Building AI Boston – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Building AI Boston, co-hosts Anna Devere and Kara Peterson sit down with Jenn Azar, CEO of Stellix, a visionary leader helping accelerate innovation at the intersection of science, technology, and human ingenuity. They explore how AI, digital transformation, and Industry 5.0 are reshaping the future of life sciences and drug discovery—from advanced manufacturing to personalized medicine—and how leaders can guide teams through change with empathy, humor, and purpose. Highlights: • How Industry 5.0 is bridging discovery and delivery in life sciences • The digital acceleration of drug discovery and biomanufacturing • Building adaptive, curious teams in a rapidly changing world • Why technology should create more space for human creativity • What it takes to lead with optimism and resilience amid transformation AI isn’t just transforming industry—it’s redefining how science moves from the lab to life. 🌐 BuildingAIBoston.com 🎧 Listen on Spotify 🎥 Watch on YouTube 💼 Learn more about Stellix: https://www.stellix.com 👥 Follow co-hosts: Anna Devere | Kara Peterson #BuildingAIBoston, #AI, #Industry5_0, #DigitalTransformation, #LifeSciencesInnovation, #DrugDiscovery, #Biomanufacturing, #Stellix, #JennAzar, #HumanCenteredAI, #AIinBiotech, #FutureOfWork, #TechWithPurpose, #WomenInAI, #AIBoston, #LeadershipInAI, #ScienceAndTechnology, #AIForGood, #InnovationPodcast, #BostonTech

🎙️ New Episode: Building Future Innovators In this episode of Building AI Boston, co-hosts Anna Devere and Kara Peterson sit down with Charlotte Duncan, Chief Learning Officer at the Mark Cuban Foundation and Harvard-trained educator. They explore how AI is transforming the way students learn — and why empowering the next generation with ethical, creative, and hands-on AI experience matters more than ever.Highlights:     •    Learning vs. teaching — why students need both in the AI era     •    The next digital divide: empowered AI users vs. everyone else     •    How the Mark Cuban Foundation’s free AI bootcamps work (mentors, projects, real-world skills)    •    Why human connection and communication will define the future workforce     •    How students are already building real AI solutions — including a TIME “Kid of the Year” alumAI isn’t just reshaping technology — it’s reshaping education, opportunity, and the future of work. #BuildingAIBoston #AI #EdTech #MarkCubanFoundation #Innovation #BostonAI #BostonTech

Join us for an inspiring episode of Building AI Boston as we sit down with Onur Yüce Gün, Director of Computational Design at New Balance and a trailblazer at the intersection of architecture, AI, and product innovation. In this episode, Onur shares his journey from academia to architecture, and how his passion for parametric design, generative systems, and computation led him to revolutionize footwear design at New Balance. Discover how AI is driving creative exploration, performance optimization, and storytelling in product development, and why the future of design is more human because of it. Connect with Onur Yüce Gün 🔗 https://www.linkedin.com/in/onuryucegun/ 🔗 https://onuryucegun.com About the Show Building AI Boston brings you into the minds of the leaders shaping the future of artificial intelligence, design, and innovation, all from the city known as the "Silicon Valley of the East." Hosted by Anna Devere Powered by WCRN | Spotify | YouTube

Join Allison Byers, founder and CEO of Scroobious, as she delves into the challenges and solutions surrounding equitable access to capital for underrepresented entrepreneurs. Drawing from her extensive experience in the startup ecosystem, Allison discusses the systemic barriers that diverse founders face and how innovative platforms like Scroobious are working to bridge the funding gap. In this insightful conversation, Allison shares: Her personal journey from leading a medical device startup to becoming a passionate advocate for funding equity. The inspiration behind Scroobious and its mission to democratize access to early-stage capital. Practical advice for founders navigating the fundraising landscape. Strategies for investors to discover and support high-potential, underrepresented startups. Discover how redefining success beyond traditional venture capital metrics can lead to a more inclusive and prosperous entrepreneurial ecosystem. 🔗 Learn more about Scroobious: https://www.scroobious.com 📌 Connect with Allison Byers: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/allison-byers/ Beta Reader: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfhqKXsMsw7XDS6WYd5a9C2G7dKEzoP9NYuZ2l0bRg1N9L7Eg/formResponse #EquitableCapital #StartupFunding #DiversityInTech #AllisonByers #Scroobious #Entrepreneurship #InclusiveInnovation

Can you really launch an AI-driven product in a few hours with no code? Karen Kelly says yes — and she’s on a mission to prove it. In this episode of Building AI Boston, we dive deep with Karen Kelly, a 3x founder, TEDx speaker, and marketing visionary whose career has spanned healthcare, media, and technology. With over 20 years of experience and a passion for imagination, connection, and compassion, Karen is helping non-technical founders build real, scalable products with her newest venture: Launch by Lunch. From being named one of Boston’s “50 on Fire” startups to speaking at Startup Boston and being featured in AdAge, Karen has consistently challenged the limits of what's possible — and now she’s unlocking the future of no-code AI. 👉 Visit Karen’s no-code accelerator: https://launchbylunch.co 👉 Connect with her team: https://www.linkedin.com/company/launch-by-lunch-no-code

