Former Google Chief Decision Scientist Cassie Kozyrkov on AI, Decisions, and Human Responsibility
Former Google Chief Decision Scientist Cassie Kozyrkov on AI, Decisions, and Human Responsibility  
Podcast: Unblinded with Sean Callagy
Published On: Tue Jan 13 2026
Description: What happens when one of the world’s foremost decision-making and AI ethics leaders steps into a room built around integrity-based human influence?In this powerful episode of Unblinded with Sean Callagy, Sean sits down with Cassie Kozyrkov—former Chief Decision Scientist at Google and a global authority on AI, data, and decision intelligence—for a conversation that reframes how we think about choices, responsibility, and the future of AI.From her unconventional upbringing in South Africa and early obsession with spreadsheets, to her groundbreaking work at the intersection of human judgment and machine intelligence, Cassie reveals why AI is not about replacing humans—but about amplifying human agency.Together, Sean and Cassie dismantle the myth of “autonomous AI,” explore why decision-making is the most important skill of the future, and challenge leaders to become better wishers in a world where technology increasingly grants our wishes at scale.This episode is a must-listen for founders, executives, technologists, and anyone navigating leadership in an AI-accelerated world. Episode HighlightsWhy decision-making, not intelligence, is the ultimate competitive advantageHow AI is fundamentally a human system shaped by human choicesThe danger of outsourcing judgment—and how to protect human agencyWhy bad outcomes come from unskilled wishers, not bad technologyHow personalization, language, and AI will reshape work, education, and societyThe ethical responsibility leaders carry as AI scales human impactCassie’s vision for a future where AI elevates humanity instead of dulling itMemorable Quotes“AI is not autonomous. It is human decisions all the way through.”“The real danger isn’t powerful technology—it’s unskilled wishers with powerful tools.”“If information isn’t connected to action, it doesn’t matter.”“AI should never replace human judgment. Judgment is not automatable.”“Reach for more—but be prepared to choose wisely.”Timestamps00:00 Introduction – Decision-Making, AI & Human Responsibility03:45 Cassie’s Background & Growing Up in South Africa08:10 Early Fascination with Data, Logic & Systems12:30 Why Decision-Making Is the Ultimate Life Skill17:05 Education’s Failure to Teach How to Choose Well22:10 What AI Really Is (And Why It’s Not Autonomous)28:40 Human Judgment vs Machine Intelligence34:15 The “Unskilled Wishers” Problem Explained40:10 Ethics, Responsibility & Power at Scale46:30 AI as a Multiplier of Human Intent52:20 Personalization, Language & the Future of Work58:10 Leadership in an AI-Accelerated World1:03:45 Why Agency Must Stay Human1:09:20 Reaching for More — Vision, Legacy & Purpose1:15:10 Final Reflections, Takeaways & ClosingWhy You Should ListenIf you’re using—or planning to use—AI in business, leadership, or life, this episode will fundamentally shift how you think about responsibility, ethics, and power. Cassie doesn’t just explain the future—she equips you to lead it wisely.