That Tech Pod

Outsourcing Judgment: How Far Is Too Far? with Ashwin Mehta

Laura Milstein, Gabriela Schulte and Kevin Albert

In this episode, Dr. Ashwin Mehta joins us to talk about how AI is quietly changing the way we think, learn, and make decisions. Drawing from his global career in pharma, government, and consulting, from building digital learning systems in West Africa to leading AI strategy at Bayer — Ashwin shares why he’s dedicated his work to keeping the “human” at the center of technology.

We explore how trust in AI can evolve from confidence to dependency, what “agentic AI” really means for the future of work, and the mental habits we risk losing as machines start thinking for us. Ashwin also reflects on what he still refuses to let AI handle, and why maintaining human judgment may be the ultimate competitive edge in an increasingly automated world.

Dr. Ashwin Mehta helps organizations adopt AI in ways that put people first. With a PhD in digital learning adoption and over 20 years across pharma, government, consulting, and international health, he focuses on the intersection of technology, human capital, and transformation. His experience includes leading AI-enabled learning at Bayer, advising enterprises and governments at Deloitte, and building digital training systems in West Africa during crises.

As founder of Mehtadology, Ashwin designs AI strategies that align technology with human potential, covering topics from large language models to intelligent automation while addressing readiness, infrastructure, and culture. His research and writing offer insights on adaptive learning, AI ROI, and the cognitive impacts of delegating decisions to machines.