“Learning AI isn’t just about acquiring a new skill… it’s about unlocking the power to fundamentally reshape how our organizations work.” – Stephan Neck

In this episode of SPCs Unleashed, the hosts — Stephan, Mark, and Niko — share their personal AI learning journeys and reflect on what it means for practitioners and leaders to engage with this fast-evolving space.

They emphasize that learning AI isn’t only about technical skills — it’s a shift in mindset. Curiosity, humility, and experimentation are essential. From late-night “AI holes” to backlog strategies for learning, the discussion highlights both the excitement and overwhelm of navigating an exponential learning curve. The hosts also explore how to structure an AI learning roadmap with projects, fundamentals, and experiments. The episode closes with reflections on non-determinism in AI: its creative spark, its risks, and the reminder that “AI won’t replace you, but someone who masters AI will.”

1. Anchor AI learning in real problems. Mark emphasized: “Have a problem you’re trying to solve… so that every time you go and learn something, you’re learning it so you can achieve that thing better.”

2. Treat AI as a sparring partner, not a servant. Niko showed how ChatGPT improved his writing in both German and English — not by doing the work for him, but by challenging him to refine and think differently.

3. Use a backlog to manage your AI learning journey. The hosts compared learning AI to managing a portfolio — prioritization, focus, and backlog management are key to avoiding overwhelm.

4. Don’t get stuck on hype or deep math too early. Both Niko and Mark stressed that experimentation and practical application matter more in the early stages than diving into theory or chasing hype cycles.

5. Practice humility and collaboration. Stephan underlined that acknowledging blind spots and working with peers who bring complementary strengths is critical for sustainable growth.

The AI learning journey is less about chasing the latest tools and more about reshaping how we think, collaborate, and experiment. For practitioners, leaders, and change agents, the real challenge is balancing curiosity with focus, hype with fundamentals, and individual learning with collective growth. As the hosts remind us, mastery doesn’t come from endlessly consuming content — it comes from applying AI thoughtfully, with humility, intent, and a willingness to learn in public.

By treating AI as a partner and structuring your learning with intent, you not only future-proof your skills but also strengthen your impact as a leader in the age of AI.

“If you're not thinking about an agent being a part of every conversation, something’s wrong with you.” – Mark Richards

Season 3 of SPCs Unleashed opens with a subtle shift. While the podcast continues to serve the SAFe community, the crew is broadening the conversation to explore how AI is disrupting agile practices. In this kickoff, hosts Mark Richards, Niko Kaintantzis, Ali Hajou, and Stephan Neck take on a provocative question: what happens to user stories in a world of AI-generated prototypes, specs, and conversations?

The debate highlights tension between tradition and transformation. User stories have long anchored agile communication, but the panel asks if they still serve their purpose when AI can generate quality outputs faster than humans. Their conclusion: the form may change, but the intent — empathy, alignment, and feedback — remains essential.

1. AI exposes weaknesses. Most backlogs already contain poor-quality “stories” that are tasks in disguise. AI could multiply the problem if used lazily, but also raise the bar by forcing clarity.

2. Feedback speed is the game-changer. Tools like Replit, Lovable, and GPT-5 enable instant prototyping, turning vague ideas into testable experiments in hours.

3. From stories to executable briefs. Stephan notes prompts may become agile’s new “H1 tag”: precise instructions that orchestrate human–AI swarms.

4. Context and craftsmanship still matter. AI cannot intuit the problem space. Human product thinking — empathy, vision, and long-term orientation — remains vital.

5. User stories may fade, intent will not. Mark sees classic stories as obsolete, but clear communication and shared focus endure.

This episode signals a turning point: SPCs Unleashed is no longer just about scaling frameworks — it’s about confronting how AI reshapes agile fundamentals. The verdict? User stories may not survive intact, but the practices of fast feedback, empathy, and shared understanding are more important than ever. Coaches and leaders must now help teams integrate AI as a collaborator, not a crutch.

“At some point you’ve got to look at a set of risks and say, how do we feel about our overall stance?” — Mark Richards

In this episode of SPCs Unleashed, hosts Mark Richards, Niko Kaintantzis, and Stephan Neck unpack the complexity of risk management in SAFe. Too often, risk management is reduced to ROAMing during PI Planning. While useful, ROAMing is only a starting point. The discussion centers on the continuum — from identifying risks to shaping an organizational risk posture that balances ownership, experimentation, and resilience.

The hosts explore who owns risk, how unforeseen disruptions like COVID expose organizational resilience, and why AI both enables and complicates risk management. The message is clear: effective risk management requires more than visibility. It demands ownership, accountability, and a proactive stance across all levels of SAFe.

1. Think in terms of risk posture first Instead of obsessing over individual risks, ask: What is our overall stance? This broader view helps leaders balance tradeoffs and set expectations.
2. ROAMing is only the beginning ROAMing surfaces and socializes risks, but it does not ensure ownership, tracking, or mitigation. Treat it as examination, not management.
3. Shared responsibility, clear accountability Risk is everyone’s job, but accountability sits with roles like business owners, product managers, and RTEs to ensure protocols are in place.
4. Build resilience for the unforeseen Events like COVID remind us that Lean-Agile ways of working prepare organizations to adapt faster. Investing in agility is investing in resilience.
5. AI is both a tool and a risk Artificial intelligence can enhance prediction and monitoring but also introduces new risks around bias, governance, and misuse.

Risk management in SAFe cannot stop at ROAMing. That practice creates visibility, but true effectiveness comes from moving along the continuum — toward a well-understood and actively managed risk posture. For SPCs, RTEs, and change leaders, the challenge is to foster transparency, ensure accountability, and guide organizations toward resilience.

In your next PI Planning, go beyond simply documenting risks. Ask what risk posture your teams and business owners are really taking — and ensure that stance is owned, shared, and actively managed.