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πŸ’₯ The Biggest AI Mistake CEOs Are Making Right Now πŸ€–
Episode 54 β€’ 26th February 2026 β€’ Unlocking The AI Advantage β€’ Ramesh Dontha
00:00:00 00:25:44

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Should leaders ever let AI evaluate human performance?

Is decentralized AI the only way companies survive this transformation?

Will AI replace managers β€” or multiply the best ones?

Are top-down AI mandates killing innovation inside companies?

Can engineering teams double productivity without cutting jobs?

Is AI widening the digital divide between elite tech insiders and everyone else?

Hey there, future-focused innovators! Today, we’re unpacking one of the most important leadership conversations in the AI era. Bala Muthiah, Director of Engineering at Lyft, shares why AI strategy must be decentralized and why leaders should never delegate human-impact decisions to AI models. Discover how companies can build people-first AI cultures while navigating the rapid pace of technological change.

Explore how AI can be used as a leadership multiplier rather than a headcount reducer, highlighting the tension between executive urgency and engineering reality. This episode also covers AI leadership strategy, ethical AI adoption, engineering management, and the future of work in an automation-driven world.

Whether you're a founder, CTO, manager, AI entrepreneur, or ambitious professional navigating disruption, this conversation reveals how to stay ahead without losing the human core of leadership.

Watch now and learn how to use AI to become a better leader β€” without replacing the very people you lead.

🌟 Standout.Digital 🌟 - https://www.standout.digital/ πŸ€–πŸš€

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#ArtificialIntelligence #AILeadership #FutureOfWork #TechLeadership #DecentralizedAI #EngineeringManagement #AITransformation #HumanCenteredAI #StartupGrowth #AIEntrepreneurs #LeadershipDevelopment #AutomationStrategy

πŸ” In This Episode:

  1. [00:00] Introduction
  2. [02:18] Agenda: setting the stage for the audience.
  3. [03:20] Bala’s Philosophy on AI Strategy.
  4. [06:00] AI as a Leadership Multiplier
  5. [09:11] How do you overlay the people's first engineering culture?
  6. [11:47] How did the People-centered Leadership transition come?
  7. [13:43] AI in Mentorship: Democratizing Growth Opportunities.
  8. [18:07] What decisions do you think leaders should never delegate to AI?
  9. [20:51] AI in Leadership: Balancing Tech & Community Impact.
  10. [23:15] Using AI to Become a Better Leader.

Connect with Bala Muthiah:

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/balaarjunan/

X - https://x.com/balaarjunan

Website: https://balamuthiah.com/

Connect with Ramesh Dontha:

AI Entrepreneurs Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheAIEntrepreneurs

Follow Ramesh on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EntrepreneursAI

Connect with Ramesh on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/theaientrepreneurs/

Watch the full episode on YouTube - https://youtube.com/@AI_Entrepreneurs

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