Bridging the Enterprise AI Reality Gap

“Lead with relationships.”

In this episode of The Rebellious Times Podcast, host Chris Januszewski sits down with Michelle Tinsley, CEO of Sciata, to talk about closing the gap between AI ambition and real-world results.

Michelle shares her journey from Intel executive to startup founder and now leader of a thriving enterprise AI consulting firm. Her insights highlight the critical balance between technology, people, and culture in digital transformation.

Key Highlights

• The real challenges behind enterprise AI adoption

• Why “data science as a service” accelerates innovation

• How data cleanup sets the stage for successful AI projects

• The importance of relationships in landing enterprise clients

• What private equity expects from profitable tech companies

Perfect for:

• Enterprise leaders exploring AI implementation

• Private equity investors in tech

• Startup founders bridging data and strategy

• IT and data science professionals

Tech: True digital transformation takes more than algorithms. It requires collaboration between people and machines. Michelle believes enterprise AI consulting should always include empathy, communication, and cultural alignment — not just code.

Michelle Tinsley, CEO of Sciata

Dustin Hillis is a visionary entrepreneur, executive strategist, and global sales leader with a proven record of scaling companies across industries including AI, healthcare, defense technology, and executive coaching. As President and Chief Strategy Officer of SafeSpace Global, he is driving innovation in AI-powered safety solutions for schools, elder care, and government institutions. Under his leadership, the company has raised over $10 million, expanded globally, and is redefining the role of ethical AI in protecting vulnerable populations.

Prior to SafeSpace Global, Dustin served as CEO of the Southwestern Family of Companies, a $100M+ conglomerate with over 2,000 team members worldwide. He also co-founded Southwestern Consulting, helping build one of the world’s largest coaching organizations. A former record-breaking sales leader, athlete, and author of Capacity, Dustin combines discipline, mentorship, and purpose-driven leadership to inspire others to build businesses that make a lasting impact.

About Sciate

Sciata helps companies accelerate change through data-driven consulting and AI solutions. With over 400 successful engagements and a decade of experience, Sciata delivers specialized software, analytics, and on-shore technical expertise that shorten project timelines and create lasting impact.

Sciata links:
sciata.ai
LinkedIn

Podcast: Play in new window | Download