Can AI become a true high-performance team member — or is it just a digital sycophant?

In this powerful conversation, Dean of Manhattan University’s School of Engineering, AI researcher, and expert in design cognition, Kathryn Jablokow explores how cognitive diversity shapes innovation, how high-performance teams are built, and how we can train AI to challenge our thinking instead of reinforcing bias. We dive into: • What design cognition really means • Why cognitive diversity outperforms comfortable teams • How leaders can unlock hidden team potential • AI bias, sycophancy & the risks of large language models • Programming AI to think differently (not just agree with you) • Lessons from Moneyball & innovation history • Why AI isn’t the first “paradigm shift” — and what makes this one different Kathryn shares groundbreaking research on teaching AI cognitive styles so it can generate diverse perspectives on demand — helping teams avoid blind spots and improve decision-making. If you’re interested in AI, leadership, innovation, psychology, or high-performance teams, this episode is for you. 00:00 Meet Kathryn Jablokow 00:52 What Is Design Cognition 02:10 Cognition Elements Explained 03:38 Building High Performance Teams 06:22 Inclusive Team Facilitation 08:41 Comfort vs Challenge 12:52 AI as a Team Member 14:33 Modeling Cognitive Style in AI 17:39 Bias Risks and Mitigations 20:37 AI in the Arc of Innovation 25:47 Closing and Contact 👉 Subscribe for more conversations on learning, innovation, and the future of work. 👉 Links mentioned in episode https://www.forbes.com/sites/marybeth... https://www.techradar.com/pro/how-app... #AI #Innovation #Leadership #CognitiveDiversity #DesignThinking