Pre-Zero Sports Talk
Welcome to Pre-Zero Sports Talk, where sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress intersect. Hosted by Sid Bensalah, with over 30 years of global sports industry experience, this podcast isn’t about quick fixes or empty talk. It’s a platform for authentic, purpose-driven conversations that go beyond the game to explore how sports can drive positive, actionable change.
Born from a passion for impact, Pre-Zero Sports Talk dives into today’s most pressing themes: performance and well-being, leadership, innovation, coaching, community impact, sustainability, regenerative agriculture, governance, geopolitics, and more. Each episode cuts through the noise and greenwashing, engaging with trailblazers, changemakers, and thought leaders to uncover solutions and inspire new perspectives.
This is a space for real conversations with real people about real issues — stories that challenge norms, break barriers, and spark transformation. Whether you’re an athlete, coach, business leader, or someone who believes in the power of sport to make a difference, there’s a seat at the table for you.
Subscribe now to join a movement that informs, inspires, and empowers. Together, let’s redefine the role of sports in shaping a cleaner, safer, and more connected world — one episode at a time.
Pre-Zero Sports Talk
AI Won’t Replace Humans — But Bad Leadership Might | Stephanie Sylvestre
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In Episode 103, Sid Bensalah sits down with Stephanie Sylvestre, CEO and Co-Founder of Avatar Buddy AI, for a raw and deeply human conversation about AI, leadership, human potential, layoffs, community, and the future of work.
Stephanie explains why AI should amplify people rather than replace them, how properly configured AI can build self-esteem and self-agency, and why the erosion of the middle class could become one of society’s biggest risks.
From powerful stories in Nairobi and Ghana to honest reflections on entrepreneurship, self-doubt, sexism in tech, and the emotional realities of building a startup, this episode goes far beyond technology.
This is a conversation about people, purpose, resilience, and what kind of future we are building.
Topics include:
• Human-centered AI
• AI and leadership
• AI replacing jobs
• Layoffs and the middle class
• Entrepreneurship and resilience
• Digital mentors and AI agents
• AI in education and farming
• Community and trust in the AI era
• Deepfakes and human connection
• Women in AI and leadership
Timestamps:
00:00 AI Won’t Replace Humans — But Bad Leadership Might
00:05 AI And Human Possibility
02:57 Accidental Startup Origin
12:45 Doubt, Ego, and Menopause
15:29 Data Vaults And AI Agents
25:02 Profit, Layoffs, and Society
36:41 AI For Literacy And Farming
43:32 Kindness and Self-Worth
47:42 Monetizing Human First AI
55:19 Layoffs And Exploitation
56:52 Sexism And Racism In AI
01:01:08 Deepfakes And Community Trust
01:03:27 Future Vision And Lightning Round
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