Transform NOW

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512

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Aug 2026

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Transform NOW is brought to you by SS&C. AI is reshaping work, but the real breakthrough is orchestration. When people, AI, and automation move together as one intelligent workflow, enterprises stop experimenting and start transforming. On Transform NOW, we explore how AI and agent orchestration are transforming operations, driving growth, and changing how organizations serve customers and empower employees. Subscribe to stay ahead of what’s next in AI...practical, real, and happening now.

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September 11, 202632 min

517. Weekly Pulse Check on Automation & AI News

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:.GPT-6 Astra might be too powerful to understand or control https://www.transformernews.ai/p/openai-gpt-6-astra-might-be-too-powerful-to-understand-or-control .‘Mistrust’ of Palantir may affect NHS research, says health minister https://www.theguardian.com/society/2026/sep/07/mistrust-of-ai-palantir-may-affect-nhs-research .AI Agents Push Humans Out of the Loophttps:// arxiv.org/pdf/2608.23642 https://arxiv.org/pdf/2608.23642 .OpenAI confirms ‘wiki incident,’ says it’s ‘working on a framework’ for more disclosure - https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/05/openai-confirms-wiki-incident-says-its-working-on-a-framework-for-more-disclosure/ .Dyson Debuts $499 AI-Powered Toothbrush With a Built-In Camera - https://finance.yahoo.com/technology/ai/articles/dyson-debuts-499-ai-powered-093003488.html .Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX .To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

September 8, 202648 min

516. Turning AI Promise into Reality

In this episode of the Transform Now podcast, host Michael Marchuk sits down with Russell Halper, CEO of InsideKitchen and a 20-year veteran in enterprise transformation. Russell specializes in "adoption architecture", the missing layer between deploying AI and actually getting business value out of it. Here’s what we cover: 🔹 Why building an AI model is the starting gate, not the finish line. 🔹 How to redesign workflows for AI, instead of just bolting it onto broken processes. 🔹 Balancing human accountability with the rise of agentic AI. 🔹 Why domain expertise is critical for complex operations like supply chain. 🔹 How leaders can cut through the "agent washing" hype and build a "no-regret" AI roadmap for 2026 and beyond. 2:38 - Why 42% of enterprises abandon AI initiatives 5:44 - The operator mindset vs. traditional consulting 8:35 - Change management & the human element of AI 13:30 - Redefining human accountability with agentic AI 17:00 - Redesigning workflows for AI vs. bolting it on 24:30 - Engaging detractors and managing resistance 26:30 - Why 95% of GenAI pilots fail to scale 31:20 - The importance of domain expertise in supply chain AI 38:50 - Cutting through the "agent washing" hype 44:10 - Advice for CEOs: Building a "no-regret" AI roadmap Visit us on our socials: 🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

September 4, 202636 min

515. Weekly Pulse Check of Automation & AI News - September 4, 2026

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode: • OpenAI Says AGI Is Coming By Year-End. It Also Just Had The Worst Safety Crisis In Its History. https://tech.yahoo.com/ai/chatgpt/articles/openai-says-agi-coming-end-063745266.html • Goldman Sachs partner warns of ‘huge danger’ in letting AI replace bankers’ reasoning skills https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/24/goldman-sachs-ai-partner-danger-skills.html • Microsoft and LinkedIn just analyzed the future of work and AI. It all points to one key skill set https://www.fastcompany.com/91583725/microsoft-linkedin-future-work-ai-human-connection • AI is making a mess of how humans interact at work https://www.cnbc.com/2026/08/20/gatekeeping-bots-piles-of-slop-welcome-to-the-age-of-ai-weirdness-at-work.html • Europe's AI Act gets real - https://www.axios.com/2026/08/28/eu-ai-act-gets-real Visit us on our socials: 🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX . To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

