chocolate addict.

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