Catalysts in Cars Getting Coffee Episode 1
Doug Barton, director of the UWEBC, sits down with AI expert Dr. Michael Proksch for a candid conversation following the Wisconsin Digital Symposium. They reflect on the collaborative spirit of the UWEBC community, the value of learning from peers, and how shared experiences can help leaders navigate the challenges and opportunities of AI.
Transcript
UWEBC Podcast Introduction
Customer experience, technology, people, and supply chains are shaping how organizations operate today, but keeping up isn’t easy. At the UWEBC, we connect leaders navigating transformational change every day. Each week, we bring you the journeys and perspectives of Wisconsin leaders shaping the future of business.
From the University of Wisconsin–Madison, this is the UWEBC podcast.
Doug Barton:
Hey, good morning. It’s Doug Barton, director of the UWEBC, and we’re doing our first-ever, I guess it’s live, takeoff of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. I’m here with Dr. Michael Proksch. Michael, do you want to say hello?
Hey, good morning. It’s Doug Barton, director of the UWEBC, and we’re doing our first-ever, I guess it’s live, takeoff of Jerry Seinfeld’s Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee. I’m here with Dr. Michael Proksch. Michael, do you want to say hello?
Dr. Michael Proksch:
Yeah, hello.
Yeah, hello.
Doug Barton:
The AI expert in the car. That’s the new show.
The AI expert in the car. That’s the new show.
Dr. Michael Proksch:
I love that.
I love that.
Doug Barton:
We were just on our way to make a house call to a UWEBC member company. It’s the day after the Wisconsin Digital Symposium. Michael kicked us off with a wonderful keynote about the secrets of AI value creation, and we’re excited to have a short conversation here.
We were just on our way to make a house call to a UWEBC member company. It’s the day after the Wisconsin Digital Symposium. Michael kicked us off with a wonderful keynote about the secrets of AI value creation, and we’re excited to have a short conversation here.
Let me begin, Michael. What has your experience been like? You got to spend time at our executive reception, meet some people, see our campus a tiny bit, and, of course, have a day of learning yesterday. What are your impressions?
Dr. Michael Proksch:
I loved it. I love Wisconsin. The people are so friendly and so welcoming. I got the feeling that everybody was so open-minded. I felt part of the group, part of the community, and that was very unique. I really appreciate that.
I loved it. I love Wisconsin. The people are so friendly and so welcoming. I got the feeling that everybody was so open-minded. I felt part of the group, part of the community, and that was very unique. I really appreciate that.
Doug Barton:
I have to say that I may have used some of these words yesterday, but that’s kind of a hallmark of our UWEBC events. It really is an act of co-creation.
I have to say that I may have used some of these words yesterday, but that’s kind of a hallmark of our UWEBC events. It really is an act of co-creation.
Dr. Michael Proksch:
Yeah.
Yeah.
Doug Barton:
No one of us is as smart as all of us put together. The challenge I have today might be yours tomorrow, or you might have had it a year ago and can share with me what lessons you’ve learned to move forward.
No one of us is as smart as all of us put together. The challenge I have today might be yours tomorrow, or you might have had it a year ago and can share with me what lessons you’ve learned to move forward.
Even thought leaders like you have invested so much to, let’s say, record the tips, tricks, and secrets that can be created in the business, on the business, and with customers, employees, et cetera.
Dr. Michael Proksch:
Yeah. No, I think that’s exactly right. I really appreciate it. I really love the whole—
Yeah. No, I think that’s exactly right. I really appreciate it. I really love the whole—
Doug Barton:
So, you’ll come back?
So, you’ll come back?
Dr. Michael Proksch:
Yeah, if I’m invited and you guys want me, I would love to.
Yeah, if I’m invited and you guys want me, I would love to.
Doug Barton:
There you go. That’s an invitation for engagement. How about a thumbs up, a like, a love, or a celebrate? Anyway, this is our best effort.
There you go. That’s an invitation for engagement. How about a thumbs up, a like, a love, or a celebrate? Anyway, this is our best effort.
We’re going to publish a lot of the highlights, including Lin Wilson’s graphic recordings. By the way, we have them in the car. Look at us. We drive them around.
Dr. Michael Proksch:
We do.
We do.
Doug Barton:
We’re taking them on a house call here today.
That’s it. Have a wonderful Friday. I’ll say, “On, Wisconsin!” Michael, can you make a W like that?
Dr. Michael Proksch:
Sure.
Sure.
Doug Barton:
We’ll work on that.
We’ll work on that.
Dr. Michael Proksch:
Almost.
Almost.
Doug Barton:
We’re going to get there. All right. Take care, friends.
We’re going to get there. All right. Take care, friends.
UWEBC Podcast Closing
If you want to keep the conversation going, check out the UWEBC website for more events, resources, and details on what’s coming next. Thanks for listening, and from the UWEBC, we’re glad you joined us.