HUMAN & AI

Hosted by Siemens

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Latest episode

Oct 2026

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About the show

Welcome to Human and AI: Mind, Machines, and the Gradient Descent, your essential guide to the most transformative technology of our time. Join hosts Ulli Waltinger and Arberie Hakaj at the Siemens AI Lab, as they pull back the curtain on the world of AI and machine learning.Each episode, we go beyond the headlines to bring you geeky deep dives into the algorithms shaping our world, candid discussions on corporate dynamics and AI strategy, and a thoughtful exploration of the ever-evolving role of humans. From the nitty-gritty of neural networks to the big-picture questions of our shared future, we unpack the complex, celebrate the innovative, and investigate how people and machines will learn and grow together.If you're curious about the intersection of human ingenuity and (industrial) artificial intelligence, this might be just the right podcast for you!Follow Siemens AI Lab to join the conversation and explore the future, one algorithm at a time.

Listen to episodes

60 recent

October 22, 202634 min

Katalin Westhoff | Reinventing Financial Services and Scaling AI with Trust

In this episode, we sit down with Katalin Westhoff, who leads the AI Center of Excellence at Siemens Financial Services, for a conversation about what it really takes to scale AI responsibly.Katalin unpacks the tension at the heart of AI adoption: the same technology that demands rigorous governance is your most powerful weapon for unlocking business value. From everyday AI literacy programs that spark intrinsic motivation across 2,600+ employees to process redesigns that transformed how SFS thinks about credit decisions, she shows us that the greatest untapped opportunity in AI isn't the algorithm — it's the people.She reveals why you cannot just automate an existing process. Reinvention requires rethinking roles, processes, and business models from the ground up. And scaling AI isn't primarily a technical problem — it's a leadership opportunity.Whether you're navigating AI governance, building organizational capability, or leading through transformation, this episode offers practical insights on what it takes to scale AI with trust and purpose.

September 24, 202652 min

Nils Janus | AI at Scale in Safety-Critical Manufacturing

In this episode, we sit down with Nils Janus, Chief AI Officer at Covestro, for a conversation on what it takes to deploy AI at scale across the safety-first world of chemical manufacturing. Nils brings a mathematician’s clarity and a background in theoretical computer science and psychology to the challenge of leading traditional industrial heritage into digital leadership.Why is Covestro replacing traditional 5-to-10-year IT roadmaps with agile 6-month game plans? How do probabilistic machine learning models win the trust of traditional chemical engineers to optimize batch cycle times? And what does it mean to define AI simply as Machine Learning plus Autonomy?Nils unpacks how automated plant monitoring unlocked double-digit million-euro cost avoidance, how Covestro’s internal AI Academy upskills domain experts into departmental AI leaders, and why Europe’s competitive edge lies in combining centuries of industrial heritage with AI innovation. From closed-loop plant control under strict safety guarantees to quantum-driven material simulation, this conversation offers a practical blueprint for turning AI ambition into bottom-line impact.

August 13, 202646 min

Jochen Gross | Why Data Is the Foundation of Every Sustainability Transformation

In this episode, we sit down with Jochen Gross, who leads Data Strategy and Architecture within the Sustainability team at Siemens, for a conversation that challenges how we think about both AI and sustainability. Jochen takes us behind the scenes of one of the most complex data challenges in corporate history: building the foundation that makes sustainable decision-making actually possible at scale.Why has sustainability evolved from a values-driven conversation into a data-driven discipline? Why are frameworks like the CSRD accelerating rather than slowing down the industry?Jochen unpacks the tension at the heart of AI today: the same technology consuming enormous energy could be our most powerful weapon against climate change. From product carbon footprints to digital twins that turned a 50kg robot gripper into a 2kg polymer marvel, Jochen shows us that the greatest untapped opportunity in sustainability isn't policy or engineering — it's data. And if you think that sounds dry, think again.

July 14, 202649 min

Erik Brynjolfsson | The Economics of Getting AI Right

In this episode, we headed to the heart of Silicon Valley to meet Professor Erik Brynjolfsson, Director of Stanford's Digital Economy Lab and one of the world's leading thinkers on the economics of AI, for a conversation that bridges economics with bold human vision. Erik brings his clarity to some of today's biggest leadership questions: Why are companies spending billions on AI but seeing underwhelming results? What does his famous productivity J curve tell us about where we are right now and how close we are to turning the corner? And what separates the organizations that will thrive from those that won't survive the transition? From the power law of AI adoption and the danger of selection bias in productivity metrics, to the philosophical question of whether AI will one day need to "accept" us humans too, this episode is as thought-provoking as it is practical. Erik also shares why he believes we are not passive bystanders in the AI era, but active agents with more power to shape the world than any generation before us. A must-listen for leaders, innovators, and anyone ready to stop wondering what AI will do to them, and start deciding what they will do with it.

