ChatADS host Daniel Truesdale sits down with Natalia Elezovic, Senior AI Engineer at Bank of America working on Erica for Employees, for a conversation exploring how to solve AI problems at scale, the next bottlenecks in the AI space, the skillsets that matter, how to build an AI strategy across industries, and where we're at with AGI.

Natalia's career has evolved from hands-on model performance and management to leadership and mentorship, stakeholder management, and AI governance, giving her a front-row view of the patterns that separate AI initiatives that scale from those that stall, and how that's reshaping hiring and team-building decisions as roles shift.

Whether you're a young professional navigating the AI industry right now, building an AI strategy for a single team, or scaling one across an entire organization, this conversation offers a clear-eyed, insider's read on where the real leverage is now, and where it's headed next.

Learn more about Natalia and explore her work and writing at: https://nataliaelezovic.com/

In this episode of ChatADS, Daniel sits down with DuJuan Smith, Director of Student Affairs for the UChicago's MS in Applied Data Science program, for a conversation that goes far beyond higher education. DuJuan reflects on the experiences that shaped his approach to leadership, from discovering the transformative power of college, to studying abroad in Ghana, sailing around the world with Semester at Sea, and leading through the uncertainty of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Together, they explore why curiosity, community, and critical thinking matter more than ever in the age of AI. DuJuan shares how he approaches AI as a thought partner, one that helps generate ideas, uncover blind spots, and expand perspectives without replacing the uniquely human work of critical thinking, relationship building, and making informed decisions.

What does it take to build a successful career in AI beyond technical skills?

In this episode of ChatADS, Daniel sits down with Jenny Schmidt, founder of J Schmidt Consulting and instructor for the University of Chicago's MS in Applied Data Science Career Seminar, to discuss how students and professionals can stand out in today's rapidly evolving job market.

Jenny shares practical advice on networking, navigating career transitions, developing executive presence, embracing ambiguity, and using AI as a tool without losing your unique voice. Jenny and Daniel also explore why emotional intelligence, curiosity, and communication have become some of the most valuable skills in the age of AI.

Whether you're looking for your first data science role, pivoting careers, or preparing for leadership, this conversation is full of actionable insights to help you grow.