In this episode, we sit down with visionary creator Jason Parks, CEO of ROTU Entertainment & Media, Ltd., to explore how art, empathy, and AI are shaping the future of immersive experiences. From the creation of narrative-driven virtual worlds to pioneering AI in game development and storytelling, Jason reveals how ROTU is pushing the boundaries of tech, culture, and consciousness. 🌐 Learn more about ROTU: https://www.rotu.com 🔗 Follow Jason Parks on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jasonparksrotu 👾 Whether you're fascinated by the metaverse, XR/VR, AI-enhanced storytelling, or how Boston continues to lead the way in innovation, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss. 💬 Leave a comment below — What immersive experience do you think AI will create next? 🔖 Hashtags: #BuildingAIBoston #JasonParks #ROTU #Metaverse #ImmersiveStorytelling #AIInnovation #VirtualReality #XR #GameDevelopment #BostonTech #FutureOfEntertainment #ArtificialIntelligence #TechVisionary #AICreativity

Can robots really understand us? Dr. Tom Williams believes they must. In this cutting-edge episode of Building AI Boston, we sit down with Dr. Tom Williams, Associate Professor of Computer Science at the Colorado School of Mines and director of the MIRROR Lab (Mines Interactive Robotics Research in Human-Robot Teaming). His groundbreaking work explores how robots interpret human communication—and how that shapes our trust in AI. From the ethics of autonomous agents to real-world applications of cognitive robotics, Dr. Williams offers a visionary look into how we can build artificial intelligence that’s not just smart—but socially and emotionally aware. 🔹 Learn about the future of human-robot teaming 🔹 Discover why transparency in AI matters 🔹 Explore how language, empathy, and trust define next-gen robotics 🎓 More about Dr. Tom Williams and the MIRROR Lab: https://mirrorlab.mines.edu 🌆 Boston is the future of AI. Be part of the conversation.

AI Avenger: Exploring Creativity and Innovation with King Willonius In this episode titled "AI Avenger," we delve into the multifaceted world of King Willonius—comedian, filmmaker, technologist, and the creative mind behind the viral AI-generated song "BBL Drizzy." Recognized as one of TIME's 100 Most Influential People in AI, King Willonius shares his journey at the crossroads of comedy, technology, and cultural storytelling. Key Highlights: • The Genesis of "BBL Drizzy": Discover how King Willonius crafted the first AI-collaborated song that became a cultural phenomenon. • Embracing AI in Creative Processes: Insights into how AI tools have revolutionized content creation, enabling artists to dream bigger and produce more efficiently. • Manifesting Success: A candid discussion on the power of belief, resilience, and the art of manifesting one's aspirations. Connect with King Willonius: Official Website: kingwillonius.com YouTube Channel: @KingWillonius Instagram: @kingwillonius Spotify: King Willonius on Spotify Apple Music: King Willonius on Apple Music Hashtags: #KingWillonius #BBLDrizzy #AI #Comedy #Music #Innovation #AIAvenger

In this episode, we sit down with the visionary Amanda Dorenberg, President of Billboard Canada and a powerhouse in AI, data innovation, and digital transformation. From shaping smart cities to reinventing how we experience advertising and media, Amanda is at the forefront of merging artificial intelligence with real-world impact. 🚀 Discover how she’s leveraging AI to reimagine out-of-home advertising, empower urban development, and champion diversity in tech leadership. 🔍 Topics we cover: Data-driven innovation in public spaces Women in tech and leadership How Amanda is turning data into dynamic storytelling The future of cities, media, and intelligence 📌 Learn more about Amanda Dorenberg: 🌐 https://www.amandadorenberg.com 📈 Billboard Canada: https://www.billboardcanada.ca 📷 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amandadorenberg 💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amandadorenberg 🎧 Subscribe for more conversations with AI leaders and innovators shaping the future of Boston and beyond. 👉 Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for updates! 🔔 Hit the bell so you never miss an episode!

In this episode of Building AI Boston, you will meet a true Boston Gamechanger, Bobbie Carlton, founder of Carlton PR & Marketing, Innovation Nights and Innovation Women. What You’ll Discover in This Episode: An overview of Innovation Women and how it overcomes the gender bias in the high-tech community Bobbie’s approach to ethical AI as a PR and Marketing Professional Why being a creative human is still important An inspiring conversation around succeeding in male-dominated fields This episode represents the spirit of a Boston legend who’s soft spot for the under-served and under-represented makes her a Boston Business Journal Woman to Watch. Like, comment, and subscribe to Building AI Boston for more episodes featuring the pioneers shaping the future of AI in Boston—and beyond!