Description

Is AI helping your business grow or quietly putting it at risk?

In this episode of the Executive Connect Podcast, Melissa Aarskaug sits down with Dr. Ayesha Khanna, one of the world’s leading voices on artificial intelligence, ethics, and human-centered innovation. Ayesha explains why AI is not a strategy but an accelerant, and why leaders must start with purpose, governance, and trust before adopting new tools.

This conversation explores how ethical AI actually drives growth, why replacing humans with automation backfires, and how the smartest companies use AI to reduce burnout, strengthen teams, and build long-term trust with customers. From global policy to real-world business examples, this episode offers a clear framework for leaders navigating AI without losing their humanity.

Watch more in our Tech Leadership & The AI Revolution playlist:
http://bit.ly/46rlY7R

What You’ll Learn:

• Why AI without a clear problem creates more risk, not results
• The difference between efficiency-driven AI and growth-driven AI
• How human-centered AI protects trust, talent, and customers
• What ethical AI governance looks like in real organizations
• How companies like IKEA use AI without replacing human value
• Why adaptability and mindset matter more than technical skill
• How AI can reduce burnout instead of increasing pressure
• What leaders must prepare for as AI agents become mainstream

Episode highlights:
(0:00) AI Is Not a Strategy
(2:48) Why Human-Centered AI Matters
(5:45) The Biggest AI Mistake CEOs Make
(7:34) Growth Mindset vs Efficiency Thinking
(9:57) How Companies Use AI the Right Way
(12:27) AI Governance and Guardrails
(14:55) Human Skills That Matter Most
(18:51) AI, Burnout, and the Future of Work
(21:07) Closing Thoughts on Ethical AI

Dr. Ayesha Khanna is a globally recognized AI expert, entrepreneur, and CEO of Addo, helping businesses leverage AI for growth. With 20+ years in digital transformation, she advises Fortune 500 CEOs and serves on global boards. A thought leader in AI,  Dr. Khanna has been recognized as a groundbreaking entrepreneur by Forbes, named Edelman’s Top 50 AI Creators (2025), featured in Salesforce’s 16 AI Influencers to Know (2024) and - most recently - honored with the Her World Hello Possibilities Award in recognition of her impact in empowering women and society through innovative use of technology. Committed to diversity in tech, she founded the charity 21C Girls, which taught thousands of students the basics of AI and coding in Singapore, and currently supports mid-career women in tech through her education company, Amplify.

Connect with Dr. Ayesha Khanna
Web: https://www.ayeshakhanna.com/
Listen to hear podcast: https://www.aiacrossborders.co/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ayeshakhanna/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/ayeshakhanna/

Connect with Executive Connect:
Website → https://www.executiveconnectexperience.com/
YouTube →    / @executiveconnect  
Newsletter → https://www.executiveconnectexperience.com/newsletter/
LinkedIn →   / my-executive-connect