September 1, 202625 min

514. AI Agents as Corporate Citizens

In this episode, Brad Hairston talks with Federico Berruti, a McKinsey partner and co-leader of their Canadian banking practice, who returns to Transform NOW to explain his concept of AI agents as "corporate citizens" and why agentic AI's real breakthrough is "decision design," redefining which decisions AI should own versus which those that should remain with humans. . Here's what we discussed with Federico: * Task automation vs. decision design * The "tale of two banks" operating model gap * Guardrails and autonomy trade-offs* Middle management change management and resistance * Model risk management vs. agentic governance * Decision rights, escalation, and auditability* Emergent systemic risk from decision patterns at scale * Reflections on how agentic AI has evolved in 2026.V . Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX . To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

August 28, 202633 min

513. Weekly Pulse Check on Automation & AI News

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode:.The turbulent AI era is here. The choices we make now are critical. https://www.gatesnotes.com/work/make-ai-work-for-everyone/reader/a-turbulent-ai-era-and-critical-choices-to-make?WT.mc_id=20260826_ai-overture-2026-med-med .Anthropic’s best AI model struggles to attract users as cheaper tools thrive https://www.ft.com/content/5ee49718-c258-4f01-aa32-7e5b76ae5245?syn-25a6b1a6=1 .The AI-related reason every billionaire suddenly wants to own a sports team https://www.cnn.com/2026/08/24/business/sports-team-buying-spree .New Zealand to introduce bill for under-16s social media ban https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj068q7qj19o .The technology that could bring robot mowers to one in two American lawns https://www.therobotreport.com/technology-could-bring-robot-mowers-one-half-american-lawns/ .Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX .To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

August 25, 202639 min

512. Stop Adding AI Tools: Redesign Workflows for Real Enterprise Impact

In this episode, host Michael Marchuk sits down with returning guest Ashley Gross, a leader in AI and enterprise transformation, to discuss why organizations struggle to see real ROI from their AI investments. Ashley argues that the true value of AI isn’t unlocked at the tool level, but at the workflow level. Too often, companies fall into "workflow paralysis" by purchasing software hoping for a quick fix, without actually designing or interrogating the processes behind them. Without intentional behavior change and workflow optimization, Ashley warns that AI simply becomes another expensive addition to an already bloated tech stack. To move beyond experimentation, Ashley shares her practical methodology for uncovering and redesigning workflows, which involves everything from analyzing existing documentation to conducting real-time "buddy sessions" with employees in the trenches. She emphasizes the critical importance of keeping humans in the loop to maintain accountability and trust, ensuring that AI augments human judgment rather than replacing it entirely. The conversation also tackles the persistent friction between IT and business teams, offering proactive solutions like embedded governance—where policy checks and approvals are automated directly into IT request workflows—to eliminate bureaucratic bottlenecks and build cross-functional trust. Looking ahead, Ashley advises leaders to prioritize high-ROI workflows, such as proactive budget forecasting, to make AI a durable competitive advantage rather than a short-lived spike in productivity. She also gives listeners an exclusive sneak peek into her book, The AI Workweek, which features over 100 tool-agnostic use cases and practical frameworks designed to help everyday workers eliminate busy work. Whether you're a C-suite executive or a frontline employee, this episode provides a blueprint for driving meaningful, scalable change with AI. The AI Workweek Book: https://a.co/d/0fDld0qE Visit us on our socials: 🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

August 21, 202634 min

511. Weekly Pulse Check on Automation & AI News - August 21, 2026

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode: • Who Will Win as AI Rewrites Competitive Advantage? - https://www.bcg.com/publications/2026/which-companies-capture-value-from-ai • OpenAI president urges enterprises to hasten AI security defenses - https://www.artificialintelligence-news.com/news/openai-president-urges-enterprises-hasten-ai-security-defences/ • Google to buy Spirit Airlines business data for $10 million - https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/google-buy-spirit-airlines-business-data-10-million-2026-08-17/ • The Bank That Runs on AI Agents: What Happens When Software Starts Making Financial Decisions? - https://www.globalbankingandfinance.com/the-bank-that-runs-on-ai-agents-what-happens-when-software-starts-making-financial-decisions-/ • ‘I see the incredible promise’: on set of an AI film shoot as new studios embrace controversial tech - https://www.theguardian.com/film/2026/aug/16/directors-embracing-ai-film-making Visit us on our socials: 🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX . To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

