The Agile CEO by Scrum Inc. | Episode 3: "AI: Your New Agile Teammate"

In this episode:

JJ Sutherland sits down with Jeff Sutherland , co-creator of Scrum and founder of Scrum Inc., to dive into the fascinating intersection of Scrum, Agile, and artificial intelligence (AI). Jeff shares how AI has been an integral part of Scrum’s foundation since its inception and how AI’s role in Agile practices is accelerating at a breakneck speed today. He also walks us through the evolution of AI in his own work, from supercomputing simulations of human cells to the development of Scrum itself, based on principles rooted in chaos theory and AI modeling.

Jeff provides real-world examples of how AI is now supercharging Scrum teams, transforming their productivity, and even helping create systems that can complete work 100 times faster than humans. This episode is packed with insights into how AI and Agile work together to create high-performing teams, where humans and machines collaborate to deliver faster and more effective results.

What you’ll learn:

• AI at Scrum’s Core: Jeff reveals that AI has been foundational to Scrum from the very beginning. Drawing on his early work in AI at Stanford in the 1970s, Jeff shows how AI modeling helped him discover the principle that systems evolve faster when pushed to the edge of chaos—an insight that directly influenced the creation of Scrum.
• The AI-Agile Connection: Jeff argues that Scrum was built for AI, and now it's time for Agile teams to fully embrace this synergy. He describes how AI tools can now do tasks like sprint planning, backlog refinement, and estimation at lightning speed—reducing workload while increasing accuracy and efficiency.
• Human-AI Collaboration: Drawing from real-world applications, Jeff and JJ discuss the future of human-machine teams. They explore how AI can act as a team member, enabling Scrum teams to work faster and more intelligently by leveraging machine learning models to simulate and predict outcomes.
• Scrum and AI for the Future: From automating expense reports to managing complex product backlogs, Jeff shares how he’s actively using AI to streamline processes across multiple companies. The episode highlights how Scrum and AI, when combined, can drive radical acceleration and innovation in business operations.AI
• Doesn’t Replace People—It Augments Them: Jeff stresses that AI isn’t about replacing humans but amplifying their capabilities. In an era where AI is becoming increasingly powerful, Scrum teams must learn how to integrate these tools effectively to stay ahead of the competition.

Key Moments:

• [00:01:00] – The Early Days of AI and Scrum: Jeff shares how his early work at Stanford’s AI Lab laid the groundwork for Scrum’s principles of adaptability and simulation.
• [00:05:00] – The Power of AI in Today’s Scrum Teams: Jeff recounts how AI tools are now able to estimate sprints, create backlogs, and handle tasks 100 times faster than traditional Scrum teams.
• [00:18:00] – The Concept of Bayesian Surprise: Jeff explains how Scrum’s focus on finishing early is crucial for avoiding "Bayesian surprise"—a cognitive reset that occurs when expectations and reality don’t align, sapping team energy and momentum.
• [00:25:00] – Building a Team of AIs: Jeff reveals how he built a team of AI assistants to handle complex programming tasks, allowing his team to complete in a week what used to take five.
• [00:32:00] – Human-Machine Teaming: JJ shares insights on how Scrum Inc. is using AI tools to support its own teams and clients, cutting down time spent on repetitive tasks and driving faster, smarter decision-making.
• [00:47:00] – Accelerating Productivity with AI: Jeff discusses the future of AI in Agile teams, with experts predicting that by 2030, teams could be 30-100 times faster with AI integration.

Final thoughts from JJ:

“AI is transforming how we think about Agile and Scrum, but it’s not here to replace us—it’s here to work with us. The future of work is about human-machine collaboration, where we can leverage AI to do the heavy lifting and free up our teams to focus on innovation and creativity. If you’re a leader thinking about how to stay competitive in this AI-driven world, this is your moment to start integrating these technologies into your Agile teams.”

In upcoming episodes, JJ will continue to explore how leaders across industries are driving innovation and resilience with Agile. Inspired by the 10th Anniversary Edition of Scrum: The Art of Doing Twice the Work in Half the Time, this podcast goes beyond the book. Hear firsthand from leaders in defense, tech, and healthcare about how Agile has transformed their organizations and driven new levels of success.

About Jeff Sutherland:

Jeff Sutherland is the co-creator of Scrum and Chairman and Founder of Scrum Inc. With decades of experience leading Agile transformations across industries, Jeff’s innovative work in AI and Scrum continues to shape the future of organizational agility. He remains committed to pushing the boundaries of how AI and Agile can work together to drive unprecedented results.

Listen to the full episode here: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube