ROI, Hype Cycle & Future Workplace - with Dr. Kirk Borne

The landscape of enterprise AI continues to shift, and leaders are increasingly asking how to move from experimentation to real, measurable value. In the latest episode of the Illuminating Information podcast, we continue our conversation with Dr. Kirk Borne to explore the realities behind the hype, the challenges organizations still face, and what it will take for AI to become a true partner in everyday work. With deep experience spanning NASA, Booz Allen Hamilton, and global enterprise advisory roles, Dr. Borne brings a candid and data-driven perspective on the current state of AI adoption.

From Hype to Real Value: A Recap

If you missed Part 1 of our conversation, we encourage you to start there. Dr. Borne unpacked why today’s enterprises must rethink what “intelligent” really means, shifting from simple chat interactions to systems that understand context, connect insights, and drive meaningful action. That first episode sets the stage for this deeper dive into how AI matures from information retrieval to enterprise-wide reasoning.

Beyond Chat: Turning Context into Action

In Part 2, Dr. Borne reflects on the current hype cycle and why many industries are still struggling to translate AI potential into real business value. While sectors like media and technology are naturally embracing these tools, most organizations are still working through the early phases of adoption and trust.

One standout insight: we’re not watching one technology rise and fall on the hype curve — we’re watching an entire ecosystem of innovations (LLMs, agents, multimodal AI, RAG) progress at different speeds. And together, they’re helping push the industry toward more meaningful, productive use cases.

Another major theme of our conversation is how multimodal AI will reshape human–machine interaction. Instead of relying solely on text, these systems integrate multiple forms of input: images, audio, video, documents, and more — creating more natural, intuitive collaboration across the enterprise.

Stay Ahead of the Curve

As AI adoption accelerates, staying informed is key. If today’s insights sparked new ideas, be sure to subscribe to Illuminating Information on your favorite podcast platform so you never miss an episode. And if you know someone navigating the challenges of enterprise AI, share this episode with them — it might be exactly the clarity they need.

Got a question or topic you want us to explore next? Reach out through our website. Until then, keep pushing boundaries, stay curious, and continue illuminating information.

Listen now to “Beyond Chat: From Facts to Context – with Dr. Kirk Borne Part 2” on our website, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Amazon, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.