Kyall Mai doesn’t just think about the future – he builds it. As SVP and Chief Innovation Officer, he’s spent his career pushing boundaries and rethinking how things work. We caught up with him for a quick Q&A on where AI is taking us, what great leadership looks like right now, and why cooking (and stand-up comedy) still matter.
What global trends do you believe will redefine how your industry will operate in the next 5-10 years?
Honestly I think we’re standing right at the edge of one of the biggest shifts we’ve seen in marketing and software and it’s all because of AI. We’re already watching how it’s completely transforming the way we create things whether it’s written content, images or video. The speed and scale that AI brings is something we’ve never really had before. It’s forcing businesses to rethink everything from how they personalize content to how they engage with customers or even how they design products. But it goes way beyond content creation and text synthesization. AI’s impact on software development is huge right now. Coders are using these large language models to handle a lot of the repetitive time-consuming parts of coding the stuff that used to take hours or days. And that opens up space for them to focus on more creative problem solving and business analysis.
The people and companies that figure out how to really partner with AI and use it as a tool to elevate their thinking are the ones who are going to come out way ahead. So to me the next 5-10 years are going to be all about who’s willing to experiment adapt and lean into this shift early.
What is one piece of advice you would offer to a CEO navigating their business through the current market challenges?
If I had to give one piece of advice it would be this. Stay really clear on your vision but stay flexible on how you get there. With AI and everything else changing so fast you’ve got to be open to new ways of working. That might mean completely rethinking how your teams are structured what roles people play and how humans and technology can complement each other. But at the same time don’t lose sight of the human side. Move too fast and you risk burning people out or sidelining the very creativity and judgment you need to succeed long-term. The companies that are going to win are the ones that build cultures of trust and give their people room to grow and balance innovation with empathy.
If you could spend one month living anywhere in the world where would it be and why?
That’s an easy one for me, the Galapagos Islands. I had an incredible experience traveling there. It honestly felt like stepping back in time like you’re standing in this living prehistoric world. The wildlife, the untouched nature, it just gives you this overwhelming sense of wonder. Being in a place like that completely quiets all the noise you usually have in life. It gives you space to think, reflect and really reconnect with yourself. It’s one of those rare places that leaves you feeling creatively recharged and at peace at the same time.
What is your favorite hobby or activity that helps you recharge and stay inspired?
Cooking without a doubt. There’s just something incredibly calming about the whole process from planning out the meal, hunting down great ingredients to getting in the zone while you’re chopping and preparing everything. It’s a way for me to slow down and be fully present. And at the end of it you get to share it with people you care about. Seeing friends and family enjoy a meal you’ve put love and effort into is a really simple but powerful way to connect. That feeling of giving people something you’ve created with your hands is what makes it special for me
What is a fun fact about you that most people may not know?
Most people don’t know this but I used to do stand-up comedy in New York City. It started as a creative outlet but it taught me a ton. Nothing makes you sharpen your presentation skills like standing up there with just a microphone trying to make people laugh. In a way performing in front of 30 people at a comedy club is way more nerve-racking than speaking at a big conference in front of thousands. That experience really helped me become more comfortable and natural in front of any audience.
Whether it’s embracing AI, rethinking team structures, or slowing down to cook a great meal, Kyall’s take is a reminder that innovation and humanity aren’t opposites – they’re partners. It’s clear that staying curious, adaptable, and connected will matter more than ever in the years ahead.
With thanks to Kyall Mai, Blend founding member
