Better Innovation

How does AI's growing influence on the law intersect with ethical obligations, such as ensuring transparency in AI decision-making and data privacy? Join host Jeff Saviano in a thought-provoking conversation with Dazza Greenwood, an expert on AI ethics and founder of CIVICS.com, as they explore the complex relationship between AI and the law in this episode of Better Innovation.  Drawing from Dazza's expertise as a researcher at MIT Media Lab and Lecturer at MIT Connection Science, the discussion explores the mission of the MIT Task Force on Responsible AI, chaired by Dazza, and the ensuing guiding principles (which can be found at law.MIT.edu). These principles provide a crucial framework for navigating the ethical landscape of AI and the law. Tune in as Jeff and Dazza discuss emerging trends in AI ethics within the legal industry, the importance of individual and organizational actions in promoting responsible AI applications and offer invaluable insights for leaders navigating the ethical complexities of A

Welcome to the 100th episode of Better Innovation! We’ve reached this remarkable milestone thanks to our incredible and dedicated listeners, old and new. We’re excited to present you with this special edition of the show, where Jeff shares memorable moments from past episodes, featuring some of the most fascinating innovation insights from our exceptional guests over the years. From favorite memories to profound leadership and innovation lessons, join us as we celebrate and relive some of the most memorable moments from Better Innovation’s seven seasons.

Join Jeff and his guest, futurist and innovation catalyst David Shrier, as David draws on his expertise in data, fintech, digital identity, cybersecurity, and innovation to examine the EU AI Act. You’ll learn how David contributed to the development of the Act, and how it may influence AI regulation in the U.S. and the rest of world. Jeff and David will unpack AI and technology policy across the globe, governance, ethics, and so much more! To round out the episode, David offers a glimpse into his latest book, “Welcome to AI: A Human Guide to Artificial Intelligence,” which dissects human and AI capabilities, job security, and industries poised for growth in our AI-driven world.

How is Generative AI reshaping the principles of design thinking and product innovation? In this latest episode of Better Innovation, host Jeff Saviano sits down with Sam Yen, Chief Innovation Officer for Commercial Banking at JP Morgan Chase & Co., for a thought-provoking conversation on the transformative potential of Generative AI. Jeff and Sam traverse the evolution of AI, the intersections of AI and design thinking, the relationship between humans and technology, and more. Whether you're a seasoned designer, tech enthusiast, or simply intrigued by the evolving landscape of AI, this episode offers a glimpse into the transformative potential that lies ahead, and some practical applications here today.

To kick off 2024, we bring you a special Better Innovation episode featuring renowned author Rich Cohen. Join Jeff as he sits down with the acclaimed American non-fiction writer, whose works have been New York Times Best Sellers and amongst the Best American Essays. In this episode, Jeff and Rich explore the influences on Rich’s captivating narratives and the timeless innovation lessons embedded in his works, which include "The Fish that Ate the Whale,” “The Adventures of Herbie Cohen: World's Greatest Negotiator,” and "When the Game was War." This conversation will give you a glimpse into Rich’s creative mind and explore the power of resilience, cleverness, and the indomitable spirit of interesting people who have outsmarted their opponents. And, as a bonus . . . Jeff (a tennis fanatic) indulges in a discussion about Rich’s experience working with Maria Sharapova, delving into her remarkable ascent in the tennis ranks against all odds. Learning outcomes: Scarcity can be a driving force for innovation, turni

Step into the world of digital transformation strategy with our latest guest, David Rogers. As the Faculty Director of Executive Education Programs at Columbia Business School, David is a visionary in the realm of digital business strategy and transformation. He is the author of five books, including "The Digital Transformation Playbook,” the book that put digital transformation on the map. Join our host, EY Emerging Technology Strategy Leader, Jeff Saviano, as he and David – in keeping with our season’s focus – explore AI’s role in digital transformation, and the five biggest barriers to successful digital transformation, as explored in David's latest book, "The Digital Transformation Roadmap.” Plus, they debate a crucial question: does innovation always have to begin with the customer problem? Tune in to find out.

Join us as we kick off season 7 of Better Innovation and our mini-series on Responsible AI with guests Benjamin Alarie and Abdi Aidid, co-authors of their new book ‘The Legal Singularity: How Artificial Intelligence Can Make Law Radically Better.’ Ben is a professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law and is the co-founder and CEO of Blue J. Abdi teaches in the areas of civil procedure, torts, and law & technology, also at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Jeff, Abdi and Ben explore the concept of “The Legal Singularity,” a future state where technology facilitates the functional "completeness" of the law. The conversation spans the implications of the law’s textual nature, AI’s impact on the professional responsibilities within the practice of law, and the potential for AI to radically improve our legal processes, institutions, and society.

