Artificial intelligence has moved from an emerging technology to a boardroom priority. As companies adopt foundation models, AI agents, and increasingly autonomous systems, the real challenge is no longer only technological. It is also about people, strategy, trust, sovereignty, and the ability to manage change at scale.

The first episode of Season 3 of The Optimist is hosted by Dale Rickert, who speaks with Clarisa Doval, Chief Data and AI Officer at Airbus Helicopters, and Cornelia Schaurecker, Board Member and Senior AI Advisor at F-Secure.

Drawing on their experience leading AI transformations in aviation, telecommunications, automotive, cybersecurity, and other complex industries, Clarisa and Cornelia explain what it takes to move from experimentation to meaningful adoption. They discuss why every major technology transformation is also a human and commercial transformation, and why successful AI strategies need to bring technology, people, and business goals together.

The conversation explores how regulated industries can use AI while keeping humans accountable, why organisations need to embrace iterative development, and how leaders can overcome fear and resistance by showing employees the practical value of new tools. They also discuss the importance of data foundations, governance, trust, and the need to balance innovation with security and responsibility.

A central theme is Europe’s position in the global AI race. Clarisa and Cornelia examine Europe’s challenges around energy, computing capacity, investment, and frontier models, while also highlighting the continent’s strengths: high-quality data, deep industry knowledge, a skilled workforce, and the opportunity to build AI in line with European values. The episode also addresses AI’s impact on jobs, gender, education, and the skills people will need in the future.

A must-listen for leaders and decision-makers interested in enterprise AI, digital transformation, AI governance, technological sovereignty, European competitiveness, and the future of work.

The Optimist is presented by TECH by Handelsblatt Media Group and independent from the Handelsblatt editorial team. With the Technology Experience Convention Heilbronn (TECH), Handelsblatt Media Group, Handelsblatt and Schwarz Digits are creating a strategic platform to strengthen the European tech ecosystem. TECH‘s mission is to establish a „cluster of optimism“, connecting Europe’s most influential leaders across technology, industry, politics, and academia. More at tech-europe.org