Show Notes
Renowned researcher, author, and Nielsen Norman Group co-founder Don Norman joins Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi to discuss how design must adapt in the age of AI. Norman shares insights from his journey - starting with coining the term “user experience” at Apple to his current advocacy for humanity-centered design, an approach that reaches beyond products to influence organizations, policy, and the planet. Together, they explore how designers can shift from focusing on aesthetics to embracing systems thinking, why cross-disciplinary collaboration is vital, and how AI can enhance, rather than replace, human creativity and purpose. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
More from Future Back Drinking with Dr. Athina Kanioura
In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura sits down with Andrés Mosquera, CEO of Claro Enterprise Solutions, to explore how telecom is expanding into cloud, cybersecurity, and AI-driven services and why the real challenge isn’t the technology, but getting organizations ready for it. They discuss what it means to be “secure by design” and why Latin America’s creativity and entrepreneurial spirit are driving a new wave of innovation. From infrastructure to intelligence, this conversation highlights how connectivity is becoming central to how businesses operate and grow. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
In this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura speaks with Peggy Johnson, CEO of Agility, about the rise of humanoid robots like Agility's Digit, and their role in the future of work. From warehouses to real-world environments, Peggy explains how robots are being designed to work alongside humans, handling repetitive, physically demanding tasks while opening the door to new kinds of jobs. They also explore the realities behind the hype, including safety, regulation, and what it will take to scale human-robot collaboration responsibly. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and co-host Priyanka Aribindi sit down with Diane Hoskins, Global Co-Chair of Gensler, for a conversation on leadership and the power of design to shape how people do their best work. Diane shares how Gensler’s co-CEO model has fueled the firm’s growth, why diversity of thought drives effective leadership, and how architecture and design can elevate the human experience at scale. Together, they explore what it takes for leaders to invest in innovation while staying grounded in people, culture, and lasting impact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
On this episode of Future Back Drinking, Dr. Athina Kanioura and Priyanka Aribindi sit down with Dr. Laurie Santos, Yale psychology professor and host of The Happiness Lab, to unpack what truly drives happiness and performance at work. In an age of AI and hybrid teams, Laurie argues that happiness isn’t a “nice-to-have,” but a core driver of productivity when workplaces foster belonging, trust, and meaningful connection. The conversation digs into why leaders should design for work–life harmony instead of balance, how to cut down on “pseudo-productivity,” and ways to build psychological safety around AI while giving people the space to stay curious, creative, and fulfilled in their roles. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.