S2.EP67 - Let's Help People Be Better With Data w/Pedro Arellano, CEO at Wallabi

In this episode of Black Belts and Boardrooms, hosts Amir Khawaja and Renard Henry talk with Pedro Arellano, CEO of Wallaby, about what it really takes to make AI useful, trustworthy, and valuable. Drawing on nearly 30 years in data, analytics, and enterprise technology—including leadership roles at MicroStrategy, Tableau, Salesforce, and Google—Pedro explains why AI initiatives should start with a strong data foundation, not just a new model. He shares practical examples, including how AI-supported work could help reduce a complex quoting process from four or five days to under a minute, and why a traditional SQL solution can sometimes be a better fit than machine learning. In this conversation, you’ll hear about: Why data readiness is the foundation of successful AI adoption How to think about AI’s return on investment The difference between using AI to improve efficiency and using it to create new growth How to build sensible governance without stopping experimentation Why AI should augment people rather than replace human judgment The importance of critical thinking and a human review step Pedro also discusses how organizations can help employees experiment safely, where AI should—and shouldn’t—interact with customers, and why people and culture are often the hardest parts of adopting new technology. If you’re a leader figuring out how to bring AI into your organization responsibly and effectively, this episode offers a grounded perspective on where to begin. Follow us on all socials and streaming platforms Renard Henry linkedin.com/in/renardhenry Amir Khawaja linkedin.com/in/amirkhawaja Instagram https://www.instagram.com/blackbeltsa... Spotify open.spotify.com/show/6BHcRd0dK1KUZtcMEhkz32?si=8NbIVn0RQZevwi7wzZS3kg Amazon Music music.amazon.com/podcasts/0fab1939-b78b-4e89-a508-8e629268a26e/black-belts-and-boardrooms Apple Podcast podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/black-belts-and-boardrooms/id1814129333 iHeart Radio iheart.com/podcast/275554302 #Blackbelts #Executiveleadership #Leaders #podcast #jiujitsu #boardroom #corporateexecutives #continousimprovement #shorts #AI