August 18, 202642 min

510. The AI-Savvy Leader

In this episode of Transform NOW, Brad Hairston talks with Dr. David De Cremer, dean and professor at D'Amore-McKim School of Business at Northeastern University and author of The AI Savvy Leader, who explains how leaders can put humans first, build "authentic intelligence" alongside AI, and measure adoption in human terms. . Here's what we discussed with David: - Executive abdication of AI strategy to IT departments - Human-first design, adoption, and management framework - AI as an add-on strategy vs. an integration strategy - Deliberate friction as a tool for scrutiny and trust-building - People-centric adoption metrics (trust, fairness, opt-in usage) vs. cost/productivity - Authentic intelligence vs. artificial intelligence . Visit us on our socials:🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX .To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

August 14, 202633 min

509. Weekly Pulse Check on Automation & AI News

In this episode, Transform NOW co-hosts Brad Hairston and Michael Marchuk banter about some interesting recent news headlines in the world of automation and AI. News stories covered in this episode: . Meta launches new AI model as Zuckerberg champions open-weight push https://www.reuters.com/world/china/meta-launches-new-ai-model-zuckerberg-champions-open-weight-push-2026-08-10/ . The model picker is a dead end https://lovable.dev/blog/the-model-picker-is-a-dead-end . AI, Real-Time Payments Reshape Fintech https://fintechextra.com/news/august-2026-ai-real-time-payments-reshape-fintech-743 . Allstate develops Allie platform for agentic AI strategy https://www.insurtechinsights.com/allstate-develops-allie-platform-for-agentic-ai-strategy/ . Oh Lord, AI Reporters Are Actually Breaking Big News https://www.wired.com/story/ai-newsrooms-are-breaking-news-now-haha-im-in-danger/ . Meta launched a new AI optimism ad set to a song about human extinction https://techcrunch.com/2026/07/23/meta-launched-a-new-ai-optimism-ad-set-to-a-song-about-human-extinction/ . Visit us on our socials: 🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX . To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!

August 11, 202649 min

508. Beyond AI: Humanizing Customer Success

In this episode, host Michael Marchuk interviews customer success advisor, executive coach, and bestselling author Carl Lenocker (A Success Plan for Life) about how AI is reshaping customer success without removing human accountability. Carl argues experienced leaders will be needed to judge AI outputs, while entry-level roles and technical/process-heavy CS work (onboarding, troubleshooting, project management, certifications) are increasingly automatable. He warns against repeating early-2000s outsourcing mistakes that degraded customer experience, stressing AI-driven support must work to build trust, especially for smaller accounts. The conversation covers developing Gen Z communication and face-to-face relationship skills, avoiding over-instrumentation and misguided KPIs, and using strategic human engagement to uncover the “why” behind dashboards. Carl also discusses investing in internal talent development and applying “success plan” thinking to careers and life through discovery, reflection, and time-based planning. - AI Accountability in CS - Preserving Expertise Pipelines - What AI Replaces in CS - Gen Z and Relationship Skills - Designing CS for Judgment - Trust at Scale with AI - Metrics and Over Instrumentation - Human Touch and Renewals - Future of CS and Leadership - Success Plans for Life - Life Phases and Customer Cycles Get Carl's book here: https://www.amazon.com/Success-Plan-Life-Wealth-Direction/dp/B0GHSZ719C Visit us on our socials: 🦾 Get started with SS&C Blue Prism: https://okt.to/JcMLdU 🧑‍💻LinkedIn: https://okt.to/k8zIdp ✖️Twitter: https://okt.to/fHyd9G 🙋‍♀️Facebook: https://okt.to/Vyjfiz 📸Instagram: https://okt.to/5nYvIf 💭Blog: https://okt.to/QuGqVP 🤩Case studies: https://okt.to/ft1AMX To ensure that you never miss an episode of Transform NOW, be sure to subscribe!