Why “Fail Fast” Fails in AI | Mark Bentsen on Rise and Real Ep #5

Welcome to Episode 5 of RISE and REAL! A BuzzClan Original Podcast

In “the episode title name”, host Anamika Jain sits down with Mark Bentsen, CIO at CellGate, to unpack what it really takes to move from ChatGPT experiments to secure, enterprise-grade AI that delivers measurable value. Mark brings a rare blend of deep technical experience, product thinking, and executive leadership to show how AI, governance, and culture all need to work together.

From his early “AI origin story” and first POCs to building governance around ISO-style standards, Mark shares the wins, mistakes, and mindset shifts that help leaders avoid the “wild west” of AI adoption and build systems they can trust. He also gets candid about work–life fit, promoting people into bigger roles, and why human judgment must stay at the center of every AI decision.

👉 In this conversation, Mark shares:

Why “fail fast” can be dangerous when you’re dealing with AI and security.

How to think about governance, ISO-like frameworks, and model testing for bias and vulnerabilities.

The three levers every ambitious leader should pull: innovation, revenue, and cost savings.

Why change management is where most AI initiatives actually succeed or fail.

His philosophy on work–life fit, resilience, and becoming the boss known for getting people promoted.

⏱️ Highlights of the Conversation:

00:00 — Intro

01:09 — Anamika Jain welcomes Mark Bentsen to Rise & Real

02:21 — Mark’s journey: From AI Product Manager to CIO of CellGate

09:49 — Secure AI, ISO standards & customer-first solutions

14:14 — What’s harder: building the solution or building the people?

18:59 — Leadership values that define Mark’s style—at work and in life

22:52 — Advice for next-gen leaders

26:51 — Can AI solve AI’s own challenges?

31:26 — The AI gold rush & FOMO

34:00 — Automation vs humanity

36:28 — CIO perspective on work-life balance

40:35 — Handling chaos and escalation - real stories

49:03 — Rapid Fire Round with Mark Bentsen

52:55 — A career moment Mark Bentsen will always remember

55:46 — Advice for those dreaming of becoming a CIO someday

59:07 — Mark Bentsen’s recommended books & podcasts for listeners

01:00:27 — Outro

If you want a practical, no-nonsense look at what real AI leadership requires—from governance and security to culture and careers—this episode is for you.

Watch this and more in our Rise and Real playlist! 👇🏻

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