On today’s Better Innovation episode with Martin Chorzempa, Senior Fellow at the Peterson Institute for International Economics, Jeff explores a significant moment in the annals of innovation history: China’s cashless revolution. In a discussion about his recently published book, The Cashless Revolution: China's Reinvention of Money, named one of the best economics books of 2022 by the Financial Times, Martin provides an extraordinary look at China’s innovation in finance and technology. He and Jeff delve into the rise of super-apps, the shifting views in China about how to best regulate these fintech solutions, and how other countries can learn from China's leading transformation.

For several decades, data protection has captured our full attention, but have we failed to protect people in its pursuit? Live from our Better Innovation Boston studio, EY’s Jeff Saviano sits down with Elizabeth Renieris, Senior Research Associate at the Institute for Ethics in AI at Oxford University, who explores this topic in her new book, Beyond Data: Reclaiming Human Rights at the Dawn of the Metaverse. Elizabeth’s captivating book calls for an entirely different data framework centered on the protection of human rights. A leading authority on digital identity, cross-border data protection / privacy laws, and innovative technologies such as blockchain and AI, Elizabeth argues that laws focused on data protection, data privacy, data security and data ownership have unintentionally failed to protect core human values, including personal privacy. Jeff probes this topic with Elizabeth, while also addressing technology governance, common data misconceptions, and her proposition for a new human rights-based a

What compels a society so dependent on technology to be so innovation-averse? And what is the role of the government in promoting innovation? Live from our remote studio in Washington D.C., EY’s Jeff Saviano reunites with Dante Disparte, Chief Strategy Officer and Head of Global Policy for Circle, for another conversation on Better Innovation to explore these questions which have taken on a greater sense of urgency on the global stage. Regular listeners to the show know Dante well, as this is his 3rd appearance! A seasoned expert who has been at the very center of innovation across fintech, public policy, social impact, and global risk, Dante sheds light on an ‘anti-innovation streak’ that exists within our society, the role of government in regulating and promoting innovation, and the importance of public-private collaboration to advance innovation ‘moonshots.’

Decentralized systems are evolving at a dizzying pace. How are these systems solving real-world problems today? What is a DAO and how may this new form of business organization disrupt the status quo? How can we ensure new Web3 regulatory frameworks protect citizens without stifling innovation? On this latest episode of EY Better Innovation, Jeff Saviano explores these questions with Kevin Werbach, professor of Legal Studies and Business Ethics at the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School. As former Counsel for New Technology Policy at the U.S. Federal Communications Commission, and a frequent author on emerging technologies, Kevin is deeply engaged in matters of Web3 policies and governance. He is a pioneer in emerging fields such as gamification (applying digital game design principles to business), algorithmic accountability, and blockchain. Kevin has published four books, including The Blockchain and the New Architecture of Trust, For the Win: The Power of Gamification and Game Thinking in Business,

Today’s guest exemplifies what it truly means to ethically harness data and technology to transform the most vulnerable nations in the world. Yolanda Jinxin Ma, Head of Digital Policy and Global Partnerships at the United Nations Development Programme, joins Jeff on today’s show to address digital transformation in the UN’s international development.  Yolanda leads the development and implementation of the UNDP’s digital strategy. She advises on multi-disciplinary initiatives in numerous countries. This includes public sector digital transformation, innovative financing for sustainable development, digital public goods proliferation, and cross-sector public-private partnerships. Yolanda has such a unique perspective on today’s digital, social, political, and economic landscape. Listen-in as Jeff and Yolanda explore what it means to transform societies in an era of digital division and rapid technological change, and how nations can overcome the challenges that accompany such important work. 

Better Innovation listeners who have been with us for a few years may feel a sense of déjà vu with this episode. Today’s guest, Alex Osterwalder - inventor of the Business Model Canvas, founder & CEO of Strategyzer, and one of the world’s most influential strategy and innovation experts - appeared on the show back in November 2018 to speak with Jeff in front of a live audience. Alex and Jeff discussed how organizations can thrive with renewed attention to business modeling.   2018 now feels like a lifetime ago . . . Seeking updated insights from Alex, Jeff hosts a discussion on a new culture of innovation that has emerged and how organizations can reframe their approach to innovation in the context of today’s volatile global landscape. Listen-in as Jeff and Alex catch-up and address how business challenges should be converted to innovation challenges to achieve new breakthroughs.

On this episode of EY Better Innovation, Yoav Amiel, Chief Information Officer at RXO, the recent spin-off of XPO Logistics, joins Jeff to explore how novel tech and data solutions are fueling innovation in freight transportation - an industry ripe for radical disruption.  The culmination of Yoav’s experiences at RXO and formerly, XPO, Amazon, and Microsoft, give him a unique perspective on the global challenges facing the transportation and logistics sector. Tune-in to learn about the state of the industry, and how Yoav is driving what some might call one of the most significant disruptions the sector has ever seen.

