In this episode, Dan Makoski explores how AI is more than technology; it’s a mirror of our values. Discover how design leaders can balance technical progress with human intelligence, ethics, and inclusion to shape more meaningful, human-centered systems.
We often reduce artificial intelligence to two letters: AI. But what about the intelligence behind the artificial?
In this episode of the Design Executive Podcast, Gordon Ching is joined by Dan Makoski, Chief Design Advisor & Fmr. Chief Design Officer at UnitedHealth Group, who reframes the AI conversation by focusing on what’s too often ignored, the human side of intelligence. He challenges design leaders to look beyond technical progress and ask deeper questions: What does it mean to be intelligent, conscious, or simply useful?
From the jargon of banking and tech systems to the culture of optimization and automation, Dan highlights how AI reflects our systemic values and exposes where they fall short. AI isn’t just a tool; it’s a mirror and a test of what we value.
This episode is a provocation to leaders: to reflect on the tradeoffs, navigate the tensions, and bring balance to AI decision-making so technology serves people first.
