2025-03-24 Podcast - Guntis Kalniņš

Introduction

Welcome to the show! Today’s guest is Guntis Kalniņš – a tech educator, mentors and entaponour with experience in GE Money, Oracle, and Accenture. Now, as the co-founder of AI MasterLab and a founding partner of MILA (Artificial Intelligence Association of Latvia), Guntis blends cutting-edge AI innovation with genuine human insight. He's cracking tech trends and unleashing leadership in electric, and unapologetic manner.

You have background of education initially in Pyhsics and Mathematics and started as Pyhsics teacher, correct?

  1. Did Your technical and educational background helped you to see what’s comming in tech?

  2. What was your "aha" moment that made you say, "AI is the future!"?

  3. What’s the most surprising AI breakthrough you’ve witnessed in your journey?

AI pilot projects

You have developed methodology how to introduce AI solutions in corporations and goverment institutions.

  1. Please describe the process, what is needed to get started, how much time it takes, how much it costs?

  2. How different is this process for corporations and goverment institutions?

  3. What is the most common mistake you see in goverment institutions when they start to work with AI?

  4. Which of companies or industries are adopting AI fastest? What are the main drivers?

  5. Can you share a transformative example where AI directly impacted business efficiency?

  6. How do you measure the success of an AI initiative within an organization?

CleanShot 2025-03-24 at 11.30.42@2x

AI in Justice Department

I know you recently helped Justice department of Latvia to develop over 30 use-cases of AI and singled out one to move forward to implementation phase.

  1. Tell the experience — what obstacles hit you hardest?

  2. What will be the first use-case to be implemented?

  3. What other good use-cases you can suggest for Justice department of Latvia that you found in other countries?

  4. Which would be the most challenging use-case to implement? Why?

  5. When we humans will delegate judgement to AI in justice department?

  6. Will we delegate police investigation to AI? What will be human role in that case?

 

Mentorship

Significant part of the work you do is related to coaching and mentoring leaders.

  1. How can leaders foster a culture that embraces rapid technological change?

  2. Is there's a formula for perfect leadership?

  3. How much time leaders of corporations should spend on learning about AI? How much time they are spending currently on this topic?

  4. What trends do you see driving future AI adoption, and how should companies prepare?

     

Fun questions

Fun questions towards the end:

  1. If you could program one of your traits into an AI, what would it be?

  2. If you could mentor an AI on one human skill, what would that be? What human skills AI lacks?

  3. What funny AI myth or misconception have you heard?

  4. What is the prefect Coffe to AI ratio?

  5. If AI would mentor you for career choice would you accept it?

  6. If life had an “undo” button, what would you press first?

  7. What’s your secret for turning chaos into clarity?

  8. What’s your go-to move for a mid-day energy boost?

  9. If life were a classroom, which subject would you add?

 

Context

Guntis Kalniņš is a seasoned technology executive based in Riga, Latvia, with extensive experience in leading international companies and a focus on artificial intelligence (AI) and business consulting.

He began his career as a teacher before transitioning into the technology sector, where he held senior management roles at General Electric (GE) Money, Oracle, and Accenture. At Accenture Baltics, he served from January 2017 to December 2018, contributing to the company's position as a leading provider of technology and consulting services in the region. citeturn0search0

In April 2022, Guntis co-founded AI MasterLab, a consulting firm that bridges the gap between clients and technology companies. AI MasterLab specializes in business development, innovation, digitalization, and talent growth, assisting businesses in understanding and implementing AI solutions. Additionally, Guntis is a founding partner of MILA (Machine Intelligence Latvia), further demonstrating his commitment to advancing AI initiatives in the country. citeturn0search1

Beyond his corporate endeavors, Guntis operates a coaching practice focused on business leaders, managers, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals. His coaching services include one-on-one sessions and small group sessions, emphasizing the human touch in a digital world. citeturn0search5

Guntis's multifaceted career reflects his dedication to integrating technology and human-centric approaches, positioning him as a key figure in Latvia's evolving tech landscape.

Here's a concise list of workplaces associated with Guntis Kalniņš:

These roles collectively highlight his extensive background in technology, business consulting, and AI innovation.

 

Izglītība un karjera

Kalniņš ieguvis izglītību fizikā un matemātikā Latvijas Universitātē, kā arī papildinājis zināšanas biznesa administrācijā un valdības pārvaldē4. Viņa karjera ietver dažādas nozīmīgas pozīcijas:

 

Currently serves as supervisory board member of MILA (Artificial Intelligence Association of Latvia) and as founding partner

I started my career as a teacher. Then for decades I worked in big international companies such as General Electrics, Oracle, and Accenture. I lived in the powerful world on the frontier of cutting-edge technology innovations. Exciting advances in research and information technologies were rapidly changing the way businesses operated. When the speed of transformations seemed overwhelming, it increased even more. It led to continuous business disruptions which boosted companies, improved services, increased competitiveness.

On a personal level people were learning, acquiring new skills and competencies, gaining experiences, always running with new tasks, previously unknown. The work they did was fantastic.

At some point however, as a manager and leader of my team, I noticed people were struggling to keep up with the pace of changes. There was not enough time for human communication and personal reflection. There was not enough time for coping with changes. People had to deal with ever changing priorities, high uncertainty, conflicting demands. They needed time to relate their personal values, beliefs and priorities to the business agenda. They needed an ear listening to them with genuine interest.

As my own role in business was changing, I got more involved with data, analytics, reporting and planning. Less and less with people. This was not where I wanted to be. The prospect of becoming a coach stroke me as a revelation, – this is where I can use my talents and do what I do best: listen to people, address their needs, help them to discover, activate and develop their talents and proceed with their most cherished aspirations. Encourage, support, enable. With respect, trust, and true interest. Becoming a coach was my road from the corporate world to people, from tech to people, from managing and directing to listening and reflecting on a unique personal level.

I offer my experience and knowledge of technologies, business and corporate world for your benefit. I am familiar with the language of specific industries, as well as specific business areas including management, sales, finance, operations, marketing, communications. All this might be irrelevant, however, if you choose life coaching themes for your sessions. Only you know what you need most.

I encourage you, a unique personality, to take your unique road towards your future. Envision, aspire, dare, act. I will provide my support while being emotionally connected and fully interested in what you want to achieve. A coaching session is your session. It is all about you, your personal goals, wishes, choices, decisions, and actions.

AI Master Lab collaborates with educational institutions to promote data analysis skills. For instance, Ivars Krampis-Vanags, a partner at AI Master Lab, conducts courses on Microsoft Power BI at Riga Business School, focusing on data analysis and visualization. rbs.lv

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Reflections on AI Education Gaps

Fintech and Generative AI

Latvia’s Role in Global AI

AI Ethics and Manipulation