In her leadership role, Nicky plays a key part in driving Decoded’s mission to make the digital world more accessible, equipping businesses and individuals with the skills to navigate and innovate in an era of rapid technological change.

Patrick Walsh sits down with Nicky to find out—who is Nicky Kirshen?

Patrick: Nicky, as colleagues, we’ve spent a lot of time working together, so I feel like I already know a fair bit about you! But let’s see if I can learn something new…

What are you watching or streaming right now? Anything binge-worthy we should check out?

Nicky: I love a crime drama! Happy Valley, Line of Duty, and Kin are a few of my favourites. Recently, I’ve been watching The Lincoln Lawyer, and it’s been a great binge!

What’s on your Spotify ‘recently played’? Any guilty pleasures or go-to anthems?

Nicky: Lately, I’ve been listening to a lot of lyricless music while working—anything from lounge music to classical. It’s the perfect background music.

If I’m being totally honest, though, my Spotify ‘recently played’ is currently dominated by my toddler’s music of choice, including the Peppa Pig album (yes, she has her own album!). My guilty pleasure is, and always will be, Eminem and all things ’90s/’00s hip-hop.

It’s Friday night. It’s been a long week. It’s time to relax on the sofa and order takeout. What are you ordering?

Nicky: Sushi and Japanese food are my go-tos. I especially love sashimi or a really good ramen.

You’ve just marked your 11-year anniversary at Decoded. What sparked your passion for technology education, and what keeps you excited about it today?

Nicky: From learning basic code to personalise my MySpace profile to being the unofficial ‘tech support’ for family and friends, I’ve always been drawn to technology. When I met Kathryn Parsons and Richard Peters in 2014, I realised Decoded sat at the perfect intersection of my passion for tech and business, and I’ve never looked back.

I’m often asked why I’ve been at Decoded for so long, and the answer is always the opportunity to learn and develop. We spend our working days understanding new and emerging technologies and helping individuals and businesses worldwide embrace them. For me, that’s such an exciting place to be—always moving forward.

What’s the best piece of advice a colleague or manager has ever given you? And how has it shaped the way you work?

Nicky: A former colleague once told me to ‘be like a swan’—calm and composed on the surface, even when paddling furiously underneath.

That advice stuck with me because so much of my work involves managing multiple projects or areas of the business. To give assurance and confidence to my clients, teams, and stakeholders, I focus on maintaining clarity and composure, even in fast-moving or complex situations. It’s a reminder that how you show up is just as important as what you deliver.

What’s a piece of technology—whether it’s a gadget, platform, app, or tool—that has truly changed the way you work or live?

Nicky: I know it may seem like an obvious answer, but GenAI has completely transformed the way I work in the last year or so. It’s changed how I approach day-to-day tasks, strategic development, and problem-solving, allowing me to work more efficiently and think more creatively.

More importantly, because I help leaders and teams understand AI, using it daily gives me real, hands-on experience to bring to those conversations. It’s not just a tool for productivity; it’s a catalyst for new ways of working.

With AI and automation evolving rapidly, is there a tech trend that you’re particularly excited (or skeptical) about?

Nicky: I’m a bit skeptical about how some existing platforms are integrating AI into their solutions. There’s a real question of whether these AI features are truly valuable or if they’re just being added as a marketing gimmick to avoid seeming outdated.

While some AI-powered tools are genuinely transformative, others feel like rushed add-ons that don’t meaningfully enhance the user experience. For example, many word processors now have AI-generated writing suggestions, but sometimes they produce generic, uninspired text that doesn’t actually improve clarity or creativity. In contrast, AI-powered transcription tools have been a game-changer, saving time and increasing accessibility.

The real test will be whether these integrations truly solve problems or just add to the noise.

If you could invent a piece of technology to make your work or life easier, what would it be?

Nicky: I’d love a truly intelligent personal AI assistant—not just one that responds to prompts but one that proactively anticipates what I need, summarises key priorities before meetings, filters out noise, and nudges me when I need to focus on the big picture.

Something that feels less like a chatbot and more like a trusted second brain.

We’re getting closer, but I’m still waiting for the AI that knows when I need to step away from my inbox and focus on big-picture thinking!

Patrick: This has been great, Nicky! Really enjoyed the conversation – thanks for sharing.

Nicky: Loved it! Thanks, Patrick!

 

To learn more about Decoded’s AI for Leaders Immersions – designed to equip leaders with the skills, insights, and strategies to harness AI effectively – click here.