Shifting AI From Fear to Optimism: U.S. Department of Labor’s Taylor Stockton

Shifting AI From Fear to Optimism: U.S. Department of Labor’s Taylor Stockton

Author: MIT Sloan Management Review March 24, 2026 Duration: 30:20
In this episode, Sam speaks with Taylor Stockton, chief innovation officer at the U.S. Department of Labor, about how artificial intelligence is reshaping the workforce. Taylor emphasizes that AI is having an economywide impact, transforming tasks within nearly every job rather than affecting only certain industries or specific roles. He stresses the importance of helping workers and businesses adapt. He also argues that AI literacy is becoming a foundational skill and should be prioritized alongside soft skills like relationship building, which will remain essential for differentiation in an AI-driven economy. Taylor calls for shifting the public narrative from fear to optimism, toward highlighting the ways that AI expands opportunity, mobility, and meaningful work, instead of deepening uncertainty. Read the episode transcript here. Guest bio: As the chief innovation officer of the U.S. Department of Labor, Taylor Stockton leads an exploration into how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies impact the labor market and American workers, as well as what new innovations can support workers in achieving the American dream. Stockton cofounded venture capital firm Pathway Ventures, which focuses on the future of work, and was the chief operating officer of an AI-powered workforce development company. He received his bachelor’s in management at Boston College and Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School. *Please take our listener survey: ⁠⁠⁠mitsmr.com/podcastsurvey⁠⁠⁠ It's short — we promise! — and all respondents will receive a free MIT SMR article collection, "Maximizing the Value of Generative AI." Me, Myself, and AI is a podcast produced by MIT Sloan Management Review and hosted by Sam Ransbotham. It is engineered by David Lishansky and produced by Allison Ryder. We encourage you to rate and review our show. Your comments may be used in Me, Myself, and AI materials. ME, MYSELF, AND AI® is a federally registered trademark of Massachusetts Institute of Technology. All rights reserved.  

Ever wondered how some organizations manage to turn artificial intelligence from a buzzword into a genuine engine for growth, while others struggle to move beyond the pilot phase? Me, Myself, and AI, a production from MIT Sloan Management Review, goes straight to the source to find out. Instead of theoretical discussions, this podcast features candid conversations with the people who are actually building and implementing AI systems at scale. You'll hear directly from leaders at prominent companies like YouTube, Cisco, and Hugging Face as they recount their journeys-not just the polished successes, but the real-world challenges, strategic decisions, and sometimes surprising lessons learned along the way. Each episode digs into the practicalities of creating measurable business value, cutting through the noise to reveal what effective AI leadership and integration truly look like. It’s a focused exploration for anyone in technology, business, or education who wants to understand the human and operational stories behind the algorithms. Tune in for an unvarnished look at the future being built, one practical application at a time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Me, Myself, and AI
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