Episode 1: The CEO's AI Mandate: Why Tech Literacy is Non-Negotiable

Why AI Initiatives Fail — Leadership, Strategy, and the Future of BusinessDespite massive investment in AI, most initiatives fail to deliver real business value. In the debut episode of Convergence, co-hosts Lauren Hawker Zafer and Faisal Hoque reveal why the biggest barrier isn’t the technology — it’s leadership.Drawing from Faisal’s Fast Company article, “AI Tech Literacy Is No Longer Optional,” this episode provides a practical framework for leaders navigating AI strategy, digital transformation, and modern business challenges.You’ll learn:Why understanding the architectural makeup of your organization is more important than knowing how to code.How to distinguish between analytical, generative, and agentic AI to solve the right problems.How to avoid the “expert trap” of delegating critical decisions without business context.Whether you’re leading a multinational corporation, a scale-up, or a small team, this episode gives you actionable insights to transform AI from a costly experiment into a strategic competitive advantage.Quick Jump:00:00 Welcome & Convergence Podcast Mission 01:00 Why AI Initiatives Fail Despite Investment02:20 Leadership’s Role in AI Value 03:30 Understanding AI Types: Analytical, Generative, Agentic 05:00 AI Tech Literacy: A CEO Imperative 06:30 AI’s Cultural & Business Impact 08:00 Building Effective AI Teams 09:30 Industry, Not Size: The Real Factor in Tech Literacy 11:00 The “Four AI Horsemen” & Avoiding Misapplication 12:30 The Expert Trap: Delegation vs. Direction 14:00 Aligning Business & Technology for Value 16:00 Partnering with Vendors and Third Parties 18:00 Breaking the Echo Chamber: Cross-Disciplinary AI Teams 20:00 Human Connection vs. Automation in AI Deployment 22:00 Final Thoughts: Lifelong Learning for LeadersConvergence: The Signature Series The lines between technology, business, and humanity are blurring. In a world of constant disruption, success is no longer about mastering one domain — it’s about navigating the pivotal intersections where they converge.Join Lauren Hawker Zafer and Faisal Hoque for Convergence, the series that deconstructs the complex forces shaping our future. Based on hands-on experience, research, and publications, each episode provides actionable frameworks and candid insights on humanity, business, ethics, transformation, AI, modern leadership, governance, sustainable growth, and philosophy.

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