#409 From Product to Innovation: Mike Todasco on AI, Automation, and the Future of Technology

In this episode of The CTO Show with Mehmet, we dive into the exciting world of AI, automation, and innovation with Mike Todasco. Mike shares his journey from starting as an accountant to evolving into a leader in product management and innovation, including his influential role at PayPal. With experience in one of Silicon Valley’s most dynamic environments, Mike has firsthand insights into how emerging technologies are reshaping the landscape of business and consumer behavior. We begin by exploring Mike’s transition into tech, his early fascination with innovation, and how he found himself drawn to Silicon Valley’s vibrant ecosystem. Mike talks about his time at PayPal, where he witnessed the meteoric rise of mobile payments and led projects that pushed the boundaries of what was possible with new technology. From mobile to PayPal Beacon, Mike shares behind-the-scenes stories of PayPal’s innovative experiments, some of which thrived, while others taught valuable lessons about market readiness and timing. A central theme in the episode is AI’s profound influence on technology and society. Mike reflects on the early days of generative AI, describing the excitement he felt when experimenting with GPT-3, and how it felt like a paradigm shift for non-technical users who suddenly had access to powerful machine learning tools. Together, Mehmet and Mike discuss the democratizing effect of AI and its potential to redefine industries, streamline workflows, and augment human capabilities rather than replace them. In addition, Mike shares advice for companies looking to start innovation labs, drawing from his experience with PayPal’s lab and the lessons he learned in fostering a culture of experimentation. He outlines the different horizons of innovation, explaining why it’s essential for companies to define clear goals and strategies before diving into new tech trends. For startups and established companies alike, Mike emphasizes the importance of flexibility, curiosity, and a willingness to embrace both successes and failures along the journey. The conversation also explores the future of work in an AI-driven world. As AI tools become more accessible, Mike envisions a future where humans are empowered to focus on creative and strategic tasks, leaving routine work to intelligent automation. Both Mehmet and Mike reflect on the role of AI as a tool to enhance, rather than replace, human interaction, with Mike sharing anecdotes about how AI is already helping people make informed decisions in everyday life. More about Mike: Mike Todasco spends his days thinking about how AI will change how we create using generative tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, and the ever-growing slate. He used to work at PayPal, focused on innovation where he evangelized creativity to employees of every nation. At PayPal he also had many roles in the field of product from management to marketing to launch, which was a bit chaotic. Previously, he founded a company, Sketch Maven where long start-up nights turned his appearance to unshaven. Prior to his career in tech, he was in finance and accounting you see starting his career at the company with a meatball logo, GE. https://www.linkedin.com/in/todasco/ https://medium.com/@todasco 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 01:20 Mike's Career Journey 02:20 Transition to Product Management 05:18 Innovations at PayPal 07:09 Challenges and Successes in Mobile Payments 12:16 Exploring Emerging Technologies 15:39 Starting and Running Innovation Labs 18:55 The Culture of Innovation at PayPal 25:59 Generative AI and Personal Experiences 28:22 The Magic of GPT-3 29:02 The Evolution of AI Tools 33:12 Public Perception and AI 36:47 AI's Impact on Jobs and Industries 45:33 The Future of AI and Human Collaboration 46:59 Personal Reflections and Exciting Technologies 53:45 Final Thoughts and Farewell