Human in the Loop, AI in the Mix: Building Teams That Can Still Think — with Mark Evans (AI Special - Part 3)

The Elephant in the Org

Send us a text

When AI does the homework but skips the hard work, businesses will be the ones picking up the tab.

In this final episode of our AI trilogy, we’re joined by Mark Evans — serial entrepreneur, Fractional Chief AI Officer, and strategic advisor who’s spent 30 years building, scaling, and exiting tech ventures. Now, he helps leaders navigate AI adoption without outsourcing the very thing that makes us human: our ability to think.

From classrooms to boardrooms, Mark warns of a creeping danger — the illusion of mastery. Students, job-seekers, and even seasoned professionals are presenting AI-polished competence without the critical thinking, resilience, or authenticity to back it up. When that illusion flows into hiring and leadership pipelines, the long-term costs to businesses could be catastrophic.

We talk about:

• Why “competence signaling” through AI is a hiring manager’s nightmare.
• How academia and business are both scrambling to set guardrails.
• The mental health fallout of outsourcing, struggle, and resilience to machines.
• Why “human in the loop” isn’t optional — it’s essential for trust and capability.
• What leaders can do now to avoid building a workforce of imposters.

Top Takeaways:

• AI isn’t evil, but without guardrails, it creates dangerous illusions of mastery.
• Critical thinking is the new currency — leaders who protect it will win.
• Psychological safety erodes when people feel like imposters in their own roles.
• Guardrails in education, hiring, and leadership are non-negotiable.

Guest Bio:
Mark Evans is the founder of 360 Strategy, a Fractional Chief AI Officer, and serial entrepreneur. With three decades of experience scaling and exiting tech ventures, he now works with leaders to ensure AI augments rather than replaces human capability. Based in Glasgow, Mark is passionate about preparing the next generation of talent to enter the workforce ready to think, not just prompt.

🔗 Connect with Mark: LinkedIn
📄 Read Mark’s paper featured in this episode: AI and the Corrosion of Academic Rigour

🐘 Connect with Us:

🚀 Follow The Fearless PX on LinkedIn: The Fearless PX
📩 Got a hot take or a workplace horror story? Email Marion, Cacha, and Danny at [email protected]

🎧 Catch every episode of The Elephant in the Org: All Episodes Here

🚀Your Hosts on Linkedin:

🐘Marion Anderson

🐘Danny Gluch

🐘Cacha Dora

💬 Like what you hear?
Subscribe, leave a ★★★★★ review, and help us bring more elephants into the light.

🎙️ About the Show

The Elephant in the Org drops new episodes every two weeks starting April 2024.
Get ready for even more fearless conversations about leadership, psychological safety, and the future of work.

🎵 Music & Production Credits

🎶 Opening and closing theme music by The Toros
🎙️ Produced by The Fearless PX
✂️ Edited by Marion Anderson

⚠️ Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in this podcast are those of the hosts and guests, and do not necessarily reflect any affiliated organizations' official policy or position.