No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

NB67 - The Last Rant (Final Episode)

Wed, 15 Oct 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this final episode of the No Brainer podcast, hosts Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino reflect on their journey through the AI industry, discussing the challenges, hype, and potential of AI technology. They express their frustrations with the current state of AI, particularly the influence of companies like OpenAI, and the impact of misinformation on society. The conversation shifts to the positive applications of AI, emphasizing the need for technology to elevate humanity. They also explore the evolving landscape of marketing and content creation in the age of AI, highlighting the importance of quality information and genuine human-to-human engagement. As they sign off, they share their hopes for the future of AI and the need for companies to adopt a more responsible approach to technology.

Some Key Takeaways

The AI industry is filled with hype and misinformation, with OpenAI's role in feeding the hype machine and their fixation on profit over purpose being particularly problematic.
·AI has the potential to elevate humanity but only if the people and organizations who adopt it focus on solving real-world problems rather than pure productivity and efficiency.
The current state of information quality is declining due to AI, with misinformation and disinformation harming the entire information ecosystem – from media to the web to social networks.
The nature of content is evolving rapidly due to AI technologies. Creators and companies need to adapt at the speed of change, while maintaining a clear focus on quality, value, engagement, and human connection.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Farewell to the Podcast

02:42 Reflections on the AI Industry

05:14 Critique of AI Hype and Influencer Culture

08:03 The Dark Side of AI: OpenAI and Its Impact

10:55 Positive Aspects of Generative AI

13:39 The Future of Work and AI's Role

16:20 The Changing Landscape of Content Creation

22:18 The Toxicity of the Information Ecosystem

27:37 The Challenges of Digital Marketing

37:04 The Future of AI and Humanity

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NB 66: Navigating Answer Engine Optimization Approaches

Wed, 24 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0000

An exploration of one of marketing AI’s hottest trends with Katherin Watier Ong

In this episode of No Brainer, Geoff and Greg dive deep into the evolving landscape of search engine optimization with Katherine Watier Ong, founder of WO Strategies. Katherine brings her 10+ years of experience helping science-based organizations navigate the complexities of modern search—from traditional SEO to the emerging world of AI-powered answers.

The conversation explores the hype surrounding Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and Generative Engine Optimization (GEO), with Katherine providing a refreshingly grounded perspective that it's still fundamentally SEO at its core. She shares practical insights on how to optimize for Google's AI Overviews and discusses why the fundamentals haven't changed as much as the industry buzz might suggest.

Katherine reveals compelling data showing that while AI-powered search features are getting attention, they currently represent only about 1-3% of actual traffic for most organizations. She emphasizes that brands should focus on solid SEO foundations before chasing the latest AI optimization trends.

The discussion also covers the broader challenges facing marketers today, including the rise of zero-click searches, degraded marketing data from GA4, and the increasing difficulty of measurement in a privacy-first world.

Chapters

· 06:00 AEO vs GEO: Marketing Hype or Real Distinction?

· 11:34 What Still Matters: SEO Fundamentals That Haven't Changed

· 15:15 The Real Changes: Zero-Click Searches and Data Challenges

· 21:20 AI Integration in SEO Workflows

· 28:50 The Misinformation Problem with AI Answers

· 34:15 User Embeddings and Personalization Bubble Effects

· 39:30 Beyond Brand Control: Why Reddit Matters More Than Press Releases

· 44:10 Measuring Success in the Age of AI Search

About Katherine Watier Ong

Katherine Watier Ong is the founder and CEO of WO Strategies, a boutique organic traffic consultancy specializing in science-based, enterprise-sized organizations. With over 30 years of marketing experience and 18+ years focused on SEO, she helps federal agencies, nonprofits, and Fortune 500 companies improve their organic search performance.

Previously, Katherine served as VP of Online Strategy at Ketchum, where she recruited, trained, and led the online strategy team, providing digital marketing services for global clients including NY State of Health, HHS, Express Scripts, Cleveland Clinic, and Hershey. Her campaigns have had significant impact—she's helped increase traffic from 300K to 1.2 million visits and assisted New Yorkers with health exchange registration.

Katherine is an accomplished trainer and public speaker who has provided SEO and digital marketing education for over 13 years. She's spoken at conferences including Voice Global, BrightonSEO, SES, and OMS. Her approach is grounded in her belief that "anyone can create change with enough passion and determination," a philosophy shaped by her early environmental activism work that included building websites, securing NPR coverage, and creating educational curricula.

Connect with Katherine:

· Website: wostrategies.com

· Free AI Mode Guide: bit.ly/writingforAImode

· LinkedIn: Katherine W. Ong: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katherinewatier/

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NB65 - AI & the Future of MarTech with chiefmartec Scott Brinker

Wed, 10 Sep 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of No Brainer, hosts Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino welcome Scott Brinker, one of the world’s leading experts on marketing technology. You may know him from his long-running blog at chiefmartec and his widely used MarTech landscape “supergraphic”, as the man AdAge has called the “Godfather of MarTech,” or from his time as HubSpot’s VP of Platform Ecosystem.

Scott shares his insights about the evolving role of AI in marketing, the AI opportunities and challenges faced by small and mid-sized businesses, and the importance of data strategy for successful marketing AI implementation. The conversation emphasizes the need for organizations to adapt their culture and leadership to embrace AI, focusing on innovation rather than just efficiency. The episode concludes with insights on the future of work and the potential of AI to transform industries.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:17 The Intersection of Marketing and Technology

06:47 Challenges for Different Business Sizes

10:09 Empowering Smaller Businesses with Technology

13:57 The Power of Individual Creators

19:57 Navigating Change in Organizations

23:52 Data as a Strategic Asset

24:38 The Importance of Data Infrastructure

28:43 AI's Role in Data Management

33:44 Embracing Innovation Over Efficiency

38:41 The Future of Work and AI

45:29 Final Thoughts and Future Directions

Links

Scott’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sjbrinker/
Chiefmartec: https://chiefmartec.com/
The latest MarTech “Supergraphic:” https://chiefmartec.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/05/martech-map-marketing-technology-landscape-2025-slide.png

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NB64 - AI As Culture, Not Just Code with the Artificiality Institute's Helen and Dave Edwards

Wed, 27 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the No Brainer podcast, Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino chat with Dave and Helen Edwards, co-founders of the Artificiality Institute, to explore the profound impact of AI on human experience and organizational culture. They discuss the philosophical and cultural shifts brought about by AI, the biases influencing narratives around productivity, and the importance of trust and AI literacy in navigating this new landscape. The conversation emphasizes the need for leaders to understand not just the complexities of AI integration into their organization, but the broader human experience it shapes. The Artificiality Institute is a nonprofit that researches, documents, and promotes a deeper, more human-centered understanding of the human experience in an age of increasing synthetic intelligence, or AI. Through its work, Artificiality aims to foster meaningful human-AI collaboration and design systems that support, rather than supplant, human identity and well-being. Their annual Artificiality Summit is happening in Bend, Oregon, from October 23 through 25. • Explore Artificiality Institute and its work: https://artificialityinstitute.org/ • Attend the Artificiality Summit, October 23-25 in Bend, Oregon: https://artificialityinstitute.org/summit/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI and Its Impact on Organizations 02:44 Understanding AI as a Cultural Shift 05:40 The Human Experience with AI 08:18 Navigating the Confusion Around AI Productivity 10:58 Bias in AI Narratives 13:46 The Role of Trust in AI Adoption 16:37 The Complexity of AI Integration in Organizations 19:30 Moments of Change in the AI Landscape 27:08 Understanding Moments in Human Experience 29:50 The Neuroscience of Moments 32:00 AI's Role in Human Consciousness 36:36 The Benefits and Hazards of AI 38:28 The Importance of AI Literacy 41:52 Cultural Change vs. Technology Adoption 44:50 Trust and Productivity in AI Adoption

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NB63 - Smart Resilience for the AI Age

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Dr. Rebekka Reinhard and Thomas Vasek -- the team behind human magazine -- join CognitivePath founders Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston for a provocative conversation about why smart resilience, ethics, regulation and responsibility are essential for creating a human forward future in the age of AI. Tune in for a deep dive into the philosophical and practical implications of AI on society, democracy, and our collective future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

03:34 Smart Resilience in the Age of AI

07:09 Navigating Crises in a Complex World

11:03 Cultural Perspectives on Resilience

12:06 Global Perspectives on AI Development

16:12 Ethics and Morality in AI Regulation

21:32 The EU AI Act and Its Implications

26:09 Power Dynamics and Global Perception

28:28 AI's Role in Democracy

32:14 AI's Impact on Human Resilience

34:38 The Dangers of AI in the Workplace

38:19 Repression and Job Replacement through AI

41:09 A Hopeful Vision for the Future

About Rebekka

Dr. Rebekka Reinhard is a philosopher and SPIEGEL bestselling author. It’s her mission to take philosophy out of the ivory tower and put it back where it belongs: real life. The is the founder of human, the first German magazine about life and work in the AI age. Connect with her at https://linkedin.com/in/rebekkareinhard

About Thomas

Thomas Vasek is editor-in-chief and head of content at human. He began his journalism career as an investigative reporter at the Austrian news magazine Profil. As founding editor-in-chief, he launched the German edition of the renowned MIT Technology Review in 2003 and the philosophy magazine HOHE LUFT in 2010. From 2006 to 2010, he served as editor-in-chief of P.M. Magazin. Connect with him at https://www.linkedin.com/in/thomas-va%C5%A1ek-637b6b233/

About human Magazine

human is the first magazine to take a holistic look at the impact of AI on business, politics, society, and culture – always with a focus on the human being. Issues are published in German (print/digital) and English (digital only).

Learn more and subscribe: https://human-magazin.de/

Download the free “Smart Resilience” white paper: https://human-magazin.de/#consulting

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NB 62 - Navigating AI in Business: Integration, Leadership Challenges, and Future Perspectives

Wed, 30 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of No Brainer, hosts Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino discussed the evolving role of artificial intelligence (AI) in business with Mike Whitaker (Whit for short), Senior Vice President of Strategy Execution and Organizational Innovation at ICF Consulting. Whit shares his insights on fostering a culture of AI adoption and offers practical advice on navigating the challenges of integrating AI into business operations.

The three discuss various aspects of AI adoption in the enterprise, including the need for both leaders and employees to engage with AI technologies to stay relevant. Whit details some of the challenges leaders face including new technology bias and the incumbent need for leaders to demonstrate AI use in their own work.

Then Whit emphasized the importance of a hands-on, continuous learning approach to AI, rather than relying solely on obsolete corporate training programs. They also explore the potential risks and real-world constraints of AI implementation, such as data integrity and resistance to change.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:16 Whit's Substack on AI for Working Parents

08:23 Leadership and AI Adaptation

13:57 Middle Management's Role in AI Integration

18:57 Corporate Training and AI

22:07 Practical AI Applications for Executives

28:24 Overcoming Cognitive Resistance

32:15 Healthy Skepticism and AI

37:59 Balancing AI Adoption and Investment

44:55 Leadership's Role in AI Integration

About Mike “Whit” Whitaker

Whit helps organizations and individuals realize their full potential by designing strategies, teams, and operating models that drive value and positive change. As AI rapidly evolves, Whit focuses on enabling effective Human-AI collaboration to enhance business outcomes.
As SVP of Strategy Execution and Organizational Innovation at ICF, Whit leads initiatives that foster high-value collaboration, spark creativity, and drive growth. With 15+ years of experience across energy, health, communications, and government, he specializes in:
• Advising the C-Suite on enterprise priorities and innovation strategy • Leading ICF’s centralized innovation services to accelerate growth • Designing and facilitating Spark Sessions to co-create solutions for complex challenges

Navigating AI Transitions Substack: https://mikewhitaker1.substack.com/

Whit’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelwhitakericf/

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NB61 - AI & The Tao of Jack Myers

Wed, 16 Jul 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this thought-provoking episode, Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston sit down with media ecologist, leadership expert, and author Jack Myers for a wide-ranging conversation on the intersection of AI, leadership, creativity, and Taoist philosophy. Drawing on insights from his latest book, The Tao of Leadership, Jack shares why 3,000-year-old Taoist wisdom might be the perfect guide for navigating today’s era of AI and exponential technological change.

