Alan Shimel, Mike Vizard, Chris Blask, Kate Scarcella, and Futurum Group president Dan O’Brien examine the future of artificial intelligence as it enters what many describe as a new “Twilight Zone,” where ethics, autonomy, and unintended consequences are increasingly difficult to separate from innovation.
The conversation then turns to whether a growing AI “rebel alliance,” driven by open, independent, and community-led efforts, has a realistic chance of challenging today’s dominant AI platforms. The panel debates what such a shift could mean for competition, governance, and long-term innovation.
The episode concludes with a look at how IT professionals are evolving into data stewards, or “data shepherds,” as data infrastructure, governance, and quality emerge as the true foundations of successful AI adoption.