AI Playground

In this AI Playground episode of Leader Generation, the Mod Op team explores DeepSeek, a new open-source AI model making waves in the industry. 
Tessa Burg, Aaron Grando, Patty Parobek, and Sasha Dookhoo break down what makes DeepSeek different, how it stacks up against other AI models like ChatGPT, and why businesses must be cautious before jumping in.
You’ll hear firsthand insights on DeepSeek’s potential advantages—including improved reasoning and cost efficiency—as well as serious security and privacy concerns. Should marketers and business leaders start using it? What risks come with its data storage policies? And how does this model shape the future of AI adoption? 
Tune in to hear expert opinions, real-world testing insights, and key takeaways to help you make informed AI decisions. Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
 
Contributors:
Tessa Burg, CTO at Mod Op
Aaron Grando, VP of Creative Innovation at Mod Op
Patty Parobek, VP of AI Transformation at Mod Op
Sasha Dookhoo, VP of PR at Mod Op
 
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].

In this episode of Leader Generation, host Patty Parobek is joined by Technical Project Managers, Ian Pescod and Jose Franceschi, who share their hands-on experience testing Microsoft Copilot in Mod Op’s AI Playground. 
Ian and Jose discuss how Microsoft Copilot has helped streamline their workflows, from automatic note-taking in meetings to document formatting and email assistance. They agree that this tool is for anyone who has ever struggled with staying present in meetings while jotting down key takeaways, or looking for ways to boost efficiency in Microsoft apps like Word, Excel and Outlook. 
Ian and Jose provide honest insights into Microsoft Copilot’s strengths, how it compares to other AI tools, and whether it’s worth integrating into your workflow. Tune in to discover if Microsoft Copilot could be worth the investment.
Leader Generation is brought to you by Mod Op. 
 
Contributors:
Ian Pescod, Technical Project Manager at Mod Op
Jose Franceschi, Technical Project Manager at Mod Op
 
Guest Host, Patty Parobek:
As Vice President of AI Transformation, Patty leads Mod Op’s AI practice group, spearheading initiatives to maximize the value and scalability of AI-enabled solutions. Patty collaborates with the executive team to revolutionize creative, advertising and marketing projects for clients, while ensuring responsible AI practices. She also oversees AI training programs, identifies high-value AI use cases and measures implementation impact, providing essential feedback to Mod Op’s AI Council for continuous improvement. Patty can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].
 

Before introducing Aaron Grando to review the AI-powered coding assistant Cursor, Tessa Burg explores the key trends shaping the future of AI in 2025.
From the explosion of new technologies to the rise of real-time personalization, Tessa lays out a roadmap for how businesses can strategically adopt AI. She also highlights the shift towards smaller, more senior teams and how collaboration will become critical for maximizing AI's potential.
Aaron Grando, VP of Creative Innovation at Mod Op, shares his hands-on experience with Cursor. Aaron explains how this powerful app streamlines workflows, enhances context, and even integrates non-coding tasks like notes and project insights.
Curious about how AI can make your team more productive and creative? This episode shares relatable examples to help you get started.
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
Contributor Aaron Grando:
Aaron Grando, VP, Creative Innovation on Mod Op's Innovation team, is a seasoned technologist with over 15 years of experience at creative agencies. With a background in strategy, design, engineering, and marketing, Aaron has worked extensively in industries like media, entertainment, gaming, food & beverage, fashion, and technology. At Mod Op, Aaron leads efforts to integrate AI into creative processes, creating tools that connect creatives and clients with insights, spark ideas, and enable new brand experiences. Projects include collaborations with companies like NBCUniversal, Bethesda Softworks, Under Armour, Planet Fitness, Dietz & Watson, and more, focusing on infusing creative strategies with innovative technology to create cutting-edge brand experiences.
About Tessa Burg:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].
 

Mod Op’s AI Playground makes exploring emerging AI technologies safe and effective. It gives people quick access to cutting-edge technology while making sure everything stays secure, compliant, and ethical. By testing real-world use cases and tracking results, the AI Playground turns ideas into solutions that bring real value to clients.
In this episode, Alyssa Curci and Jonathan Murray focus on practical ways businesses can use AI to improve workflows, manage data, and empower teams. They share their firsthand experiences with Microsoft Copilot and Google NotebookLM, highlighting how these applications can save time and enhance productivity.
Tune in for real-life use cases, practical tips, and expert opinions that can help you make decisions about AI adoption in your workplace.
Leader Generation is hosted by Tessa Burg and brought to you by Mod Op. 
 
Contributors:
Alyssa Curci, Senior Vice President of Customer Delivery at Mod Op
Jonathan Murray, Chief Strategy Officer at Mod Op
 
Host:
Tessa is the Chief Technology Officer at Mod Op and Host of the Leader Generation podcast. She has led both technology and marketing teams for 15+ years. Tessa initiated and now leads Mod Op's AI/ML Pilot Team, AI Council and Innovation Pipeline. She started her career in IT and development before following her love for data and strategy into digital marketing. Tessa has held roles on both the consulting and client sides of the business for domestic and international brands, including American Greetings, Amazon, Nestlé, Anlene, Moen and many more. Tessa can be reached on LinkedIn or at [email protected].