The conversation explores how principles like “leading by following” and “fusion flow” can help leaders move more fluidly through uncertainty, disruption, and accelerated innovation. Rather than building slow, rigid bridges to a future that keeps shifting, Jack advocates for fast-moving portals that help teams adapt in real time, led not just by technology but by deeply human values. Jack, Greg and Geoff also unpack the creative implications of AI, arguing that the real power lies not in replacement but in remix: combining machine-generated suggestions with human intuition, emotional nuance, and originality.

Along the way, they touch on education, culture, risk-taking, and what it takes to lead through fear, data deluge, and systemic stagnation. With stories drawn from marketing, media, music, and even (wait for it…) Second Life, this episode offers a human-centered lens on a fast-evolving future and invites listeners to rethink not just how we work but how we imagine what’s possible.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:57 The Relevance of Taoism in Leadership

05:30 AI and Technology: Embracing Change

08:08 Portals vs. Bridges: Navigating Change

10:43 Decisive Leadership in a Rapidly Changing World

16:17 Balancing Data and Humanity in Decision Making

19:04 Creativity and Innovation in the Age of AI

27:36 The State of Creativity in Media

29:13 AI as a Creative Partner

32:33 The Resistance to AI in Creative Fields

35:42 AI's Ubiquity in Everyday Tools

40:35 The Future of AI and Education

43:22 AI Reshaping Organizational Models

About Jack Myers

Jack Myers is a pioneering media ecologist and influential thought leader whose work has put him at the forefront of technological, cultural, and generational change. Known for his visionary insight into emerging trends and deep expertise in organizational dynamics, he has served as a trusted advisor and coach to leaders at many of the world’s most innovative companies, including General Motors, Comcast/NBCUniversal, Microsoft, CBS, TJX Corp, Aegis/Carat, Campbell Soup, Warner Bros. Discovery, Active International, and The Walt Disney Company. As the founder of The Myers Report and MediaVillage Education Foundation, the media industry’s premier knowledge exchange platform, Jack helps organizations navigate disruption, unlock growth opportunities, and align strategy with the future. He is also a senior lecturer, award-winning author, and recipient of honors including a Peabody Award, International Book Awards, UJA Humanitarian Award, and Oscar and Emmy nominations. A graduate of Syracuse University and NYU Steinhardt, where he studied under media scholar Dr. Neil Postman, Jack brings a rare combination of media literacy, cultural fluency, and strategic foresight to leaders preparing their organizations for the age of AI, machine intelligence, and accelerating change.

For More About Jack, His Work, and The Tao of Leadership

· https://www.jackmyers.com

· https://www.jackmyers.com/themyersreport/

· https://www.mediavillage.com/

· https://www.jackmyers.com/visionary-blueprint-for-thriving-in-the-age-of-ai/

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The Future of AI in Customer Service: Voice Reigns.

Tue, 01 Jul 2025 19:00:00 -0000

In this episode of No Brainer, Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston host Carson Hostetter, EVP & General Manager, AI and CX Solutions at RingCentral to discuss the evolution of AI in customer service. The company just launched AIR, short for AI Receptionist. AIR is a call center agent that intersects using audio technology.

They dive into how AI agents like RingCentral's AIR are transforming the way businesses handle customer interactions, ensuring seamless, 24/7 service. Voice becomes a primary discussion point as the three debate the merits of voice as the primary human interface over text. Carson provides valuable insights into the importance of combining AI with human agents for optimal customer satisfaction, data security practices, and the future trajectory of AI in business communications.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:43 The Role of AI in Customer Communications

12:34 Understanding AIR: AI Receptionist

17:55 AI and Voice: The Future

35:42 Closing Thoughts and Future of AI

This episode was sponsored by RingCentral.

About Carson Hostetter

Carson Hostetter is EVP & General Manager, AI and CX Solutions at RingCentral, where he is responsible for developing and implementing the company's AI and CX strategy. He brings over 25 years of industry experience to this newly created role, focusing on delivering tangible ROI for customers.

Connect with Carson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/carsonhostetter/

About RingCentral

RingCentral is a leading provider of cloud-based business communications and collaboration solutions. Its platform combines messaging, video, phone, and contact center services, enabling organizations to connect and work from anywhere. Trusted by businesses worldwide, RingCentral helps teams stay productive, responsive, and secure in today’s hybrid work environment.

To learn more about RingCentral AIR visit: https://www.ringcentral.com/air?BMID=CMRCAIRINMNB2025

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Tackling AI & Workforce Disruption - with the American Enterprise Institute's Brent Orrell

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Disclaimer: Portions of this episode experienced audio challenges and are of varying quality. Unintelligible sections were edited out.

In this episode of No Brainer, Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino discuss the impact of AI on workforce displacement with special guest Brent Orrell, senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. They explore the challenges and opportunities posed by AI, how it affects different sectors, and the need for policy planning to support displaced workers.

Brent, Greg and Geoff weigh the validity of news-generating outlier statements about dramatic AI workforce impacts. Then they discuss Brent’s upcoming paper, which will be released this week, on AI impacts to the larger workforce called, “Deskilling the Knowledge Economy,” including potential policy recommendations. Finally, the three conclude with a conversation about the challenges facing the AI market.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:15 AIand Workforce Impacts

05:57 Upskilling and Personal Responsibility

08:49 Future of Jobs and AI

12:40 Policy and Economic Implications

22:42 Challenges in AI Adoption

About Brent
Brent on AEI.org - https://www.aei.org/profile/brent-orrell/

Brent on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/brent-orrell-b503617/

Brent Orrell is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute (AEI), specializing in job training and workforce development with a special focus on disconnected and disadvantaged populations, including youth, justice-involved, veterans, and neurodivergent persons. His recent work has focused on the workforce opportunities and challenges resulting from generative AI and automation, as well as strategies for improving economic mobility in rural, redeveloping, and non-metropolitan areas throughout America. Brent has spearheaded AEI’s involvement with the Workforce Futures Initiative, in collaboration with the Brookings Institution and the Harvard Kennedy School, which has produced multiple reports, working group sessions, and interest from communities across the US.

He has written, coauthored, and edited multiple reports for AEI, and frequently contributes to the popular press, including The Bulwark, Deseret News, The Dispatch, Law and Liberty, The Hill and RealClearPolicy.

About AEI

The American Enterprise Institute is a public policy think tank dedicated to defending human dignity, expanding human potential, and building a freer and safer world. The work of their scholars and staff advances ideas rooted in the belief in democracy, free enterprise, American strength and global leadership, solidarity with those at the periphery of our society, and a pluralistic, entrepreneurial culture.

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NB58 - The Future of AI in Associations with ASAE award winner KiKi L'Italien

Wed, 11 Jun 2025 04:00:00 -0000

Big Red M executive VP, Association Chat Founder, and 2025 ASAE Academy of Leaders Award winner Kiki L’Italien joins Geoff Livingston to discuss the evolving landscape of AI in the association sector, touching on its opportunities and challenges.

Despite the hype around AI's potential to replace jobs, both agree that associations are more likely to benefit from AI in terms of improved efficiency rather than job losses.

KiKi and Geoff talk about the importance of trust, the impact of AI on jobs, and the need for better understanding and utilization of available technologies. They also touch on the importance of intellectual property, cybersecurity, and the barriers to adopting AI-driven solutions in associations.

00:00 Intro

04:36 AI Adoption in Associations

08:05 Challenges and Resistance in AI Implementation

17:31 Future of AI and Job Market Speculations

22:51 Salesforce's Struggles with Agent Force Adoption

23:55 Challenges in the Association Space

24:37 The Importance of Customization and Personalization

29:12 Opportunities with AI and Data

31:19 Trust and Intellectual Property in Associations

36:06 Barriers and Education in Associations

40:31 The Role of Technology in Associations

About KiKi L’Italien

As the Executive VP of Marketing and Community Engagement at Big Red M, KiKi L'Italien enables associations to grow their revenue and impact through research, sales, and consulting. With over a decade of experience as a chief strategist, she has delivered technology and marketing consultation and digital transformation guidance to clients across various sectors, facilitating improved member engagement and event experiences. She has also written and produced multiple courses and an ebook on Generative AI and budgeting for associations.
KiKi L'Italien is also the CEO and Editor-In-Chief of Association Chat, an online community, blog, and podcast that she founded in 2009. Association Chat connects, educates, and inspires association professionals through compelling interviews, insightful content, and interactive events. With over 72k annual subscribers, Association Chat is a recognized and respected source of information and inspiration in the association industry.

For her long-term commitment and contributions to the association community and society at large, KiKi was honored with the Association of Association Executives (ASAE) 2025 Academy of Leaders Award.

KiKi’s LinkedIn profile - https://www.linkedin.com/in/kikilitalien/

Association Chat - https://associationchat.com/

Big Red M - https://bigredm.com/

The Trust Project - https://thetrustproject.substack.com/

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NB57 - AI on the Org Chart

Wed, 28 May 2025 16:49:00 -0000

The impact of AI on jobs is back in the headlines. Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino took to LinkedIn Live to weigh in on the truth behind the hype—what’s really driving layoffs, how leaders should respond, and why reimagining work is the only path forward.

They discuss the complex relationship between AI and job loss, exploring the economic pressures that lead to workforce reductions, and the impact of the AI hype cycle. They emphasize the need for organizations to reimagine work in the age of AI, highlighting the importance of leadership adaptation and the integration of human labor with technology. The conversation also touches on ethical considerations and the future of work as companies navigate these changes.

In this conversation, Greg and Geoff explore the multifaceted challenges and opportunities presented by the rise of AI and automation across various sectors. They discuss the impending difficulties in the workforce, particularly for entry-level jobs, the necessity for reskilling and upskilling, and the unique challenges faced by nonprofits. The conversation also covers the marketing sector's adaptation to automation, the economic implications of AI, and the importance of scenario planning for future business strategies.

Note: This episode is a recording of a LinkedIn Live broadcast from 9am ET, May 28, 2025. Other than some minor audio clean-up, we’re presenting it as-is.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Overview of AI Job Loss

02:47 The Impact of AI on Employment

06:01 Understanding the AI Hype Cycle

08:55 Economic Pressures and Workforce Reductions

11:53 Reimagining Work in the Age of AI

14:57 Leadership in the Age of AI

18:10 Integrating Humans and AI

20:55 Ethics and the Future of Work

24:34 Navigating the Storm: Challenges Ahead

27:04 The Horizontal Impact of AI

30:29 Reskilling and Upskilling in the Age of AI

31:44 The Nonprofit Sector: Opportunities and Challenges

32:15 Marketing in the Age of Automation

36:30 The Future of Entry-Level Jobs

39:27 The Economic Implications of AI

43:46 Scenario Planning for the Future

47:28 Cultural Impacts of AI Adoption

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NB56 - The Lead Industrial Complex Is Dead

Wed, 14 May 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of No Brainer, Geoff Livingston and Pete Erickson discuss the evolving landscape of lead generation and marketing strategies in the age of AI. Pete declares that the lead industrial complex is dead, with AI and eroding customer trust dramatically impacting demand generation. As an owner of AI event company Modev and consultant, Pete is experiencing these changes firsthand.

