Electric Mindset

Season 2 of Electric Mindset is here. And we're kicking it off with one of the biggest questions in enterprise AI right now: how do you actually get value from it?

Most organizations know they need to do something with AI. Fewer know what that something should be. Even fewer are measuring whether it's working.

In this episode, host Dave Manley talks with Keith Shiner, Engineering Lead Partner at Electric Mind, and Dan Adamson, CEO & Co-Founder of AutoAlign AI, about the gap between AI hype and AI impact inside large organizations. The conversation covers what separates companies that are getting real returns from the ones still stuck in pilot mode, and why leadership buy-in means more than signing off on a budget.

What you'll hear:

• Why the winners in AI transformation aren't chasing tools, they're asking better questions
• What "fail fast" actually looks like when there's real money on the table
• How to measure ROI in terms your board will care about
• The culture shift that has to happen before any technology can stick

This isn't a conversation about what AI could do someday. It's about what's working now, what's not, and what to do about it.

Contact us:

Dan Adamson:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/danadamson/

Keith Shiner:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/keithshiner/

Dave Manley:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dmmanley/

Payments innovation impacts us all—but most of us rarely think about what happens behind the tap or transfer. In this Season 1 bonus episode of Electric Mindset, our host Nick Dyment sat down with Alex Achtemichuk and Eric Lombardi to unpack the transformation reshaping Canada’s financial system.

From the future of real-time rails to the rise of agentic AI, the conversation revealed that payments modernization isn’t a one-and-done event—it’s an ongoing journey requiring constant investment, scale, and curiosity. Alex Achtemichuk put it succinctly: the financial institutions agile enough to harness structured data and AI are poised to pull ahead, while Eric Lombardi reminded us that smaller players can now leapfrog incumbents by building around nimble architectures and next-gen tools.

If you’re building in fintech or rethinking business strategy, remember: sustainable advantage comes from focusing on what makes your experience unique, while leveraging partners to take care of the complex infrastructure. And as the barriers to entry drop, success will belong to those who embrace learning, humility, and bold execution—no matter the market climate.

Curious about how to adapt your roadmap or where Canada stands on the global innovation stage? Reach out and let’s keep the conversation going. In a world that’s only getting more complex, there’s never been a better time to stay curious and build something future-ready.

Contact us here:

Electric Mind: https://www.electricmind.com/contact

Eric Lombardi:

Change isn’t about the newest tool. It’s about people, timing, and making every move matter.

In episode 4, Gen AI in Canadian Banks, Nick Dyment and Lauren Bergstrom talk about transformation inside some of Canada’s largest banks, about what really drives change that sticks.

Lauren’s take? Shiny tech doesn’t get you far without the basics. Transformation only works when people are ready. That means clear ownership, teams trained for new workflows, and governance that scales with innovation.

As Gen AI quietly reshapes everything from operations to branch support, Lauren breaks down the real work behind the scenes: clean data, realistic cost models, and involving the people the tech is meant to support. No shortcuts. Just smart program design, real testing, and feedback loops that turn pilots into progress.

Working through change in your world? Lauren’s playbook is a reminder: transformation is successful when people are part of the plan from day one.

Want to go deeper on frameworks that work? Let’s talk.

00:00 "Transferable Skills from Art to Consulting"

05:54 Avoid Last-Minute Project Panic

08:43 Gen AI Transforming Bank Operations

10:28 Data Transformation for AI Readiness

14:44 Bank Governance Enhances Tech Alignment

18:33 Accelerating Development with AI Tools

20:16 Evolving Code Management with LLMs

24:47 Chatbots Enhance Branch Efficiency

29:29 Optimizing Team AI Interactions

30:49 Inclusive Design in Business Pilots

36:42 Transformative AI in Banking Operations

41:13 Balancing Efficiency and Oversight Costs

42:27 Gen AI in Bank Project Management

45:39 Gen AI Myth Debunking

Remote work isn’t just a trend. It’s shaping a new era of collaboration and productivity. In the latest episode of Electric Mindset, host Nick Dyment welcomed Edward Philip, a technologist, musician, and bona fide AI whiz, to explore how organizations are adapting to this transformation.

Edward shared real stories from leading virtual-first startups through the upheaval of lockdown, redesigning culture and trust for distributed teams across the globe. From implementing AI-driven developer workflows to pioneering virtual spaces where colleagues can “roast marshmallows” by a virtual fire, his experience proves that embracing the right tools is only half the battle.

The most impactful change? Shifting from a culture of visibility to one of trust and outcomes, empowering teams with flexibility and holding space for true connection, even from a distance.

Edward reminds us: AI tools open the door, but unleashing real productivity means championing digital literacy and reimagining how we lead. The future of work is limitless for those bold enough to rethink the rules.

If you’re navigating hybrid or remote work or wrestling with how AI fits into your team’s daily flow, let’s connect. We’re always here to trade stories and share practical playbooks for the next chapter of work.

01:31 Tech Gloves Transform DJ Experience

07:06 Transition to Flexible Work Model

09:30 "Embracing Flexible Work Options"

12:39 "Optimizing Hybrid Interactive Spaces"

15:13 Embracing Remote Work Benefits

18:18 Evaluating Text Generation Accuracy

22:16 Shadow IT and Software Standardization

24:20 AI-Assisted Coding Solutions

29:37 AI Scheduling Errors Concerns

33:21 "AI-Assisted RFP Code Generation"

35:09 Flexible Work and Family Balance

40:33 AI Agents in Future Workplaces

42:16 Agent Communication Beyond Built APIs

46:44 Vibe Coding's Responsibility Dilemma

50:14 AI's Workforce Impact Explored

51:06 Rapid Evolution of AI Models

54:08 Passionate Pursuits in Modern Music

57:24 "Rayban Metas: Embracing Virtual Reality"