The Success Revenue Podcast


Are you being asked to lead AI transformation - and quietly unsure what it actually takes to get it right?

James Nicholas Kinney is the Global Chief AI Officer at INVNT and one of the most credibly earned voices at the intersection of AI, enterprise transformation, and human psychology. Triple-certified in AI from MIT, Wharton, and Carnegie Mellon, and formerly Global Chief People Officer at S4 Capital across 32 countries - James brings something rare: he's lived both sides of the equation.

This conversation cuts through the hype. James explains why 90% of AI pilots fail, what leaders keep skipping, and why trust - not technology - is the real barrier to transformation.

You'll walk away with a clearer head and a smarter framework for what actually moves the needle.

You'll learn:
  • Why most AI pilots fail before they ever touch a tool — and what leaders miss in the first 90 days
  • How to start an AI initiative without overpromising to your organization or your board
  • Why your data architecture will determine the ceiling of everything you build with AI
  • What the pivot from people leadership to technical leadership actually looks like — and the real cost of doing it right
  • How AI intersects with mental health at work, and why ignoring that connection is a leadership blind spot
  • (00:00) - The AI Landscape in Enterprises
  • (03:02) - James Kinney’s Journey and Role
  • (05:53) - The Role of a Chief AI Officer
  • (09:12) - Change Management and Adaptability in AI
  • (12:08) - Implementing AI Effectively
  • (15:04) - Building Trust and Collaboration
  • (17:51) - The Shift from People to Technology
  • (21:05) - Key Decisions for AI Transformation
  • (23:56) - AI and Mental Health
  • (26:51) - Future of AI in Enterprises
  • (29:58) - Governance and Data Readiness
  • (32:50) - Predictions for AI's Future
  • (36:07) - Rapid Fire Round

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This episode was brought to you by RevSetter & Nebelus AI.

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Hosts: 

Haydar - LinkedIn 
Ivy - LinkedIn 

Creators and Guests

Host
Haydar Al-Saad
Haydar Al-Saad is the founder and CEO of RevSetter, the Customer Success & Revenue platform that turns CS into the new revenue engine. With almost two decades of experience in building and leading customer-centric teams & organizations, I have a passion for helping companies and teams unlock the potential of every customer in order to improve retention, accelerate expansion, and fuel revenue growth.
Host
Ivy Forero

What is The Success Revenue Podcast?

The Success Revenue Podcast is a human-led, AI-powered show exploring how leaders use AI to drive business results while keeping human impact at the center. Hosted by Haydar Al-Saad and Ivy Forero, the podcast features conversations with founders, executives, and operators from around the globe who are building the future of business with AI.