It was a packed house for the last Linn Inn meeting. I had the pleasure of moderating a panel on the ethics of AI use, with perspectives from in-house counsel, outside counsel, and law school professors. The panelists did an excellent job preparing and fielding questions. They've clearly been grappling with thoughtful use of AI and its consequences.
Moderating an AI Ethics Panel Pushed This Introvert Out Front
Why Podcasting Helped but Didn't Make It Easy
A few people commented this seemed easy for me because of my podcast. It definitely helped, particularly in preparing follow-up questions and synthesizing ideas on the fly. But at the end of the day, I'm still an introvert who gets himself out of his comfort zone to be in front of an audience. There's something about escaping the vanilla middle that requires showing up even when it feels uncomfortable.
Law Students Bring the Energy That Drives Organizations
It was also wonderful to talk to some of the law students and first-year associates. They bring the energy and enthusiasm that drives organizations like this. Their questions were sharp, their curiosity genuine. That kind of engagement reminds you why these gatherings matter in the first place.
Getting Out of Your Comfort Zone Is the Work
Standing in front of a room full of lawyers to moderate a panel on something as evolving as AI ethics isn't natural for everyone. It certainly isn't for me. But the preparation that comes from hosting a podcast, from asking interview questions that create real connection, translates directly to this kind of work.
The discomfort doesn't go away. You just learn to move through it. And that's often where the most meaningful conversations happen.
If you're looking for ways to push yourself into rooms where the discussion matters, start with one uncomfortable step. The audience is more forgiving than your nerves suggest.