134: Michael Todasco – Upskilling for AI Integration: Rethinking Work and Learning

Michael (Mike) Todasco, Visiting Fellow at the James Silberrad Brown Center for Artificial Intelligence at San Diego State University. He shares insights from driving innovation at PayPal and discusses AI-enabled opportunities for non-technical users and potential entrepreneurs, drawing parallels with earlier transformation generated by GPS access. Mike explains the need for participation, exploration, innovation, and updated education to foster creativity, adapt, and thrive in AI-integrated workplaces. He elevates humans' ingenuity and discerning of quality which complement advanced technical capabilities.

 

 

TAKEAWAYS

 

[01:55] Mike’s interest in finance starts with selling baseball cards as a child.

 

[03:03] Mike joins General Electric after a college professor talks so much about Jack Welch.

 

[04:06] Mike doesn’t get his first choice. He is sent to work on aircraft engines.

 

[04:20] The rotation program helps Mike find out all the jobs he doesn’t want to do!

 

[04:57] The lasting impression a new employer can make being nimble and scrappy.

 

[06:22] Cool tech lures Mike who starts his own venture, then joins PayPal.

 

[07:29] Working on innovation products being launched at PayPal.

 

[08:33] Mike has a game-changing meeting with a group of patent lawyers.  

 

[09:35] Brainstorming innovative products across PayPal teams, Mike develops a new skill.

 

[10:21] Innovation is stimulated by asking good questions and building on each other’s ideas.

 

[11:08] Generating new ideas by imagining what if resources weren’t an issue.

 

[11:57] An innovation use case taking a completely different perspective.

 

[13:40] Mike is captivated by the potential of AI particularly because he cannot code.

 

[14:39] Mike recognizes the magical possibilities of AI and becomes obsessed!

 

[16:28] Using the GPS example to try and project what AI might generate in future.

 

[18:49] Mike shares his mother’s ER experience to illustrate how we might integrate AI support.

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