Why You Shouldn’t Fear Artificial Intelligence — and How to Change that Culture
Oct 29, 2025
By Antonio Rothenbach (Ibero AI) and Donna Hundley (People Pulse Ventures)
Artificial Intelligence is transforming every corner of the workplace — from how we recruit talent to how we lead teams. Yet despite its power, fear remains one of the biggest barriers to adoption. In this episode of the AI Agency Podcast, I sat down with Donna Huntley, Founder & CEO of People Pulse Ventures, to explore how leaders can overcome fear, integrate AI responsibly, and create a culture where humans and machines thrive together.
From HR Leader to AI Advocate
Donna brings more than 20 years of experience in human resources, consulting, and organizational transformation. She’s helped public and private organizations modernize recruiting and retention systems — from the early days of paperless applications at Monster.com to leading HR projects at Accenture and BearingPoint.
When she founded People Pulse Ventures, her goal was clear: help small and mid-sized businesses build sustainable growth by getting “the people side” right.
Her framework — “Pulse & Beat” — begins with diagnosing cultural and process gaps (“Pulse”) and then moves to implementing solutions (“Beat”) for recruitment, onboarding, and retention.
“Culture isn’t a soft thing — it’s the foundation of performance,” Donna explains.
“When you ignore it, you go nose-blind to what’s broken. Consultants help you smell what the company can’t.”
The Hidden Cost of Unused Technology
One of the biggest insights Donna shared is that many companies already have the technology they need — they just don’t use it effectively.
From applicant tracking systems (ATS) to project management tools like Monday.com, she often finds organizations paying for licenses that only a handful of employees actually understand.
Without proper training and collaboration between HR, operations, and tech teams, even the best tools become expensive shelfware.
“AI isn’t the problem,” Donna notes. “Adoption and education are.”
AI as a Coworker, Not a Replacement
When it comes to artificial intelligence, Donna sees the same pattern repeating. Many companies rush to deploy tools like Copilot, Gemini, or ChatGPT — but skip the most important step: teaching people how to use them effectively and safely.
She trains clients to view AI as a coworker, not a threat.
AI can help write project plans, generate onboarding materials, or schedule meetings — but only if employees know how to ask the right questions and follow the right governance protocols.
“It’s not machine vs human,” she says.
“It’s human plus machine. You still need judgment, empathy, and context — things AI doesn’t have.”
Overcoming the Fear of Replacement
Fear of job loss remains a major obstacle to AI adoption. Donna compares today’s AI era to the early days of online banking — when people swore they’d never trust the internet with their money.
Now, digital banking is second nature.
The same, she argues, will happen with AI.
“We’re at the ‘three hands in the air’ stage,” Donna jokes.
“In five years, you won’t imagine going to work without AI.”
Her advice: educate, don’t eliminate.
Offer ongoing AI training, refreshers, and clear policies. Help people understand how to use it safely and productively — not just warn them what not to do.
Using AI to Strengthen (Not Shrink) Your Workforce
Layoffs often follow automation, but Donna challenges that mindset.
Instead of using AI to cut headcount, use it to build capability and create internal mobility.
Train employees in AI tools and data literacy so they can shift into higher-value work.
Even when layoffs are unavoidable, she says, companies should aim to part on good terms:
“If you treat people well and help them grow, they’ll remember that. Many will come back later — we call them boomerangs.”
Culture Change in the Age of AI
Changing the culture around AI means accepting a new kind of diversity — multi-generational learning styles, comfort levels, and values.
Some people prefer calls; others prefer text or chat.
Leaders must meet people where they are, connect them to the company’s purpose, and make technology a shared ally rather than a source of anxiety.
“Hire for culture and skill,” Donna reminds. “Help people see that AI doesn’t replace their humanity — it enhances it.”
Final Thoughts
AI is not the enemy. Fear is.
Organizations that educate, empower, and embrace collaboration between humans and machines will lead the next wave of innovation.
So the real question isn’t “Will AI replace us?” — it’s “Are we ready to work with it?”
🎧 Listen to the full episode on YouTube: Why You Shouldn’t Fear Artificial Intelligence and How to Change that Culture
Guest: Donna Huntley — Founder & CEO, People Pulse Ventures
Host: Antonio Rothenbach, Ibero AI — AI-enabled Consulting & Transformation
- Connect with Antonio: - www.linkedin.com/in/antonio-rothenbach-99685110/
Listen to The AI Agency Journey Podcast:
- Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0lXZkUqO2RIkN7vTO1C2p7?si=25f17d152e6040e7
- Apple Podcasts here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ai-agency-journey/id1788580727
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