Pete and Geoff explore how traditional methods are becoming less effective, the importance of building genuine relationships, and the future of events in fostering human connections. Pete shares insights on the challenges faced by marketers and event organizers, emphasizing the need for a shift towards trust-driven growth and ecosystem building. Event organizers must adapt to changing market dynamics and focus on essential ecosystem building for sustainable growth.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:23 The Lead Industrial Complex Is Dead

11:14 The Shift in Event Marketing and Infrastructure

16:14 The Evolution of AI and Influencers

18:17 Ecosystem Building in Event Planning

22:09 Building Relationships in AI Business

27:57 The Shift in Event Planning and Human Connection

About Pete Erickson

Pete Erickson is founder of Modev and executive director of the Tech Ecosystem Institute, He has spent over 15 years building communities at the intersection of emerging tech and human transformation. He is fully committed to a new model of industry engagement: Trust Driven Growth.
Learn More and Connect with Pete

Pete Erickson: https://www.linkedin.com/in/peteerickson/

Modev: https://www.modev.com/

Tech Ecosystem Institute: https://www.linkedin.com/company/tech-ecosystem-institute

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NB55 - Addressing Misinformation and Disformation in the Age of AI - with guest Britt Bischoff

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of 'No Brainer,' hosts Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston dive into the critical issue of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age with entrepreneur Britt Bischoff. They discuss the rapid evolution of AI and its impact on information integrity, defining key terms such as misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.

Britt, who has an extensive background combatting AI disinformation, shares insights on the role of algorithms in shaping public narratives, the challenges of combating false information, and the importance of media literacy. Britt, Geoff, and Greg also discuss the economic and reputational risks for brands in this landscape, and touch on new Texas legislation aimed at increasing transparency about bot accounts.

Major talking points include:

The distinction between misinformation (false information shared without harmful intent) and disinformation (deliberately deceptive information shared to mislead or manipulate).
The role of AI in accelerating the spread of misinformation and disinformation, making it faster and cheaper to create false content at scale.
How search engines and AI search tools are being used by people trying to understand current events but can inadvertently reinforce misinformation.
The strategic use of disinformation by political actors and how Project 2025 serves as a blueprint for manipulating public knowledge.
How brands and organizations can become targets of narrative attacks based on misinformation, as exemplified by the Girl Scouts cookie controversy.
Strategies brands can use to defend against misinformation attacks, including monitoring, internal audits, and AI simulations for response planning.
Texas's new Bot Transparency legislation aimed at requiring disclosure of automated accounts that spread misinformation.
The role of media platforms in amplifying sensationalized content and how this creates algorithmic narratives that shape public perception.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:09 Understanding Misinformation and Disinformation

05:27 The Impact of AI on Information Warfare

09:09 Strategies to Combat Disinformation

23:27 The Role of Brands in the Disinformation Ecosystem

33:50 Texas Bot Regulation and Its Implications

Where to Find Britt

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brittbischoff/

Britt Bischoff Strategies: https://brittbischoff.com/

Encyclopedia Britt(annica): https://brittannica.substack.com/

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NB54 - AI in Media, Music and More with award-winning journalist Lindsey Mastis

Wed, 16 Apr 2025 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of No Brainer, Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston welcome Lindsey Mastis—an independent journalist, keynote speaker, and AI enthusiast. Lindsey shares her perspective on the positive potential of AI, drawing on her background in journalism and her latest work, including a mini-documentary exploring how AI is reshaping the music industry.

The conversation dives into why general public adoption of AI still lags behind its rapid technological advancement. Lindsey, Greg, and Geoff explore the trust gap, the role media plays in public education about AI, and the ongoing dominance of ChatGPT in the large language model space. The discussion moves through the evolving impacts of AI on multiple industries, including journalism, customer service, and music.

They examine how AI is creating efficiencies and reducing pressure for human workers in customer service—yet simultaneously placing many of those same jobs at risk. In journalism, they reflect on the importance of critical thinking in an era when AI-generated content is becoming increasingly common. And in music, Lindsey offers a behind-the-scenes look at her current project, which highlights how artists and technologists are experimenting with AI to transform creative expression.

The episode also previews Lindsey’s upcoming video series designed to help public relations professionals better understand the realities of working with AI-savvy journalists and navigating a tech-transformed media landscape.

Chapters

00:00 – Opening and Intro

03:14 – Discussion on AI's Positive Impact

07:22 – Media's Role in AI Education

16:53 – Customer Service and AI

31:41 – Critical Thinking and AI

35:09 – AI in Music Industry

40:21 – TV Journalist Series to Help PR Professionals

42:27 – Conclusion and Contact Information

About Lindsey Mastis

Lindsey Mastis is a regional Edward R. Murrow and four-time Emmy Award-winning journalist, speaker, and media consultant with a deep focus on AI and emerging technology. With 20 years of experience in broadcast journalism, she has a talent for making complex topics relatable and showing their real-world impact. Today, she helps organizations understand and communicate how AI is transforming their industries, advising on AI storytelling, strategy, and public engagement.

Links

Lindsey on YouTube

Lindsey's Website

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NB53 - Making Human-Friendly AI Decisions with Tech Humanist Kate O’Neill

Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:54:00 -0000

In this episode of No Brainer, hosts Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino chat with Kate O'Neill about leadership, human-friendly AI decision making, and her new book What Matters Next. Kate is the founder and CEO of strategic advisory firm KO Insights, host of the Tech Humanist Show, a highly acclaimed global keynote speaker, and a four-time business author. Her work has earned her a coveted spot on the Thinkers50 Radar in 2020 and she was shortlisted for the Thinkers50 Digital Thinking Award in 2023.

Drawing on the key themes from her latest book and her wider body of work, Kate emphasizes the need for leaders to balance action and inaction, approach the future as an extension of the decisions we make today, align technology with human experience, and maintain a clear purpose in their organizations. the discussion also touches on the role of strategic optimism in shaping a better future through informed decision-making.

Links:

· About Kate: https://www.koinsights.com/about-kate/

· Connect with Kate: https://linkedin.com/in/kateoneill

· What Matters Next: https://www.koinsights.com/books/what-matters-next-book/

· About KO Insights: https://koinsights.com

· The Tech Humanist Show: https://thetechhumanistshow.com

Chapters

00:00 Intro

02:41 What’s a Tech Humanist?

05:30 Navigating Human-Friendly Technology Decisions

08:08 The Impact of Deregulation on Technology Decisions

10:42 Balancing Action and Inaction

13:26 The Role of Purpose in Technology Decisions

25:21 Aligning Technology with Purpose

27:34 Articulating Purpose for Digital Transformation

29:37 Integrating Technology into Business Strategy

32:22 The Role of Human Workers in an AI-Driven World

33:59 Balancing Profit and Human Value

36:43 Strategic Optimism and Decision Making

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NB52 - AI for Kids. AI for Everyone - with AI and data literacy expert Amber Ivey

Wed, 19 Mar 2025 04:00:00 -0000

AiDigiTales creator and AI for Kids podcast host Amber Ivey joins Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston to discuss the significance of AI literacy for children, the role of data in AI, and how governments can use AI effectively. The conversation elaborated on the importance of educating children about AI, the practical challenges that governments face with data accuracy, and the future of AI in the public sector.

Additionally, Amber shares her insights on creating an AI playground for government agencies and the significance of parental knowledge in guiding children through AI technologies. Amber, Geoff and Greg also discuss why it’s harder for adults to get AI, and how DOGE is impacting state and local governments.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

01:40 The Importance of AI Literacy for Kids

03:31 Challenges and Solutions in AI Education

09:39 AI in Government Work, Including Procurement Challenges

16:02 Navigating Federal and State AI Challenges in a DOGE Environment

19:21 The AI for Kids Podcast

26:49 Integrating AI Education into Schools

34:31 Pairing AI Education for Parents and Kids

37:55 Data Literacy and AI Governance

You can listen to the AI for Kids podcast at https://aiforkids.buzzsprout.com; learn more about the AiDigiTales books, content, and courses at https://aidigitales.com/; contact Amber Ivey via LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/amberivey/); and learn more about Social Finance here: https://socialfinance.org/.

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NB51: What Do Scrapple, Margaritaville, and the 2024 Election Have in Common? Advocacy AI

Wed, 05 Mar 2025 05:00:00 -0000

Harnessing AI and Data in Advocacy featuring Tom Spencer from AdvocacyAI

Get ready for a fascinating discussion about how AI is impacting the political advocacy space with Tom Spencer, CEO and Founder of AdvocacyAI. In this episode of the No Brainer Podcast, Tom, Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston dive into explore topics ranging from the role of AI in advocacy, effective data utilization, and the human element in political communication.

The conversation included a fascinating segment on using AI for political micro-segmentation and personalization were a major factor in the 2024 election. And yes, they do talk about English breakfasts, scrapple, the Super Bowl, and Margaritaville, too. Tom, Greg and Geoff also touch on the nuances of using AI without stripping the humanity out of advocacy efforts and reflect on the technology's larger impact on political strategies.

00:00 Start

02:07 Introducing Tom Spencer

06:00 Data's Importance in AI and Advocacy

10:04 AI Helping Human Communication

22:42 Political Communication and Data in Elections

29:54 AI's Role in Non-Profit and For-Profit Sectors

34:59 Job Loss Concerns with AI

45:33 Closing Remarks

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NB50 - "AI is Underhyped." The Future of Marketing with Shiv Singh

Wed, 19 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

As a CMO and serial marketing innovator, Shiv Singh has been on the forefront digital change for decades. So, when he says that AI is underhyped, marketers might want to pay attention.

In this 50th (50th!) episode of No Brainer, Shiv joins hosts Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino for a power-packed conversation about AI’s transformative potential and the future of marketing in an AI-driven world.

For marketers who want to remain relevant, Shiv emphasizes the importance of adapting quickly, embracing AI tools, and developing uniquely human skills to thrive in the evolving marketing landscape. The conversation dives into the evolving relationship between humans and AI, as Shiv, Greg, and Geoff share personal stories about their experiences with AI at work and in life. They discuss the implications of AI on human interactions, the importance of humility when working with AI, and the need for businesses to adapt to the changing landscape. The conversation also touches on the regulatory environment surrounding AI and concludes with insights from Shiv's book, Marketing with AI for Dummies, emphasizing practical advice for marketers and the marketing industry in the AI era. In the end, the message is clear: Get on board or get left behind.

Shiv Singh is an author, advisor, and the co-founder of AI Trailblazers. He has held senior marketing leadership roles at Lending Tree, Expedia, Visa, PepsiCo, and web 1.0 superagency Razorfish. For more of his insights be sure to subscribe to Savvy AI on Substack and be sure to grab a copy of his latest book.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

04:56 Why AI is Underhyped

14:52 The Future of Marketing Careers

20:00 Human Skills in an AI-Driven World

24:51Navigating Change in Marketing

31:53 The Human-AI Connection

34:04 Embarrassing AI Experiences

45:07 Navigating AI in Business Leadership

48:00 Marketing with AI for Dummies: Insights from the Book

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NB49: Cleaning Up Sloppy AI Content

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of 'No Brainer,' Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston are joined by Nina and Steven Moss, co-founders of Mendit.ai, to address the growing influence of AI on marketing and content creation. They discuss the positive and negative impacts of AI-generated content, the importance of maintaining authenticity, and how technology can be used to detect and limit the spread of fraudulent reviews and misinformation.

Takeaways

AI is creating a lot of synthetic content that can pollute digital ecosystems.
The social impact of AI-generated content wasn't fully considered during its rollout.
Marketers need to inspire real content rather than rely on AI slop.
Understanding algorithms is crucial for navigating the digital landscape.
AI can be tailored to meet specific customer needs, enhancing personalization.
Digital literacy is essential for consumers to discern misinformation.
Brands must take responsibility for the integrity of their online presence.
The ethical implications of AI-generated content are significant and need addressing.
AI can enhance productivity but should not replace human connection.
The future of marketing will require a balance between AI efficiency and human authenticity.

