In this episode 187 of the Disruption Now Podcast, we sit down with Benjamin Ko, the CEO of Kaleidoscope Innovation, a firm leading the way in human-centered design and engineering — especially in healthcare. From developing wearable technologies for spinal cord injury patients to crafting surgical tools built around human ergonomics, Ben and his team are proving that empathy is a competitive advantage in the age of AI.
We dive into the central question: If AI can optimize everything, where do we still matter? Ben argues that empathy isn’t just a soft skill — it’s a design superpower. He discusses how Kaleidoscope’s cross-functional teams of designers, engineers, and researchers bridge the gap between physical and digital worlds, why 95% of AI projects fail due to lack of human context, and how clarity of thought and ethical design can shape a better, more responsible tech future.
If you’re a founder, product designer, healthcare innovator, engineer, or policymaker interested in building smarter systems with deeper purpose — this episode is for you.
🎧 Watch, Listen & Subscribe:
👉 YouTube: @DisruptionNow
👉 Spotify / Apple Podcasts / Amazon
📍 Recorded live at MidwestCon, hosted by the University of Cincinnati (UC) and the 1819 Innovation Hub.
Special thanks to Ben Ko, UC, and the 1819 Innovation Hub for supporting innovation and human-centric AI.
🔗 Connect with Benjamin Ko & Kaleidoscope Innovation:
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/benjaminleeko/
Credit music:
Cookie Fox - AlexGuz