How do you lead when AI is changing everything about how we work? Mike Todasco, former Senior Director of Innovation at PayPal and Visiting Fellow at the SDSU AI Lab, talks about what it really takes to build an AI-first organization. Mike shares hard-won lessons from running innovation inside Paypal, why most teams get stuck in “pilot hell,” and how leaders can build a culture that embraces experimentation instead of fearing it.Mark and Mike also explore the human side of tech leadership: creativity, curiosity, adaptability, and how to stay grounded as AI accelerates. From PayPal’s innovation tournaments to the future of work and the rise of solopreneurs augmented by AI, this episode gives CTOs and tech leaders a clear, practical view of what’s coming, and how to prepare.Chapters00:00 Who Is Mike Todasco? 02:42 What AI-First Really Means for Companies 04:32 How Leaders Can Drive AI Adoption 07:56 Inside PayPal’s Innovation Culture 15:31 Getting Executive Buy-In for Innovation 21:06 The Leadership Skills That Matter in the AI Era 32:42 The Future of Work: Humans + AI 39:43 When AI Feels Overwhelming (Mike’s Advice) About MichaelMichael Todasco is the former Senior Director of Innovation at PayPal, where he spent over a decade leading initiatives to design, test, and scale disruptive ideas across the company. He is currently a Visiting Fellow at San Diego State University’s Artificial Intelligence Lab, where he explores the intersection of AI, creativity, and the future of work. In addition, he is pursuing his MFA in Creative Writing at Johns Hopkins University, blending his passion for storytelling with his expertise in technology. A frequent speaker and writer on AI, innovation, and creativity, Michael helps audiences rethink how to stay relevant and human in a rapidly changing world.Books Referenced• "How to Win Friends and Influence People" by Dale CarnegieWhere to find Michael• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/todasco/• Website: https://todasco.lovable.app/

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