Chapters

01:53 Sloppy AI Content

06:58 The Problem of Fake Reviews

12:00 The Dangers of Manufactured Identities

17:07 The Positive Uses of AI in Content Creation

22:36 Finding the Right Balance in Marketing

30:19 The Role of Technology in Identifying Misinformation

35:28 The Future of AI and Human Interaction

Mendit.ai - https://mendit.ai/

Nina Moss - https://www.linkedin.com/in/nina-moss-1182b0300/

Steven Moss - https://www.linkedin.com/in/steven-moss-65333732b/

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NB48 - It Takes a Community… AI for Associations with Higher Logic CTO Conor Sibley

Wed, 22 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0000

If data is gold, then the domain-specific data in membership and customer communities is platinum.

In this episode of No Brainer, CognitivePath’s Greg and Geoff discuss the high-potential intersection of community, content, and AI with Conor Sibley, CTO of Higher Logic – an industry leader in cloud-based engagement platforms for associations and enterprises.

They explore the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, particularly in the context of community knowledge, data governance, and operational efficiency. The conversation highlights the importance of leveraging community insights, ensuring data quality, and the transformative potential of AI agents in organizations. They also address the need for clear communication of AI's value to stakeholders and the outlook for AI in professional associations.

Connect with Conor Sibley on LinkedIn and visit HigherLogic.com to learn more about their suite of engagement solutions, including online communities and marketing automation.

Takeaways

· AI tools must be intentionally developed to avoid poor user experiences.

· Communities provide valuable domain knowledge that can enhance AI applications.

· Data governance is crucial for effective AI integration.

· Content should be viewed as a valuable data asset.

· AI can automate routine tasks, allowing staff to focus on strategic initiatives.

· Organizations need to establish data standards for better integration.

· AI can help reduce errors in critical business processes.

· The future of work will involve AI augmenting human capabilities.

· Engagement can be increased through better use of technology and data.

· AI's role is to enhance, not replace, human jobs.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

02:31 AI Integration in Community Software

05:07 Leveraging Community Knowledge for AI

08:20 Challenges of Data Validation in AI

11:28 The Importance of Data Governance

16:17 The Future of AI in Organizations

18:58 The Challenge of Data Standardization

22:00 Agent Orchestration and API Integration

27:34 Transformative Potential of AI in Membership Management

33:05 Strategic Thinking in the Age of AI

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NB47 - AI Trends Heading Into 2025 with Greg Kihlstrom

Wed, 08 Jan 2025 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of The No Brainer Podcast, Geoff Livingston hosts Greg Kihlstrom, an expert in agile work, marketing, and AI. They discuss trends in generative AI, practical applications of AI in business, the importance of agile principles, common misconceptions, and how to make AI less intimidating for employees. Tune in to gain insights on maximizing AI's potential while minimizing disruptions and enhancing cross-departmental cooperation.

00:00 Introduction and Greg Kihlstrom’s Background

01:29 State of AI and Its Business Implications

02:21 The Importance of Agile in AI Implementation

03:28 Challenges and Misconceptions in AI Adoption

09:18 Strategies to Help Executives Understand AI

11:07 Enhancing Efficiency and Personalization with AI

14:50 Overcoming AI Data Challenges and Democratizing Analytics

19:59 Employee Concerns Regarding AI Adoption

23:14 AI as a Horizontal Capability and Inter-departmental Cooperation

27:49 Predictions for 2025 in AI and Final Thoughts

32:59 Closing Remarks and How to Connect with Greg Kihlstrom

Interested parties can learn more about Greg Kihlstom at gregkihlstrom.com, or follow him on LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/gregkihlstrom/.

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NB46 - 4 Perspectives on Government AI

Wed, 18 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In this special episode of No Brainer, we are sharing four interviews Geoff Livingston conducted with brand experts at the recent GovAI Summit. Our speakers join us from Adobe, Abt Global, Zoom and Avaya, and discuss the state of federal, state and local adoption of AI technologies.

Conversations include the adoption of image, video, and text generative AI, ethical AI to serve citizens, taxpayers and other consumers of digital government services, how improved generative AI is continuing to improve video meeting experiences, and state and local AI adoption. Join Geoff on the media stage with our experts.

01:46 Jeffrey Young, Solution Consulting Manager and Steve Lewis, Digital Media Solutions Consultant at Adobe on creative-specific generative AI.

18:30 Nora Connor, Director of Data Science, Abt Global discusses the ethical adoption of AI to serve citizens.

34:17 Josh Stanley, AI Sales Strategy, Zoom joined Geoff in a conversation about Zoom's AI Companion and its impacts.

39:38 Jennifer Bond, Vice President of U.S. SLED, Avaya offered insights into the state and local side of public sector AI adoption.

Interested parties can learn more about the GovAI Summit at https://www.govaisummit.com/. Learn more about events company Modev https://www.modev.com/ and see more of its AI video content on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/@Modev/videos

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NB 45 - From RFPs to Revolution: How AI is Transforming Federal Operations with Sanjeev Pulapaka

Wed, 04 Dec 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode of 'No Brainer,' Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston host Sanjeev Pulapaka, Principal Solutions Architect at AWS and lead author of 'Empowering the Public Sector with Generative AI.'

They start the conversation with a discussion about how the Trump Administration will likely deregulate AI guidance, further increasing the speed of adoption in the federal sector. Then three take a deep dive into the impact of generative AI on government operations, its potential to streamline tasks like RFP creation and data management, and the role of AI in improving productivity and service delivery in the public sector.

Conversations include a discussion of the red-hot AI Agent trend and how soon it will be deployed and in which use cases. Then they discuss how Multimodal AI is already changing inputs into LLM.

Finally, the conversation elves into the regulatory landscape, the importance of innovation balanced with risk management, and the latest advancements from AWS in the AI space. Sanjeev shares insights from his book throughout the conversation on how AI can transform public sector services and highlights the importance of responsible AI use, data security, and regulatory compliance.

Individual chapters include:

03:35 Discussion of AI in Government

08:26 AI's Role in Public Sector Efficiency

12:56 Challenges and Responsibilities of AI in Public Sector

15:21 Innovative AI Use Cases in Public Sector

17:41 Future of AI Agents

22:08 Innovative Uses of AI in Everyday Life

22:47 AI Maturity and Adoption Challenges

25:03 Data Challenges in AI Implementation

27:54 The Rise of Multimodal AI

31:46 Practical Applications of Multimodal AI

37:07 AWS and the Future of AI

Interested parties can connect with Sanjeev Pulapaka on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sanjeevpulapaka/

You can order empowering the Public Sector with Generative AI here: https://www.amazon.com/Empowering-Public-Sector-Generative-Applications/dp/B0D4PG9MHZ

And learn more about Amazon’s Bedrock Platform here: https://aws.amazon.com/ai/generative-ai/

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NB44: Leading & Learning in the AI Era, with executive advisor Lisa Nirell

Wed, 20 Nov 2024 05:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Greg and Geoff welcome Lisa Nirell to discuss the evolving landscape of AI and its implications for organizations.

Lisa helps mindful leaders cultivate healthy companies and careers. Organizations such as AARP, Alliance Bernstein, CoStar Group, and Hilton hire Lisa to navigate high-stakes transitions. She’s a two-time author, growth strategist, executive coach, open water swimmer, and meditation student.

Be sure to check out her books: EnergizeGrowth NOW: The Marketing Guide to a Wealthy Company" and The Mindful Marketer: How to Stay Present and Profitable in a Data-Driven World. And tune into her podcast, The Mindful Marketer, wherever you listen.

Together, Lisa, Geoff, and Greg explore the importance of leadership, cultural readiness, the need for strategic planning, and the role of community support in navigating the AI revolution.

Lisa introduces her AI strategy test drive, emphasizing the significance of people and experimentation in successful AI integration. The conversation culminates in reflections on the future of AI and the importance of cultivating wisdom and joy in a rapidly changing world.

Interested in taking the AI Test Drive to measure your own AI readiness? You can find it here. While you're at it, be sure to subscribe to Lisa's email newsletter and receive some free leadership resources at a bonus.

Chapters

00:00 Introductions

02:59 The AI Readiness Gauge and Market Trends

05:57 Cultural Shifts and Organizational Challenges

08:57 Lisa Nirell’s AI Strategy Test Drive

11:49 People-Centric Approaches to AI Implementation

14:57 Navigating Job Displacement and Opportunities

17:46 Embracing Change and Innovation in Business

23:26 The Power of “Long Life Learning”

24:57 Adapting to Change in a Rapidly Evolving World

26:38 Cultivating Curiosity and Community

30:18 The Importance of Supportive Networks

35:21 Planning for AI Integration

42:39 Hopes for the Future of AI and Humanity

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NB 43: Can AI Be Empathetic? with AI entrepreneur and author Gam Dias

Wed, 23 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of No Brainer, hosts Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino chat with guest Gam Dias to explore the intersection of AI and customer service. They discuss the cautious optimism consumers have towards generative AI, the importance of maintaining human interaction in customer service, and the long-term implications of automation in business. The conversation highlights the need for businesses to balance efficiency with empathy, ensuring that technology enhances rather than replaces the human touch. They also delve into the accountability of AI decisions and the strategic thinking required for successful implementation of AI in organizations.

Gam is product specialist at Hubbl Technologies, an adjunct professor at IE Business School in Madrid, and the author of The Data Mindset Playbook.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction

01:54 The Impact of AI on Customer Service

09:40 The Human Element in Customer Interactions

19:37 Balancing AI and Human Accountability

28:52 Long-Term vs Short-Term Business Strategies

44:29 Conclusion and Future Considerations

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NB42 - Elementary, Dear Watson, with IBM's Kait Arnold

Wed, 09 Oct 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the No Brainer podcast, Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino are joined by Kate Arnold, a senior AI and watsonx technical specialist at IBM and adjunct professor at Fairfield University and Columbia University.

They discuss the current state of AI and its impact on consumers and businesses. They also explore the importance of strategic implementation, change management, and employee education in AI adoption. The conversation touches on the role of AI in various industries, such as healthcare and finance, and the potential for rapid innovation in these areas. And of course, you’re hear a bit about how IBM approaches enterprise AI with watsonx.

Later in the episode, Kait, Greg and Geoff discuss the future of jobs and the need for organizations to prepare their workforce for an AI-powered future. And drawing on her teaching experience, Kait explains that it’s important for students (and hey, we’re all lifelong students, after all) to roll up their sleeves and experience AI firsthand to gain the confidence they’ll need to adapt to AI and stay relevant in the new world of work.

Takeaways

Consumer hype around AI is high due to a lack of knowledge, but as people become more familiar with AI and its applications, the hype is expected to die down.
Businesses are using AI to transform their operations and incorporate it into various aspects of their business cycles.
Successful AI implementation requires a strategic approach, change management, and employee education.
The impact of AI is expected to be significant in industries such as healthcare and education, where there is room for rapid improvement.
Organizations need to align their AI initiatives with their strategic goals and focus on areas where AI can have the most impact.
Employee adoption and usage of AI tools are crucial for the success of AI implementation.
The future of jobs will be influenced by AI, and organizations need to prepare their workforce for an AI-powered future. AI is already automating simple tasks and eliminating certain jobs, but it also opens the door for new job opportunities.
Generative AI allows individuals to take on multiple roles and pursue their passions.
Human interaction and soft skills are still essential.
It's important for students and professionals to learn about and embrace AI to stay relevant in the future of work.