How can leaders derive maximum value from ecosystems and their associated business models? In this episode of Better Innovation, Jeff Saviano sits down with Greg Sarafin, Global Managing Partner - EY Alliance Ecosystem. Greg oversees the EY strategy, enablement, and value creation derived from alliances and other ecosystem relationships -- which means he holds a unique perspective on the role that creative business models play in scaling innovation strategies. Tune in for best practices on unlocking the potential of ecosystems, and the creative business models leveraging these important relationships.   You can find Greg’s article on the seven real-world ecosystem business models here: https://www.ey.com/en_lu/alliances/seven-business-models-for-creating-ecosystem-value 

What comes to mind when you think of innovation? Maybe it’s the latest development in artificial intelligence, or what’s on the horizon for Web3. In this episode, Jeff sits down with Bruce Jackson, Associate General Counsel at Microsoft, to explore a type of innovation frequently overlooked . . . self-innovation, often in response to life’s greatest challenges.  Bruce is the author of Never Far from Home, his personal memoirs recounting an inspiring life story, including his rise from childhood poverty in pre-gentrified New York City to a stellar career at the very top of the tech and music industries. Bruce opens up to Jeff about his unfathomable life hardships, requiring extraordinary grit, perseverance, and an ability to reinvent oneself, repeatedly, to survive - and ultimately, thrive.  For more on Bruce’s memoirs, Never Far from Home: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Never-Far-from-Home/Bruce-Jackson/9781982191153 

Joining host Jeff Saviano on today’s episode is Jeremy Utley, Director of Executive Education and professor at Stanford's d.school - and a master storyteller. Jeremy has dedicated his career to helping others unleash their innovative potential, changing deeply ingrained behaviors, and discovering better innovation through improved ideaflow, the optimal KPI for innovation. In conversation with Jeff, Jeremy vividly recounts life experiences demonstrating the power of treating every problem as an idea problem. Jeremy’s leading innovation practices are brought to life in discussions around his provocative, newly released book Ideaflow, helping innovators with proven strategies to discover breakthrough ideas and unleash new creativity within their organization.

How has the role of the CFO transformed over the last decade - and where is it headed? In our second episode of Better Innovation in Season Six, Glenn Hopper, Chief Financial Officer at Sandline Global and author of Deep Finance: Corporate Finance in the Information Age, sits down with Jeff Saviano. Glen discusses his insights and lessons from financial transformations, the evolution of Web3, and how today’s leaders can optimize value from their data. He has two decades of experience leading finance operations spanning a variety of industries, including telecommunications, retail, and legal technology. Glen also shares the benefits of serving as a journalist in the U.S. Navy.    From the U.S. Navy to the C-Suite, Glenn has demonstrated the power of harnessing innovation to fuel the finance function of the future - tune in to hear valuable lessons from Glenn! 

Better Innovation is back with season 6! Our first guest of the season is Jim Euchner, author of Lean Startup in Large Organizations. With over 25 years of experience in the field of intelligent systems, Jim is a co-founder of the MIT Innovation Laboratory and was previously the Vice President of Global Innovation at Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. Before that, he held roles as Vice President at Pitney Bowes and Bell Atlantic (now Verizon). Jim was at the forefront of digital transformation at these large enterprises, driving innovation during periods of immense technological change, most notably in the telecommunications industry during the 80s and 90s amid the rise of the internet. In this episode, Jim discusses his new book, which explores a systematic approach for implementing Lean Startup in large organizations, and he reflects on the experiences that provided him with the courage, curiosity, and vision to drive innovation and break barriers throughout his career.

Jeff speaks to serial entrepreneur and tech legend Jim McKelvey about entrepreneurship, his founding of ‘Square,’ and his fascinating new take on innovation that emerged from that experience. Jim shares this innovation theory in his book: “Innovation Stack: Building an Unbeatable Business One Crazy Idea at a time.” Jeff and Jim also talked about his new start up “Invisibly,” Jim’s loyalty to St Louis, and what it’s like to work with Jack Dorsey. A long-time entrepreneur, Jim explains how he built his first software company out of the proceeds of his glass-blowing business. Jim’s Square story will have you on the edge of your seat! Square wasn’t just a single innovation, but instead a creative new ‘Innovation Stack’ comprised of 14 interlocking and interdependent breakthroughs. Jim touches on the importance of an emotional connection with a product and why it can make sense to spend $1 on the product and $2 on the box. Enjoy a discussion with one of the innovation legends of our time!