Eric Siegel is a seasoned consultant with more than twenty years of experience with machine learning. In today's podcast, Eric shares insights from his best-selling book, "Predictive Analytics: The Power to Predict Who Will Click, Buy, Lie, or Die," and his second book, "The AI Playbook." Having taught AI and machine learning at Columbia, he expresses frustration at the underutilization of machine learning. His mission with "The AI Playbook" is to bridge the gap between data scientists and business professionals, emphasizing the need for a customized process, discipline, and playbook for successful machine learning projects. The conversation delves into the misconception surrounding AI and machine learning, emphasizing the importance of planning for business outcomes and operational changes from the project's inception. The guest stresses that the value of AI lies not in its cool factor but in successful deployment. Discussing his second book, he reflects a focus on preorders and an emphasis on podcasts, he shares his strategy for getting the book into the hands of Fortune 500 stakeholders vested in machine learning success. Tune in for an insightful journey into the world of predictive analytics, AI deployment, and the passion that fuels success in the realm of thought leadership. Three Key Takeaways: ·         Business professionals must gain some technical knowledge to establish a standardized practice for machine learning. ·         Understand the use case – what is predicted and how it’s acted upon are the cornerstone of driving value in machine learning projects. ·         AI and machine learning are powerful tools but don’t get lost in the wonder of them.  Stay focused on what you need them to do for you.