Chapters

00:00 Intro

03:10 The Consumer Hype and Business Adoption of AI

10:17 Strategic Implementation and Change Management in AI

14:28 Rapid Innovation in Healthcare and Education

17:03 Aligning AI Initiatives with Strategic Goals

20:55 The Importance of Employee Adoption and Usage

23:20 Preparing the Workforce for an AI-Powered Future

26:24 The Impact of AI on the Workforce

28:48 Embracing New Job Opportunities with Generative AI

30:40 The Importance of Human Interaction in HR

39:21 Preparing for the Future of Work: Learning and Embracing AI

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NB41: Cracking the AI Conundrum with Rex Briggs

Wed, 25 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of the No Brainer podcast, hosts Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino welcome Rex Briggs, chief ai officer at Claritas and AI subject matter expert for the MMA. They explore the limitations of AI, the importance of understanding its capabilities, and the risks associated with its implementation. The conversation delves into the role of algorithms, the significance of precision in AI applications, and the evolving landscape of marketing agencies in the age of AI. Rex shares insights from his book, 'The AI Conundrum', emphasizing the need for businesses to adapt and embrace AI while being mindful of its limitations and risks. The episode concludes with a discussion on the importance of process and leadership in successfully integrating AI into marketing strategies.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Commercial Break

03:02 Exploring the Limitations and Risks of AI

07:50 Using Machine Learning and Gen AI for Segmentation and Personalization

17:38 Making Informed Decisions about AI: Precision and Open/Closed Systems

25:17 Differentiating AI Hype from Reality

25:51 The Future of Agencies and Marketing Departments in the Age of AI

34:57 The Importance of Process Documentation and Optimization

40:36 Leadership and Embracing Change in the AI Era

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NB 40: AI Impacting the Digital Content Ecosystem with Stephanie Pereira

Wed, 11 Sep 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode, Greg and Geoff are joined by Stephanie Pereira, the COO of Astral AI. They discuss the impact of AI on the digital content ecosystem and the challenges and opportunities it presents. The three discuss the exponential increase in content and how AI is making it easier to scale. Immediate impacts include the importance of maintaining quality and relevance in AI-generated content, understanding the role of AI in personalization, and the need to balance human touch and machine in content creation.

The conversation explores the need for organizations to define workflows and roles when implementing AI technology. Stephanie, Greg and Geoff also touch on the significance of brand guidelines and the role of creativity and empathy in marketing. They also critique the overemphasis on prompt engineering and how it distracts businesses from embracing a more holistic understanding of AI's capabilities.

Chapters

00:00 Start
03:30 AI is making it easier to scale content production, but it's important to maintain quality and relevance.
08:56 Building trust with AI-generated content is essential and striking the right balance between human and machine is crucial.
13:38 How social networks are adapting to AI generated content.
17.34 Brand guidelines are essential for maintaining consistency and coherence in marketing efforts.
23:52 Stephanie’s crystal ball future vision for AI and digital content.
27:51 AI in the Loop: Creativity and empathy are crucial for effective marketing, and AI can serve as a co-pilot to enhance these qualities.
33:08 Relying on prompt engineering as the future of AI is a mistake. Here’s why!

Astral Website: https://tryastral.com/

Stephanie’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephaniepereira/

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Big Tech Winners and Losers in the AI Hype Bubble

Wed, 28 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

This fun end-of-summer podcast features Nick Unger, Managing Partner, AlterityAI in a follow-up conversation about the AI hype bubble and its potential impacts on enterprise adoption. Nick, Geoff, and Greg discuss some of the winners and losers of the generative AI bubble (28:52), but before they get there, they discuss what long-term impacts AI hype will have on businesses.

Nick argues that while we may not be approaching artificial general intelligence, the power of generative AI is just beginning to be tapped and to market it Silicon Valley companies will keep promoting roadmap goals. The hosts and guest discuss the importance of education, data governance, and strategic implementation of AI within organizations.

Finally, the conversation concludes with a conversation on winners and losers in the bubble era, including the challenges faced by traditional big tech companies adapting to the AI revolution, using examples like Cisco and Intel. Nick, Geoff, and Greg speculate on potential winners and losers in the AI landscape, discussing companies like Nvidia and Google and how established companies like SAP and Adobe might better navigate the AI landscape within their respective domain expertise.

00:00 Start

3:27 MIT Generative AI Course - What was it like?

4:44 Is the AI hype wave actually going to end?

8:39 How valuations are driving the hype cycle.

13:14 Using AI to lift humans.

16:00 When the seismic impact of generative AI technology normalizes

21:14 How do organizations pick the right use cases successfully?

23:49 There are no organizational AI experts

29:21 Brands that are winning and losing in the AI era, including Cisco, NVIDIA, Google, Intel, SAP and Adobe

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NB 38: Is There an AI Bubble? (With Info-Tech Marketing AI analyst Shashi Bellamkonda)

Wed, 14 Aug 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Is there an AI bubble and if so what does it mean to businesses? Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino discuss the AI bubble with guest Shashi Bellamkonda, Principal Research Director, Marketing & AI Research and Advisory for Info-Tech Research Group.

The three explore a hype wave or a bubble in the AI industry and the challenges faced by companies that have overinvested in generative AI. They also discuss the role of OpenAI and its missteps in managing consumer expectations. The conversation highlighted the importance of practical applications and the need for critical thinking when it comes to AI. The conversation explores the future of AI and its impact on various industries with an emphasis on driving revenue growth rather than just focusing on cost savings.

Chapters

04:43 The AI Bubble: Hype Wave or Bubble?

12:10 The Missteps of OpenAI

21:07 The Importance of Critical Thinking in Evaluating AI

31:29 Consolidation and Shakeout in the AI Market

Shashi’s LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sbellamkonda/

Shashi’s X Account: https://x.com/shashib

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NB 37: ChatGPT is the Excel Spreadsheet for Generative AI

Wed, 31 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this episode of No Brainer, Geoff is joined by successful serial entrepreneur Andre Yee, Founder and CEO of Tiga AI. They have a great conversation about the future of AI and its impact on sales and marketing.

Andre brought his wisdom, offering insights like, “ChatGPT is the Excel spreadsheet of generative AI.” ChatGPT is a powerful tool, like Excel. But it takes more than a tool to realize true productivity gains. Real results require that companies invest in task- or process-specific AI solutions.

In another key insight, Andre dropped a bomb, offering that “Generative AI has a deflationary effect on personalization.” His comments revolve around the cheapening of personalization around singular human behaviors. As a result, generated content hangs on singular life points that turn off customers more than engage them. Listen to the whole episode to get a thoughtful view of AI’s impact on sales and marketing.

Chapters

00:00 Start

02:53 Generative AI as an impact event on sales and marketing

08:17 Evolution of sales development representative (SDR) role and AI’s impact on the position

14:43 Changes in marketing leadership and technology, including the CMO role

17:36 AI and machine learning in marketing and how it works with generative AI

24:50 Google's potential acquisition of HubSpot, and the challenges for incumbent big tech companies adapting to AI

29:57 Personalization is getting deflated, and it needs to become more relational

About Andre Yee and Tiga.AI

Andre Yee is the Founder of Tiga.AI, a company that actively prospects leads for companies by learning details about your target accounts and contacts at scale. He is also the founder and former CEO of Triblio, which he led to successful exit to International Data Group (IDG), a global B2B media and data company. Prior to founding Triblio, he was the SVP Product Development for Eloqua, responsible for product development and operations. At Eloqua, he was part of the executive team responsible for leading Eloqua to an IPO and a $957M acquisition by Oracle. Before his time at Eloqua, he was CEO of NFR Security, which he successfully led to growth and exit to Checkpoint Software.

Connect with Andre:

Visit www.tiga.ai for more information or to request a demo
Connect with Andre Yee on LinkedIn

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Episode 36: Separating AI Hype from Hope. An AI Knowhow Podcast Takeover

Wed, 17 Jul 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In this special episode, the AI Knowhow podcast team – Knownwell CEO David DeWolf, CMO Courtney Baker, CPO Mohan Rao, and CSO Peter Buer – take over the No Brainer podcast to dive into how to decipher AI hype and (perhaps) overambitious hope.

Is AI poised to solve all of humanity’s problems? Or are we headed for a tech-driven catastrophe? This episode of AI Knowhow dives into the polarizing world of AI hysteria to separate the hype from the hope.

Courtney, David, and Mohan break down where AI has been overhyped and where genuine hope lies. They discuss the foundational models in AI, the future of AI hardware, and the realistic applications of generative AI.

David also shares insights on the potential of AI to transform enterprise operations, focusing on collaboration and knowledge management, while Mohan explores how AI can create hyper-personalized experiences for users.

For the AI Knowhow interview segment, our very own Geoff Livingston joins Pete Buer to discuss the current state of AI in marketing and beyond. They highlight the integration of generative AI with machine learning and analytics, and how this blend could drive real enterprise value.

All of that PLUS this episode kicks off with a segment called “Take a Lap, David,” revisiting one of David’s Hot Takes from a few months back. David predicted that the rise of Nvidia and AI in general would spell the beginning of the end of the dominance of the FAANG stocks.

Specifically, David suggested that Amazon would be the company to falter because competitors like Microsoft and Google would make gains in their cloud and AI offerings. Venture capitalist Tomasz Tuzung recently covered what may be the beginning of this trend in a post titled When 1% Market Share Shifts Represent $5b of Market Cap.

Knownwell is an AI startup that helps you reimagine your business in the AI Era. They are heavily focused on the professional services market. https://knownwell.com/

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NB35: The Human Touch in AI: A Conversation with Lisa Adams

Mon, 01 Jul 2024 11:25:00 -0000

In this conversation, Geoff Livingston interviews Lisa Adams, a CMO known for her expertise in AI. They discuss the importance of trust and authenticity in AI, the challenges of implementing AI responsibly, and the potential for AI to enhance human connection. Liza Adams and Geoff Livingston touch on the rise of PR, the importance of creating personalized and engaging experiences on websites, as well as the need to diversify marketing strategies beyond relying solely on search engines. Finally, they explore the role of brands in elevating the customer experience and building trust in AI, and how Apple may lead the way.

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NB34 - Get to know the CognitivePath AI Maturity Model

Wed, 19 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

On today's No Brainer, Greg and Geoff serve up a power-packed two-topic episode. In the first half, they dig into the AI Maturity Model they just released at their AI consultancy CognitivePath. Incorporating inputs from 100+ enterprise AI decision-makers, the maturity model lays out five stages and seven paths to take any organization from AI zero to AI hero. Greg and Geoff discuss why they feel the market needs a comprehensive maturity model and how business leaders can benefit from knowing where they stand.

In the second part of the show, they guys switch gears and talk about Apple Intelligence. Smart move or too little too late? How might Apple's emphasis on the consumer experience and their keen understanding of the customer give them an advantage over other Big AI players? And wait, did Tim Cook just outsmart Sam Altman? (bwahahahaha).

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction

02:26 Getting into the CognitivePath AI Maturity Model

07:18 Five Stages of AI Maturity

14:18 The Seven Paths to AI Maturity

20:07 Getting Into Apple Intelligence

26:01 Apple's Focus on Consumer Experience

36:15 Privacy and Simplicity in Apple Intelligence

40:32 Apple's Understanding of Consumer Wants and Needs

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NB33 - AI Mythbusters: No, You're Not Behind (Yet!)

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 04:00:00 -0000

On today's episode, Greg is joined by Jennifer Ives -- a seasoned leader working at the intersection of business and technology, an in-demand AI advisor to C-suite executives, and all-around big thinker.

Together, Jennifer and Greg set out to bust some AI myths. Is your organization really falling behind? Is everyone else already using AI? And isn't "everything" AI these days, anyway? Does AI literacy matter for line-of-business leaders? Are ethics important? And a whole lot more.

