Welcome back to The Power Lounge, a space dedicated to meaningful conversations with industry leaders. In today’s episode, "Empower Your Team with Responsible AI," host Amy Vaughan, Together Digital’s Chief Empowerment Officer, explores a critical challenge for digital teams: adopting AI responsibly without compromising ethical standards.
Joining Amy is Nikki Ferrell, Associate Director of Online Enrollment and Marketing Communications at Miami University. Nikki has been instrumental in launching an AI steering committee to manage the swift integration of generative AI in higher education. Together, they examine the potential risks of unmanaged AI use, the importance of establishing clear policies, and how continuous learning and experimentation can cultivate ethical and innovative teams.
Whether you’re a team leader, a business owner, or simply interested in the complexities of AI, this episode offers a practical framework for implementing technology that prioritizes people, purpose, and ethics. Gain actionable insights and hear real-world experiences right here on The Power Lounge.
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction
01:24 - AI's Impact: Unprepared Marketing Practices
05:08 - Creating AI Steering Committees
09:32 - Normalize Open AI Use at Work
14:42 - Adopting AI for Organizational Success
16:30 - Take Initiative to Lead
21:00 - Cautious Marketing on Mother's Day
25:25 - AI in Education: Gen Z & Alpha Hesitations
29:19 - "AI as Amplifying Tool"
30:55 - AI's Impact on Cognitive Skills
36:31 - AI Augments, Not Replaces, Workforce
38:30 - "Embracing Tech Amidst Red Tape"
41:45 - "Responsible AI Adoption Insights"
44:19 - AI Use Case Library Development
48:03 - Embracing AI for Strategic Future
51:01 - Exploring AI for Everyday Tasks
54:58 - AI-Assisted Strategy Development
58:51 - Subscribe for Updates & Community
59:45 - Outro
Quotes:
"Empowerment begins when we stop being afraid of new technology and start building community around it."- Amy Vaughan
"You don’t need a title to lead the way with AI—start small, learn together, and let your curiosity spark real change."- Nikki Ferrell
Key Takeaways
Start Small, Stay Grounded in Research
Policies Aren’t Optional—They Empower
Openness Overgoing Underground
You Don’t Need a Title to Lead
Align with Mission and Values
Build a Culture of Experimentation
Transparency Builds Trust (and Avoids Backlash)
AI Augments, Not Replaces
Meet People Where They Are
The Future is Collaborative
Connect with Nikki Ferrell:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nferrell/
Website:https://miamioh.edu/
Connect with the host Amy Vaughan:
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/amypvaughan
Podcast:Power Lounge Podcast - Together Digital
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