Peter Olson-Skog - How AI Is Forcing Schools to Rethink Learning

Peter Olson-Skog - How AI Is Forcing Schools to Rethink Learning

Author: Justin Grammens January 20, 2026 Duration: 39:28
Today, we're talking with Dr. Peter Olson-Skog. Peter is the Chief Administrative Officer of School District 197. He was named a Richard Green Scholar for his doctoral research, which described how district offices can support and empower principals. He's also been an assistant superintendent, principal, and director of teaching and learning. Peter holds a BA in elementary education, an MA in human resource development, and a PhD in educational leadership and policy. Most recently, Peter has...

Justin Grammens hosts Conversations on Applied AI, a podcast that moves past theoretical discussions to focus on the practical integration of artificial intelligence into our daily work and industries. Alongside the team at Emerging Technologies North, Justin sits down with practitioners and experts who are actively building and deploying AI and deep learning solutions. The dialogue in each episode centers on tangible use cases, exploring the challenges, ethical considerations, and measurable outcomes encountered when these technologies meet real-world problems. You'll hear concrete stories from the field, whether it's about optimizing a supply chain, improving diagnostic tools in healthcare, or transforming customer service interactions. This isn't about futuristic speculation; it's a grounded look at the tools and strategies that are making a difference right now. The goal is to provide listeners with insights that are directly applicable, offering a clearer understanding of how AI functions outside the lab and within the complexities of actual business environments. Tune in for a straightforward, no-hype conversation that demystifies applied artificial intelligence and highlights the human expertise behind its implementation.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Conversations on Applied AI
Podcast Episodes
Rajeev Bukralia - Applying AI to the Right Problem at the Right Time [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:59
The conversation this week is with Rajeev Bukralia. Rajeev holds the position of a tenured associate professor and the graduate coordinator in the Department of Computer Information Science at Minnesota State University,…
Pete Edstrom - Using AI in Your Product and Educational Journey [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:47
The conversation this week is with Peter Edstrom. Peter is a proactive, methodical leader and team player with 24 years of software experience, adept at building teams and fostering organizational alignment to solve comp…
Donna Herbel - Your Path to Becoming an AI Tech Hobbyist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:19
The conversation this week is with Donna Herbel. Donna is the founder and chief igniter of Blue Phoenix Learning, where she provides speaking, training, coaching, and consulting services on the topics of leadership, usin…
Jim Wilt - Using AI to Make a Difference in How You Work [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:27
The conversation this week is with Jim Wilt. Jim is a technology executive focused on innovations in aerospace, manufacturing, health, fintech, and retail, just to name a few. Today he focuses, though, on generative AI,…
Andy Carroll - Healthcare: The Perfect Storm for Disruption by AI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:00
The conversation this week is with Andy Carroll. Andy is not your typical chief commercial officer. He is a Six Sigma Black Belt and is just as comfortable getting into the weeds for process improvement as he is using sy…
Jody Carey - The Future of Copywriting, Education, and the Workplace [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 37:12
The conversation this week is with Jody Carey. Jody says in her LinkedIn profile: “You can call me a copywriter or content writer or the person you need when you need words. Words that help you educate your audience, sel…
Will Preble - Creating Heart-Centered Technology [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:08
The conversation this week is with Will Preble. Will is a media and tech entrepreneur passionate about the intersection of Web3 and human potential. He believes the world needs strong, empathetic, and holistically minded…
David Espindola - What AI Means to Us as Human Beings [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 40:29
The conversation this week is with David Epsindola. David is an entrepreneur, futurist, keynote speaker, award-winning author, consultant, and advisor to businesses, nonprofits, and academia. He founded Brainyus, a compa…
Jenny Zhang - How AI Can Help Creators and Influencers Succeed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:07
The conversation this week is with Jenny Zhang, otherwise known as Jay-Z. Jenny has been a senior AI product manager who has launched machine learning products for Capital One, which saved more than a hundred million dol…