The AI with Maribel Lopez (AI with ML)
The AI with Maribel Lopez podcast interviews leading thinkers, experts and innovators on the latest trends in Artificial intelligence areas such as agentic AI, generative AI, AI security, AI ethics and governance. Maribel Lopez is a technology industry analyst, keynote speaker and founder of the Data For Betterment Foundation and Lopez Research. The podcast shares advice, strategies and techniques on how to use AI solutions such as conversational AI, computer vision and automation to make businesses more efficient. New episodes are released every week on Wednesdays.
The AI with Maribel Lopez (AI with ML)
AI in Retail: Best Buy's Journey from 93 Apps to One Solution
Description: In this episode from Google Cloud Next 2025, we dive deep into Best Buy's AI transformation with Ashley Daniels, VP of Product Management. Discover how one of America's largest retailers approached AI implementation strategically, moving from 93 contact center applications to a unified solution.
Ashley shares the real story behind Best Buy's AI journey - the quick wins, unexpected challenges, and why your foundation matters more than the technology itself. From gift finder tools to revolutionizing customer care, learn practical strategies for implementing AI that actually drives business outcomes.
Key insights covered:
- Why treating AI as a "tool in the toolbox" leads to better results
- The importance of starting with customer experience, not technology
- How to build strategic partnerships for AI implementation
- Why domain expertise becomes more critical in an AI world
- Real timeline: Getting AI summarization live in 6-8 weeks
Whether you're in retail, customer service, or leading digital transformation initiatives, this conversation offers actionable insights for your AI strategy.
Hosted by Maribel Lopez, founder and principal analyst at Lopez Research who interviewed Ashley Daniels, the VP of Product Management at Best Buy.
You can follow Ashley here https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-daniels1219/ and Maribel here https://www.linkedin.com/in/maribellopez/