Tune in as they discuss the current state of AI adoption in organizations. They highlight that only a small percentage of organizations are leveraging true artificial intelligence. They emphasize the importance of AI literacy at the executive level and the need for organizations to start small, test and learn, and build out their AI strategies. They also discuss the challenges organizations face, such as data cleanliness and the development of ethical AI frameworks. They conclude that, no, you're (probably) not behind -- but warn that the early movers now are developing a big advantage. So, if you haven't started yet, the time is now.

Chapters

00:00 The True State of AI Adoption in Organizations

10:53 Challenges and Opportunities in AI Adoption

36:08 Igniting Ideas and Driving AI Adoption

41:28 Challenging Assumptions and Breaking Through Barriers

42:28 The Urgency of Embracing AI

43:59 Critical Areas of Focus for AI Adoption

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NB32: The "Guilded" Age of Marketing AI

Wed, 22 May 2024 04:00:00 -0000

In today’s episode, AI Marketers Guild (AIMG) founder and fractional CMO David Berkowitz joins Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston for a wide-ranging discussion about the state of AI in marketing.

The show kicks off with David’s summary of key findings from AIMG’s recent Q1 2024 marketing AI trends report. From there, they dive into the use cases for AI in various marketing functions and touch on the challenges and opportunities of implementing AI in marketing. The conversation ranges from personalization and creative optimization to the ways AI can level the playing field for small businesses and why agencies need new business models.

The trio ponders the future of the CMO role, the coming AI-native workforce, and why senior marketers need to explore and experiment with AI to remain relevant in the face of fast-moving change.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Small Talk

03:27 AIMG Study on AI in Marketing

07:16 The Impact of AI on Agencies and Pricing

12:05 AI's Role in Finding Patterns and Insights

21:21 The Future of the CMO Role and the AI-Native Workforce

24:06 Advertising with AI

28:21 AI Tools for Small Businesses

32:30 Adapting to the Changing Marketing Landscape

36:24 The Power of Personalization with AI

39:09 Advice for Senior Marketers: Embrace AI and Experiment

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NB 31: Striking the Balance Between Creativity, Relationships, and AI

Wed, 08 May 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker joins Greg and Geoff to discuss the role of AI in marketing and professional services.

The three discuss the importance of leveraging AI to enhance professional services companies' capabilities and relationships. Courtney emphasizes the value of relationship data in professional services and how AI can help organizations gain actionable intelligence to proactively engage with clients and prevent churn.

The discussion also touches on the evolving business models of agencies in the age of AI, with Courtney, Geoff, and Greg agreeing that the traditional hourly billing model is outdated and that agencies must focus on delivering (and getting paid for) value to remain competitive.

Courtney, Greg, and Geoff explore the potential impact of AI on creativity, emphasizing the importance of human judgment and strategic decision-making in determining when and how to effectively use AI tools.

Ultimately, the episode highlights the significance of embracing AI as a thought partner and collaborative tool to enhance work and spark ideas, while still recognizing the unique value of human creativity and relationships in marketing and professional services.

Segments Include:

00:00 Start

03:50 The importance of humanity: What makes the human marketer valuable in the age of AI?

15:03 Data is gold, yet it is scarce. Why data is so important to all types of professional services firms, even their communications with clients.

18:55 How to change relational data into meaningful insights to reduce churn and strengthen operations.

22:33 Deciphering deep data to democratize analytics for all businesses.

26:02 Creative Agencies have to change to meet AI, but how does their business model and client relationships evolve?

36:31 Why Sam Altman is wrong about AI replacing agencies.

43:09 How AI helps us to level up creativity and our humanity.

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NB 30 - Addressing the AI Hallucination Problem

Wed, 24 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0000

Special guest Eyelevel.ai CEO Neil Katz joins Geoff and Greg to discuss generative AI's hallucination problem. Large language models' (LLMs') propensity to hallucinate in their answers represents one of the biggest barriers to enterprise adoption. Eyelevel boasts a 95% accuracy on private instance responses by using its APIs and tools to prepare proprietary data for LLM consumption.

The trio dives into the LLM marketplace, including discussions about why brands choose to implement a private instance, how the LLM market has evolved, and what causes the hallucination problem. Then, they discuss the enterprise data problem and how retrieval augmented generation (RAG) techniques still need additional help to strengthen LLM responses.

Chapters include:

0:00 Start

4:40 Private instance versus licensing enterprise editions of LLMs

7:32 Eyelevel’s Air France implementation achieving 95% success rates

12:29: The need for enterprise data preparation

18:14 The hallucination problem with LLMs and RAG approaches

28:23 How governance can or cannot help enterprises

32:32 Why some use open source versus proprietary LLMs

39:12 The future of AI and an incredible vision

Learn more about Eyelevel at https://www.eyelevel.ai/ or contact Neil Katz via LinkedIn at https://www.linkedin.com/in/neilkatz/

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NB29 - On the Front Line of AI Implementation

Wed, 10 Apr 2024 04:00:00 -0000

On today’s episode of No Brainer, Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino chat with Steven Freidkin, Founder and CEO of Ntiva. Ntiva offers a full range of IT managed services to growing businesses. It’s no surprise that they’re implementing AI internally and fielding plenty of calls from clients about everything from Microsoft Copilot to more sophisticated AI business use cases driven by proprietary data.

In today’s conversation, we cover everything from why even 15 minutes of AI per day will put individual performers ahead of the pack to whether it’s worth paying attention to the hype around artificial general intelligence (AGI.) And we discuss it all through the lens of a tech pro who has rolled up his sleeves and done the work.

Chapters

00:00 Start

02:50 Introducing Steven Freidkin, CEO, Ntiva

04:10 How Ntiva uses AI internally and with clients

10:10 AI hype vs real world action

13:20 Is AI-driven productivity a double-edged sword?

15:45 Why Steven challenges everyone on his team to use ChatGPT 15 minutes every day

17:00 What about businesses that aren’t adopting AI yet?

19:25 Dispelling the myth that AI is “easy” and “cheap”

23:00 Is Microsoft Copilot an AI gateway drug?

27:00 Is AI the product or just a feature?

33:00 The importance of AI guardrails

37:00 What does the AI sector need to do better to drive real business adoption?

43:45 Is AGI real, hype, or somewhere in between?

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NB28: Mailbag Episode – Educating Teams and AI Selfies

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 00:22:00 -0000

In this episode, Greg and Geoff answer listener questions from Lisa Nirell, Phil Gerbyshak, last week's guest Paul Chaney, and TikTok commenters in an open-mic mailbag format. They discuss the challenges of educating organizations on AI integration, emphasizing the importance of alignment, change management, and training. They explore why people prefer fake AI-generated images of themselves and the potential impact on corporate recruiting. And they delve into the topic of AI marketing ethics and the need for marketers to prioritize ethical considerations in their work.

The conversation covers the importance of making small improvements, the need for responsible AI, the bare minimum approach in marketing, connecting ethics with day-to-day work, the divide between marketers who get it and those who don't, the power of authenticity, the divide between brands who get social and those who don't, and the importance of providing value to customers.

00:00 Start

00:31 Introduction and Open Mic Mailbag

03:40 Educating Organizations on AI Integration

17:48 Fake Imagery with AI and Social Media

28:34 AI Marketing Ethics (Again!)

36:06 – Divide Between Marketers Who Get It and Those Who Don’t

53:58 -.Appreciation for the Audience and Final Word

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NB27 - Marketing, AI & Ethics

Wed, 13 Mar 2024 11:00:00 -0000

On this episode of No Brainer, we're joined by Paul Chaney. Paul is the editor of the AI Marketing Ethics digest -- a newsletter that explores the intersection between marketing and (you guessed it) ethical AI. Paul is a digital marketing veteran who was drawn to the subject of responsible and ethical AI when he saw how how few of the marketers who are racing to adopt generative AI tools are having serious conversations about key ethical issues like bias, fairness, human rights, and even environmental impact. He launched his newsletter to close this gap, and has been engaged the conversation ever since.

Paul, Geoff, and Greg discuss the definition of AI ethics, why they matter for marketing, what it will take to get more marketers to take ethics seriously, and how brands can determine what's "right." Along the way, they explore how the choices we make today aren't so different from the choices marketers made (or didn't make) in the early days of the internet, email, and (especially) social media. And they land on a fundamental truth: AI ethics aren't about technology but humanity.

Here's what to listen for in today's episode:

00:00 Introduction

01:30 What is AI ethics and why does it matter for marketing?

10:33 Are marketers thinking and doing enough about AI ethics?

14:36 What needs to happen to put responsible AI on the front burner?

25:49 Are generative AI companies inherently unethical?

31:00 Marketing history repeats: the internet, email, social media, and AI

38:05 How can marketers figure out what’s “right?”

46:00 The Ethical Implications of AI and Job Loss

52:15 The Future of AI Ethics in Marketing

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NB26 - AI Hype is Dead. Long Live AI!

Tue, 27 Feb 2024 23:10:00 -0000

Yahoo! Finance found that executives are only half as likely to mention AI on their earnings calls. Research from BCG found that enterprises aren't as enthusiastic as they used to be about generative AI. Even Sequoia Capital -- a major investor in AI startups --- has argued that the majority of AI tech companies are struggling to nail their value proposition. And all of this is happening as researchers find that OpenAI's ChatGPT plagiarizes its training data 70% of the time and Google's latest releases amount to a series of self-inflicted wounds.

AI -- and generative AI in particular -- sure seems like it has teetered from the peak of hype and fallen into the trough of disillusionment. Greg and Geoff discuss why this might be the case. And why this is a good thing for any company serious about AI.

What to Watch/Listen For:

00:00 Introduction

02:44 AI Hype is Dead

10:32 Challenges of Implementing AI

15:41 Generative AI and its Limitations

31:58 The Hype Around OpenAI

33:27 OpenAI's Success and Merit

34:54 The Importance of Basic Marketing

36:18 Salesforce's Focus on Trust

37:45 The Success of Companies like Nvidia and Amazon

40:00 AI as a Baked-in Technology

42:06 Diminished Hype and the Importance of Trust

43:03 The Potential Consolidation and Failures in the AI Space

48:16 Differentiation and the Need for Viable Products

53:54 The End of Hype and the Importance of Getting Serious

As always, you can visit NoBrainerPodcast.com for complete show notes, including links to the articles referenced during this show.

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NB25 - The End of Third-Party Cookies. Is AI the Answer?

Wed, 14 Feb 2024 12:00:00 -0000

In today's podcast, the conversation centers around Google's deprecation of third-party browser cookies, its impact on marketers, and whether AI might be part of the plan for moving digital marketing forward. Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston discuss the importance of first-party data, the challenges of unifying data, the role of AI and machine learning in data cleaning and personalization, and -- of course -- the need for a strategic approach to data, marketing, and AI.

What to Listen For

00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage

09:00 How Google's Deprecation of Third-Party Cookies Impacts Marketers

20:00 The Importance of First-Party Data and the Challenges of Unifying Data

33:30 The Role of AI and ML in a Post-Cookie Marketing Environment

42:00 AI Depends on Strategy and Strategy Depends on Data

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NB24 - Brand Fakes

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 12:00:00 -0000

Taylor Swift is taking over the world... Fake Taylor Swift is taking over the Internet (and hawking Le Creuset pot and pans). In this episode of No Brainer, Greg and Geoff explore the effects of AI-generated deep fakes, misinformation, and disinformation on brands.

In the second part of the show, the guys flip the script to look at how some brands are using the same technology behind deep fakes to put synthetic spokespeople to work for their own marketing purposes.

