S6 - E2: Gaurav Gupta, Managing Director of R & D - Kotter

Episode Summary: In this episode of the PIO Podcast, Robert interviews Gaurav Gupta, head of R&D at Kotter, discussing the transformative role of AI in public information and communication. Gaurav shares insights on generative AI's impact on content creation, the importance of effective communication strategies, and the need for transparency in AI usage. They explore the challenges posed by misinformation, the need to reskill the workforce, and the importance of aligning AI tools with agency strategies. The conversation emphasizes that AI should be viewed as an enabler of change rather than a replacement for human roles, underscoring the importance of leadership and adaptability in navigating the evolving AI landscape.

Gaurav's BIO: GAURAV GUPTA has been helping organizations and individuals unleash potential and maximize business outcomes for over 20 years.  His expertise is in change leadership and strategy execution.  By combining thinking from behavioral science, leadership development, and strategy implementation, he has advised leaders on their most important business initiatives across industries as diverse as finance, healthcare, extraction, oil and gas, and chemicals.  Having worked in over 10 countries, Gaur3av draws on extensive global experience in collaborating with leaders to develop and implement new ways of working in their organizations. Gaurav is the head of R+D at Kotter and collaborates with Dr. John Kotter, the world-renowned expert on change and leadership, to develop the most successful approaches to create large-scale change and greater adaptability.  Gaurav is the co-author of the book Change: How Organizations Achieve Hard-to-Imagine Results in Uncertain and Volatile Times.  Gaurav represents Kotter through speaking engagements, consulting, and facilitated learning events.  Gaurav also co-founded Ka Partners, a firm established to help growing startups perform better through greater employee engagement, more efficient resource utilization, and better decision-making. Gaurav has delivered keynote addresses for corporate clients and at various conferences.  He has published numerous articles, including in HBR, MIT Sloan Review, and Forbes, and has been quoted in publications like The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, and USA Today. He holds a Master of Science in Aerospace Engineering from Cornell University and a Bachelor’s degree in Physics from Middlebury College, where he graduated summa cum laude.