How Do We Maintain Our Humanity While Using AI for Marketing, Branding, Therapy, & Education?
Season 7/Episode 4
Hannah Ryu is a storyteller, AI Strategist, and the co-founder of Oak Theory, a creative technology studio specializing in UX/UI, web, application design, and development. We explore:
- Co-founding a creative technology studio, aiming to address the lack of diversity in UX design firms.
- Confronting negative self-talk/narratives when building a business
- The role of perfectionism in Korean culture
- The exciting utility of AI in creating tailored educational information for children, increasing accessibility to education
- Use of AI for self-reflection and as a starting point to engage in therapy
- How to maintain being human through curiosity, accepting that we make mistakes, and unconditional love
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Hannah's full bio:
Hannah is a storyteller, AI Strategist, and the co-founder of Oak Theory, a creative technology studio specializing in UX/UI, web, application design, and development. With over a decade of experience across branding, UX/UI, and digital strategy, she partners with organizations navigating transformation, helping them turn complexity into clear, scalable experiences.
As a first-generation Korean American and mother of two, Hannah brings a layered lens to leadership, blending creative instinct, cultural awareness, and operational know-how, especially during times of growth, change, or reinvention.
Her expertise has been trusted by industry leaders and universities like Google, Optum, Columbia University, and Vanderbilt University. She’s been featured at the Women in Tech Global Conference, on the top 0.5% business podcast The UpFlip Podcast, and in outlets such as Forbes, Success Magazine, and Entrepreneur.
The company's websites are oaktheory.co and undertheoak.co. Under the Oak is a media company that seeks to discuss how to be more human.
Socials: https://www.instagram.com/oaktheory.co/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannahryu/
Summary:
Oak Theory's Cultural Heritage Focus
Hannah co-founded Oak Theory with Veronica in 2020, after meeting while working in tech. Hannah noted that her Korean heritage played a significant role in the company's creation.
Founding a Diverse UX Studio
Hannah and Stephanie discussed the founding of Hannah's creative technology studio, which aims to address the lack of diversity in UX design firms. Hannah explained that she and Veronica, a black woman, started the business after realizing they were among the few women of color leading such firms. They bootstrapped the company, facing various challenges including financial difficulties and team management issues. Hannah viewed running the business as a personal growth opportunity, allowing her to confront and overcome her own challenges
Challenging Perfectionism in Korean Culture
Hannah discussed her struggle with perfectionism and the cultural pressure to maintain a perfect image, particularly within the Korean community. She shared how this pressure affected her business and personal life, including fears of failure and criticism. Hannah also touched on the broader impact of these societal expectations, highlighting how they contribute to mental health issues. She expressed a desire to challenge these norms and promote individuality.
Public Speaking and AI Insights
Hannah discussed her approach to public speaking and self-expression, emphasizing the value of practice and acceptance of imperfection. She shared her experience of using TikTok to build confidence in speaking and interacting online. Stephanie and Hannah then shifted the conversation to the topic of AI, with Hannah discussing the impact on society, particularly in relation to her children's future.
Human-Centric AI and Creative Workflows
Hannah discussed the potential for personalized education and AI's role as a tool in creative workflows, emphasizing the importance of human interaction and creativity. She highlighted the launch of Oak Theory, a media company focused on fostering human-centric discussions in the age of AI. Stephanie and Hannah explored the concept of what it means to be human, with Hannah emphasizing curiosity, the ability to make mistakes, and being present in the moment.
AI in Education: Balancing Tools
Stephanie and Hannah discussed the role of AI in education and how to teach the next generation to use it as a tool rather than a dictator. Hannah shared her perspective as a parent and business owner, emphasizing the importance of balancing work and family life. She described how having children has helped her understand that her value as a person is not solely defined by her work, and she strives to maintain a harmonious balance between her professional and personal life.
Reevaluating Self-Worth Through Parenting
Hannah shared her personal journey of reevaluating her sense of worth and value, realizing that she had previously equated her worth with output and performance. Through reflecting on her role as a mother, she discovered the importance of valuing herself and others for who they are rather than what they achieve. Stephanie acknowledged Hannah's insights and expressed appreciation for the self-reflection, noting that parenting can offer valuable life lessons about values and self-worth.
AI in Therapy: Human Connection
Stephanie and Hannah discussed the intersection of AI and therapy, with both expressing skepticism about AI replacing human therapists due to the importance of human connection. Hannah shared her perspective that AI could serve as a tool to help people reflect on their thoughts and feelings, particularly for demographics that might find traditional therapy challenging, while also acting as a non-judgmental funnel to professional help when needed. Stephanie highlighted that AI is not a replacement for therapy, and there are many conditions that require accurate diagnosis and effective treatment by professionals.
Oak Theory's Human-Centered Design Approach
Hannah discussed Oak Theory's approach to creating human-centered digital experiences, emphasizing the importance of understanding audience needs and challenging biases. She explained their work in branding and design, including a project with a California university to address Western savior narratives. Hannah also shared Oak Theory's future plans, focusing on AI's role in enhancing human experiences and continuing to work with mission-based organizations. The company's websites are oaktheory.co and undertheoak.co.