June 30, 202643 min

Dr. Christian Essling | Powering the Future: AI, Energy Transition, and the Case for Small Wins

In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Christian Essling, Global Head of Data & AI at E.ON, one of Europe's largest energy companies, for a conversation about what it truly takes to drive AI transformation in the physical world.Christian shares his journey from dreaming of a consulting career to discovering the power of data-driven prediction during his PhD, and how that moment set him on a path to leading AI at scale across 76,000 colleagues and 1.6 million kilometers of infrastructure.We explore why Christian believes in the power of many smaller wins over elusive moonshots, how E.ON is tackling the volatility of renewable energy with AI and even quantum computing, and what it really means to keep a grid in balance when solar panels, heat pumps, and electric vehicles are rewriting the rules of energy consumption.From drone-based cable inspections and Boston Dynamics robots in transformer stations, to AI-powered customer experiences in 50 million households, this episode is a masterclass in grounding technology in real business value.Tune in to find out why Christian's boldest advice to every geek out there is simple: understand the business first.

February 3, 202650 min

Pina Schlombs | Industrial AI and Sustainability: Building Technology with Purpose

In this episode, we explore the intersection of industrial AI and sustainability with Pina Schlombs, Sustainability Lead and Industrial AI Thought Leader at Siemens. Pina shares her journey from competitive sports to leading transformative AI initiatives reshaping how industries approach environmental impact.We dive into how AI delivers measurable sustainability outcomes - from optimizing energy consumption by 10-20% to enabling circular product design through digital twins. Pina reveals insights from the Siemens-Reuters report showing 70% of executives expect positive sustainability impacts from industrial AI within three years. We tackle critical questions: How do we balance AI's resource hunger with its benefits? What happens to human expertise in the age of AI agents?Tune in for Pina's advice on building impactful solutions, her hope for true AI creativity, and why the most powerful technology is built with purpose.

December 19, 202545 min

Moritz Frenzel | Building the Future: Making Engineering Accessible Through AI

In this episode, we welcome Moritz Frenzel, Global Technical Director for Engineering, Data Science, and Automation at Altair. Together, we dive into the exciting intersection of engineering, creativity, and AI, exploring how democratized tools and simulation technologies are unlocking new possibilities for innovation.Moritz shares his vision for the future of engineering, reflecting on how AI enhances rather than replaces human creativity, and why he believes that “building is more than consuming.” From bold predictions about the next decade to lessons learned at the forefront of technology, this conversation is an inspiring reminder that innovation thrives on curiosity, collaboration, and the courage to rethink what’s possible.

July 14, 202552 min

Richard Socher | Innovation, Agents, and Democratizing Intelligence

In this episode, we’re joined by Richard Socher - visionary AI researcher and founder behind leading companies like MetaMind and you.com - for an enlightening conversation about the future of artificial intelligence. Richard shares his unique journey, highlighting how he transitioned from pioneering academic research to building startups that shape how AI impacts businesses and society at large. We delve into the rapidly changing world of natural language processing, discussing how today’s AI models are bringing together previously separate tasks into unified solutions and what that means for the future of work. Richard also reflects on the growing importance of communication, responsible leadership, and ethical development as AI becomes more accessible and integrated across industries. Tune in to discover Richard’s advice for embracing the opportunities of AI, the critical skills needed in a digital-first world, and why he believes the greatest challenges ahead are not just technical, but fundamentally human. Whether you’re an expert, a newcomer, or simply curious, this episode offers valuable insights into the evolving role of AI - and what it takes to lead responsibly in the age of intelligent systems.

July 2, 202534 min

Judith Wiese | Leading with Purpose in the Age of AI

Judith, Managing Board Member and Chief People & Sustainability Officer at Siemens, shares in this episode why purpose matters deeply to her - both personally and professionally. For her, AI is not just about efficiency but about improving lives and driving sustainable impact. She offers insights into how Siemens applies industrial AI to detect water leaks, reduce energy consumption, and drive meaningful impact - but also why technology alone isn’t enough. With a strong people-first mindset, Judith reflects on the cultural shift AI requires, and why psychological safety, continuous learning, and human connection are paramount to successful digital transformation. Find out how Judith defines leadership in the AI era - rooted in kindness, courage, and curiosity - and how we bring “Technology with Purpose” to life every day at Siemens.

May 28, 202533 min

Daniele Iacovelli | Digital Transformation in Healthcare: Where AI Meets Human-Centric Innovation

In this episode, we dive deep into healthcare innovation with Daniele Iacovelli, SVP - Global Head of Digital, Analytics (AI) and Operational Excellence at Roche. Daniele shares how his team earned the prestigious Global Lighthouse Award for their groundbreaking work using AI to predict cell aging and growth patterns in biological processes.He shares what stuck with him from the World Economic Forum in Davos by offering unique insights on emerging AI trends, including the shift from generative AI to agentic AI and how it's revolutionizing pharmaceutical development. He explains Roche's human-centered approach to AI implementation and why integrating digital transformation with operational excellence is crucial for success.Discover why Daniele believes that "at the end, it's not a technical problem, it's a leadership opportunity" and learn his "Swiss knife" approach to balancing technical expertise with business acumen in a rapidly evolving industry addressing global healthcare challenges.

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