Artificial Intelligence is changing the world fast. But there’s a problem few want to talk about: the lack of transparency in AI.
In this Merging Minds episode, Javi Diaz sits down with Veronica Hylak, product strategist, founder, and AI expert, to explore how AI is built, how it impacts people, and how we can make it more human.
A Journey Built on Grit, Not VC
Veronica didn’t take the easy route. She started her career in AI working on autonomous drone ships for the U.S. government.
From there, she transitioned into the language industry completely by accident.
“We were building a tool for my mom’s business. Suddenly, more people needed it. That’s how I fell into the localization industry.”
With no venture capital backing, Veronica and her co-founder built their company from scratch.
Long nights, tiny budgets, and a lot of determination taught her to be scrappy and intentional.
The Transparency Problem in AI
Veronica highlights a serious issue: AI systems are black boxes.
“We don’t know where the data comes from. We don’t know why AI makes the decisions it does. That’s scary.”
She argues that AI cannot be trusted if we don’t understand how it works. Transparent AI means knowing:
- Where the data comes from
- How the models are trained
- Why the system makes certain decisions
“If we can’t explain why an AI behaves a certain way, how can we use it in real life, especially in risky situations?”
Humanizing AI and Leadership in the AI Era
Veronica believes AI should help humans, not replace them.
The goal isn’t to compete with AI but to use it to work smarter.
“We’re not supposed to keep up with AI. We’re supposed to change how we work with it.”
She warns that many leaders still ignore AI or misunderstand it. That’s a mistake.
- Leaders who avoid AI won’t survive the next 5 years.
- Those who embrace it must also focus on the human impact.
- Leadership isn’t just about profits. It’s about people, mental health, and sustainable work.
A Call for Responsible AI
This conversation is a reminder: AI should be built with responsibility.
Transparency isn’t just a buzzword, it’s a requirement if we want AI to be ethical, useful, and safe.
Veronica’s advice to anyone in the industry is clear:
“You don’t need to take huge steps every day. But take one small step. Keep learning. Keep building. That’s how we move forward together.”
Final Thoughts
This episode with Veronica Hylak reminds us that AI is only as good as the people behind it.
As the world races to adopt AI, we can’t ignore the risks that come with black-box systems, tools that make decisions we can’t fully understand.
Veronica’s story is also a lesson in resilience. She proves that you don’t need millions in funding to build something meaningful. What you need is grit, curiosity, and the willingness to learn as you go.
“It’s not about keeping up with AI. It’s about changing how we work with it.”
As AI continues to evolve, the challenge for all of us founders, leaders, and everyday users is to make sure technology stays transparent, ethical, and human.
Small steps matter. And the time to start is now.
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