What to Listen For:

00:00 Intro

05:10 (Not) Taylor Swift, Le Creuset, and Fake Celebrity Endorsements

12:00 (Not) Jason Aldean, "Go Woke Go Broke," and AI Narrative Attacks

22:50 Fake News! And How AI Generated Clickfarms Steal Ad Dollars

33:10 How Virgin Cruises and Cadbury Use Synthetic Celebrities Right

38:58 Levi's and Volkwagen Generate Controversy with AI

47:30 Brainer and No Brainer

Visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com/ai-brand-fakes for the full show notes, including links to the stories we discussed on this episode.

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NB23 - CES Takeaways for Marketers

Fri, 19 Jan 2024 11:00:00 -0000

Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston, principal analysts from CognitivePath run down the most important AI news stories from this year's Consumer Electronics Show and give their take on what they mean for marketing decision-makers.

Correction: During this episode, Greg refers to the FTC banning Walgreens from using facial recognition technology for five years. He misspoke. The correct retailer is Rite Aid. https://www.ftc.gov/news-events/news/press-releases/2023/12/rite-aid-banned-using-ai-facial-recognition-after-ftc-says-retailer-deployed-technology-without

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NB22 - 2024 AI Predictions with special guest Jeremiah Owyang

Wed, 13 Dec 2023 11:00:00 -0000

It's our big year-end blow-out! For this episode, we're joined by AI expert extraordinaire, Jeremiah Owyang, as we each make three bold predictions for AI in 2024. Anyone who knows Jeremiah knows that he's made a career out of being a step or two ahead of just about everyone else when it comes to making sense of the intersection between business and technology. For anyone who doesn't know him, Jeremiah is a long-time industry analyst turned entrepreneur and venture capitalist whose Llama Lounge events have become must-attend soirees in Silicon Valley's AI startup scene.

Geoff and Greg first met Jeremiah back in the early days of social media. So, what happens when you get three veteran martech monsters together to share their takes on what lies ahead for artificial intelligence? Fireworks!

00:00 Start of Show

03:40 Prediction #1 (Jeremiah) -- AI agents in your email

09:10 Prediction #2 (Greg) -- AI startup bloodbath (bye-bye, GPT wrappers)

15:21 Prediction #3 (Geoff) -- The race toward multimodal AI sparks an acquisition frenzy

20:36 Prediction #4 (Jeremiah) -- Google loses search market share to generative AI tools

24:36 Prediction #5 (Geoff) -- OpenAI feels more fallout from its recent drama

30:30 Prediction #6 (Greg) -- The rise of small or "specialized" language models

35:56 Prediction #7 (Greg) The end of aimless experimentation as marketers get strategic with AI

39:32 Prediction #8 (Geoff) D.C., the presidential election, and the rising rhetoric about regulation (and more) will make us "hate" AI.

43:05 Prediction #9 (Jeremiah) Hyper-personalized content gets real

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NB21 - The AI Year in Review (2023)

Wed, 29 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0000

A year! That's right -- it's been a full year since ChatGPT came onto the scene and sent the world into a tizzy over generative AI. To celebrate the occasion and because 2023 is winding down, Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston taking a look back at the "Year of AI." What trends, tech, big news, and boo-boos caught and kept our attention during a year that was (shall we say) eventful? Listen or watch this pipin' hot episode of No Brainer to find out.

As a bonus, you'll also find out why Geoff regrets buying a fancy new webcam!

What to Watch For

00:00 Start

05:50 Geoff's Trend 1: AI Euphoria – Business communities were abound with excitement during the first half of the year.

07:10 Greg's Trend 1: AI Hype Cycle — From Euphoria to existential risk, and everything in between.

15:05 Greg's Trend 2: The Generative AI Horse Race — Open AI has opened the door, and it is a dynamic market with many competitors, including Claude and Google.

18:40 Geoff's Trend 2: Fake AI — From shrink-wrapped GPT solutions masquerading as new solutions to bolt-ons, we saw a lot of masquerades.

24:20 Geoff's Trend 3: The Struggle for Ethical AI — From data sourcing and public figures to government regulation and Open AI’s board scrap, ethical AI is a constant discussion point.

31:20 Greg's #3: Coca-Cola's Bain and OpenAI Partnership — Coke has paved the way for corporate marketing AI innovation.

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NB20 (Special Episode) - Sam Altman Out at OpenAI?

Sun, 19 Nov 2023 17:22:00 -0000

Around mid-day on Friday, November 17, Sam Altman -- the high-profile CEO of OpenAI -- was fired without notice by the organization's non-profit b0ard. CTO Mira Murati was elevated to interim CEO, president Greg Brockman lost his own board seat and subsequently quit, and several senior AI researchers resigned too. Word on the street is co-founder and chief scientist Ilya Sutskever was the man behind the moves and put the debate between speed vs safety, profit vs purpose at the heart of the decision. Or was it rumors that Altman was planning a new AI company and hadn't been forthright with the board about what he's working on?

But by Saturday, the company's blindsided investors (including Microsoft) were jockeying to reinstate Altman and demanding that the board resign instead. Will Altman return? Maybe. Maybe not.

Is this a battle for the soul of generative AI? What does this mean for ChatGPT and all the tech startups that built their solutions on top of OpenAI's large langauge models? And what -- if anything -- should marketers make of the shakeup?

In this "emergency edition" of No Brainer, Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino summarize the unfolding drama (as of Sunday, 11/19 at 9am Eastern), and share their takes.

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NB19 - OpenAI GPTs. Golden Eggs? Or Rotten Eggs?

Wed, 15 Nov 2023 13:00:00 -0000

At their first-ever DevDay, OpenAI announced GPT-4 Turbo with a massive new context window, training data through April 2023, and more cost effective API calls. But the news that most marketers latched onto was the launch of GPTs – a new way for anyone to create a tailored version of ChatGPT to be more helpful in their daily life, at specific tasks, at work, or at home. And then share that creation with others on ChatGPT paid plans (and eventually through a GPT store).

With a week or so of thinking and tinkering, Greg and Geoff offer up their take on whether GPTs live up to the hype, what it’s like to build them, where they fit into the larger AI story, and what they mean for marketers.

What to Listen For:

00:00 Start

10:40 What are GPTs? And why should we care?

20:41 Is this Open AI’s App Store moment?

36:43 The Low-Code, No-Code Future

49:01 The End of Shrink-Wrapped Apps?

54:17 Brainer/No Brainer

Get the full show notes, including links to resources and articles mentioned during the show: https://nobrainerpodcast.com/openai-gpt

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NB18 - Picture This! The State of AI Image Generators

Wed, 01 Nov 2023 11:00:00 -0000

This one's for the photographers, the artists, the agency creative directors, the designers, and anyone who likes to dabble with visual creativity.

We go deep into the rapidly evolving world of AI image generation. What might have seemed like a two-horse race between Midjourney and Stable Diffusion is now a four-horse (or more!) race in which major players like Adobe and OpenAI are betting on easy access and massive distribution to compete against quality.

Listen (or watch) as we run down some of the latest news and developments in AI image generation, and discuss (even debate) what all of this means for marketers and the creative people that work in marketing.

If that's not enough for ya, we take a look at what artists are doing to protect their work from being incorporated into Big AI's training data without permission or compensation. It's a battle for the soul of the artist -- and it's just getting started.

What to Listen For

(Time stamps are approximate.)

0:00:00 Intro

0:08:29 - Midjourney and Stable Diffusion are AI image generators to beat

0:15:21 - Adobe and OpenAI make some big moves with Firefly (better quality, now available in all Adobe Creative Cloud apps) and Dall-E 3 (integrated into a more powerful, multimodal ChatGPT for Plus and Enterprise customers), but are the moves big enough to catch up or leap ahead?

0:34:30 - Amazon launches an AI image-maker for Marketplace advertisers in a smart vertical play. What does this mean for Amazon advertisers and the agencies that service them?

0:54:00 - A new tool called Nightshade offers artists a 'poison pill' that can infect generative AI models that scrape their work without permission, but how likely is it to do the trick?

0:64:03: Brainer and No Brainer image generator takeaways for marketers.

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NB17: Making Marketing AI Fun with Adam Brotman and Andy Sack

Wed, 18 Oct 2023 10:07:00 -0000

In this special episode, Geoff Livingston interviews Forum3 co-CEOs Adam Brotman, of Starbucks and JCrew fame, and Andy Sack, a Satya Nadella advisor about their new AI crowdsourcing platform Hive3. Hive3 aims to let brands run ‘creator content’ contests to source creative for marketing campaigns. AI-powered creators are encouraged to enter contests with AI works for brands.

It’s a fun concept. The three dive into how it works for brands, why brands might be motivated to experiment here with AI first, some of the cool things creators have already done on the beta platform, and much more. Then they turn their eye to the larger AI marketing world and the changes technology is making on the sector.

A bonus segment features a top 5 listing of the greatest AI ghouls for Halloween as ranked by Bard, Claude, ChatGPT, and human-in-the- loop Geoff Livingston.

What to Listen For:

00:00 Start

02:50 Introducing Adam Brotman and Andy Sack, Forum3

04:10 How Forum3’s Hive3 AI-powered creator community works

11:32 Why brands should consider working with AI creators

22:32 How Hive3 Uses AI

29:20 How AI has subsumed Web3 and the Metaverse

49:40 Halloween Special: AI Villains

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NB16 - Fact or Fiction? Making Sense of the AI Hype Machine

Wed, 04 Oct 2023 13:29:00 -0000

Every week offers a whirlwind of AI announcements fueling the hype wave. And last week was no different: from ChatGPT's multimodal features to Amazon's billion-dollar bet on Anthropic and everything in between. But let's pump the brakes for a second.

In today's No Brainer, Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston digest some of last week's big announcements -- and warn marketers (and AI enthusiasts in general), let's not forget to question the narrative. How much of what Big AI announces is real innovation, and how much is just hype amplified by media and influencers? It's like a flashback to the dot-com era, where every press release was treated like the gospel.

And here's the kicker: We're in uncharted waters. Journalism has taken a hit, and influencers are filling the void with quick takes and retweets that only amplify press releases. The result? A public that's easier to sway and a hype cycle that's even wilder than before. This podcast analyzes this trend using the bigger stories from last week to explore the line between noise and signal in the AI hype cycle.

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro

08:45 On the AI Hype Cycle

27:16 OpenAI says ChatGPT can now "see, hear, and speak," but can it?

41:03 Seed round superstar Mistral AI releases its first open model

47:29 Amazon’s strategic "not $4B" investment in Anthropic.

54:28 Meta drafts AI for play, not productivity, with GenAI social chatbots

For complete show notes, including links to the stories discussed in this episode, visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com/ai-fact-fiction

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NB15 - Mr. AI Goes to Washington

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 13:15:47 -0000

Episode 15 looks at the U.S. government’s efforts to regulate the AI industry. Marketing professionals may want to closely monitor the rapidly evolving landscape of AI regulation.

Greg and Geoff begin by discussing last week’s U.S. Senate hearings that garnered plenty of media attention but resulted in no concrete action.

Despite the White House's anticipated executive order on AI and voluntary commitments from 15 companies to uphold safety and security standards, there is a general perception that legislative efforts are lagging due to concerns over stifling AI development. Meanwhile, the European Union has made substantial strides in AI regulation with the Digital Services Act and the forthcoming Digital Markets Act, which impose stringent requirements on data usage and platform behavior.

Various government agencies, such as the SEC and IRS, are already utilizing AI for tasks like fraud detection, indicating that the impact of these technologies is immediate and wide-ranging.

For marketers, the implications are clear: Regulatory environments are fluid and could either restrict or facilitate AI-driven initiatives. If enacted, it does appear regulations will favor larger companies like the Big Tech incumbents. And if enacted, marketers will need to ensure that their own decisions about building, buying, and deploying AI follow the new rules.

What to Listen For

00:00 Start

06:00 Big AI players come to Washington and meet with the Senate

15:15 What does regulation look like? Geoff’s crystal ball.

34:10 Individual government agencies adopt AI

53:30 Brainer and No Brainer

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NB14 - 10 Barriers to Marketing AI Success

Wed, 06 Sep 2023 13:05:00 -0000

In this hard-hitting episode of No Brainer, Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston talk about 10 common barriers to marketing AI adoption. They analyze why these issues crop up, their causes, and how they become big problems. Where possible, the two offer their thoughts on possible actions marketing leaders can take to overcome these obstacles and find success with AI.

What to Listen For: the 10 Barriers

00:00:00 Start

00:06:00 #1 Tactical Thinking - A lack of strategy and/or failing to tie AI to that core marketing or business strategy to achieve enterprise goals hurts adoption.

00:08:30 #2 Leadership Deficit - Lack of leadership vision, commitment, and support to implement AI internally – from responsibility hand-offs to a failure to sponsor AI as a necessary technological evolution at all levels – stymies adoption.

00:11:30 #3 Employee Resistance - Well-discussed fears of widespread job loss have had their impact, with internal mid-level managers openly and passively resisting adoption.

00:22:40 #4 General Market Confusion - Marketing leaders are confused by nonstop vendor hype and false promises, with some advocating for all-encompassing point solutions while others emphasize intelligent integration within the martech stack.

00:32:35 #5 The Data Problem - Marketing organizations struggle with data quality, quantity, access, etc. and often balk at the cost of getting their data house in order.

00:39:00 #6 The High Cost of AI - The high cost to deploy and maintain enterprise-grade solutions/use cases shocks many inexperienced marketing organizations who see the low cost of consumer point solutions as the accurate cost of AI.

00:46:50 #7 Quality Vendors/Tech Partners - The AI landscape is complex, making it challenging to differentiate genuine capabilities and select the right solution among numerous alternatives, including point solutions versus existing cloud services.

00:57:40 #8 Lack of Governance and Workflows - Marketing leaders often overlook the need to control AI systems and manage AI usage in their organizations, neglecting implications for risks. As a result, their departments lack end user guidelines and fail to consider how AI affects workflows.

01:02:18 #9 Talent Deficit - There's a significant talent deficit in AI, with organizations struggling to hire and afford data scientists. Left to develop talent internally, leaders often neglect investing in the necessary training for their teams to use AI tools effectively and creatively.

01:10:50 #10 Lack of Named Case Studies - The AI industry lacks named case studies that provide tangible, measurable results (beyond the PR hit). Even if you acknowledge that it's still early days (and that innovators may not want to share their secrets), this absence of results raises concerns about transparency and credibility.

As always, you can find the full show notes, including links to articles mentioned and other helpful resources at https://nobrainerpodcast.com.

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NB13 - AI and its Impact on Content Marketing

Thu, 24 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Before we dive in, we’re thrilled to announce that No Brainer has landed in the #6 spot on Feedspot’s list of the Top 15 AI Marketing Podcasts. Thanks to everyone for your support!

On to lucky Episode 13. This one’s for the Content Crusaders.

Generative AI continues to impact the content marketing profession at all levels. This week’s episode looks at two larger dynamic trends: 1) How OpenAI’s recent web crawling move and plugin marketplace speak to the value of content; and 2) Content Marketing Institute’s recent state of the industry survey which reveals how marketers are or aren't adopting AI.

In the first half of the show, Geoff and Greg discuss Open AI’s GPTbot, a web crawler that collects public site data to train its algorithms. This move is significant for content providers, as it represents a shift in how content is valued as data, but what does it mean for marketers?

Then Greg and Geoff discuss ChatGPT plugins, which offer a way for brands to integrate their content and even e-commerce platforms directly into the chatbox, enhancing the user experience and putting your brand (and its valuable content) at consumers’ fingertips.

Finally, Greg and Geoff talk through a recent state-of-the-industry study by the Content Marketing Institute (CMI) that highlights the growing influence of Gen AI on content marketing. The report reveals that a significant number of content marketers are using AI tools for brainstorming, keyword research, and even content creation. However, there's also a palpable concern among these professionals about AI's impact on their careers.

What to Listen For

00:00:00 Start

00:03:40 What’s up with OpenAI’s GPTbot?

00:15:45 The good: Some brands may see GPTbot training as an opportunity

00:21:50 The bad: GPTbot steals content and kills content business models

00:30:50 The ugly: GPT further muddying internet content

00:34:00 ChatGPT plugins: Are you missing out on a key content opportunity?

00:41:45 Digging into Content Marketing Institute’s 2024 Career & Salary Outlook

00:48:45 Content marketers wrestle with AI’s impact

01:00:30 Brainer and No Brainer episode takeaways

Visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com for complete show notes, including links to the stories and resources we discuss in this episode.

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NB12 - The No Brainer Big MAICON Debrief

Wed, 09 Aug 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Anyone who follows the marketing AI scene knows MAICON -- the Marketing AI Conference, hosted by Paul Roetzer's Marketing Artificial Intelligence Institute. So, this year, Geoff decided to visit Cleveland, Ohio to check it out.

In today's episode, Geoff shares his perspectives on the event, the speakers, his key takeaways, and (of course) the snacks. Even better, he brought a friend onboard: Our first guest co-host evah, Silicon Valley marketing maven Melinda Byerley to share her thoughts too. Her presence alone exponentially upped the No Brainer (erm) brainpower. Her take on MAICON and the current and future states of marketing AI in general? Chef's kiss.

If you stayed home (like Greg did), this show is for you. And if you attended MAICON and want to relive it through the eyes of two seasoned pros, this show is for you too! We'd call that a win/win.

So, what's the verdict? Did MAII team rise to the occasion? Did MAICON match the energy of our current generative AI zeitgeist? Listen or watch, and find out!

But first...

Meet Melinda Byerley

Melinda Byerley is the CEO and founding partner of Fiddlehead Marketing, a virtual data-driven consultancy based in San Francisco. A seasoned Silicon Valley veteran, she has led teams at companies like eBay, PayPal, and CheckPoint Software. Melinda is a pioneer in marketing analytics and an influencer in data privacy and ethics. In 2022, she refocused her career on AI for Marketing Analytics, inspired by her personal triumph over breast cancer. A contributing writer, guest lecturer, and host of the podcast "Stayin Alive in Tech," Melinda blends finance acumen with storytelling flair. When not charting the course of marketing's future, she's exploring bridge and snorkeling or engaging with ChatGPT.

What to Listen For

(Time stamps based on the audio program; the exact timings for the video show may vary)

00:00:00 Intro
00:03:01 Meet Melinda Byerley
00:05:05 First impressions from MAICON
00:15:10 Keynotes and key takeaways
00:38:14 The best of the breakouts
00:53:25 Vendor bender?
00:59:55 Food, social events, and logistics
01:05:00 Final takes

For full show notes, including links to resources mentioned and all the places you can connect with Melinda, visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com/maicon.

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NB11 - Is OpenAI Losing Their Lead? Lawsuits! LLaMas!

Wed, 26 Jul 2023 02:21:18 -0000

OpenAI has been a recurring character in this podcast series, but we've resisted the urge to devote a full episode to the company and their blockbuster ChatGPT tool and GPT algorithms.

Well folks, the time has finally come! But it might not be what you were waiting for. Instead, we're looking at claims that ChatGPT and GPT-4 might be suffering from degraded performance, at a time when OpenAI is being battered with a litany of lawsuits, and competitive LLMs are gaining steam.

Is OpenAI losing its lead in the race for generative AI domination? Hear the evidence and find out what we think in today's No Brainer.

What to Listen For

00:00 Intro

00:00 We really didn't want to talk about OpenAI, but...

00:00 How OpenAI took the lead in GenAI

00:00 Performance problems for ChatGPT and GPT-4?

00:00 Legal woes for OpenAI

32:42 Claude, LLaMa, and the new competitive landscape

37:08 Is OpenAI doomed? No, but DALL-E might be

00:00 Competition and the need to pick your GenAI partners wisely

00:00 This episode's Brainer and No Brainer

For the full show notes, including links to the stories we discussed in today's episode, visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com.

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NB10 - ChatGPT is NOT a Marketing Use Case

Wed, 12 Jul 2023 11:00:00 -0000

The marketing conversation about AI seems to be stuck in the land of "tools and tactics." And more often than not, the tool is ChatGPT and the tactic is cranking out content. But there's so much more to generative AI. And there's an entire world of "traditional" predictive AI beyond today's generative darlings. But to get the most out of AI for your organization, you need to start thinking in terms of well-defined, strategic use cases that address real business or marketing needs -- and deliver real, measurable outcomes.

In today's episode of No Brainer, Greg and Geoff get into some real talk about use cases. What are they? How are they different from mere "usage?" How do you identify the AI use cases that matter for you? And what are some examples of smart, strategic AI use cases from leading brands?

What to Listen For

00:00 Start

03:05 Setting up today's topic: Marketing AI Use Cases

04:48 There's more to AI than ChatGPT

09:06 Don't let the technology tools set your AI agenda

11:10 Are you stuck in a 'tactics trap'?

12:17 The difference between "use" and a "use case"

17:09 Strategic AI projects start with a clearly defined outcome

26:33 Getting past the "play" stage

29:29 Three key use case categories

31:35 Using AI to solve a common sales enablement challenge

37:53 Cross-functional decision-making for marketing AI technology choices

42:05 Integrating AI into the tech stack, ChatSpot.ai (HubSpot) example

46:39 Use Case: Cyber Inc. scales multilingual video

48:35 Use Case: Volkswagen Improves Marketing Performance with Predictive AI Analytics

53:44 Use Cases: Coca-Cola lands and expands through strategic AI projects

59:36 Brainer and No Brainer Takeaways

Visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com/use-cases for complete show notes including links to resources and examples mentioned during this episode.

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NB9 - Focusing In On AI Video

Wed, 21 Jun 2023 11:00:00 -0000

In today's episode, Geoff and Greg zoom in on the rapidly evolving AI video space.

The Black Mirror kicked off its sixth season with an episode called "Joan is Awful" which presented a dystopian view of a world of deep fakes, AI-generated content, and personalized entertainment taken to an extreme. Meanwhile, right here in the real world, marketers are already experimenting with the first generation of generative AI video tools. So, if you're looking to wrap your head around what's happening, how to get started, and why use cases aren't nearly as dystopian as the Black Mirror would have you believe, dive into this episode all about AI-powered video.

What to Listen For

00:00:00 Start

00:06:24 Black Mirror, Joan Is Awful

00:12:30 AI Can Be Your Video Production Co-Pilot

00:15:00 Some Practical AI Video Use Cases

00:17:00 Actors Licensing their Likeness and Voice to AI Companies

00:20:18 Video Rules the Web, Will AI Rule Video?

00:24:35 The Democratization of Video

00:30:28 Coca-Cola Masterpiece and AI Video for Pros

00:44:25 How We're Using Video AI at No Brainer

00:49:15 A Sampling of AI-Powered Video Production Tools

00:56:00 Why Every Marketer Needs to Get Hands-On

00:59:04 Even More AI Video Tools

01:07:53 Today's Brainer and No Brainer

As always, you can find the complete show notes, including lots of links to the stories, resources, and -- most importantly -- all the AI video tools we mention in today's episodes at https://nobrainer.com.

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NB8 - The Smart Marketer's Guide to Surviving the A.I.pocalypse

Tue, 06 Jun 2023 10:00:00 -0000

We know! We know! We know! You're getting tired of hearing about the existential threat of AI. We are too. But when hundreds of tech company executives and independent AI experts sign yet another open letter tying the advance of AI to the end of humanity, it's a topic too big to ignore. That's not to say we believe there's an imminent threat of mass annihilation. But we do think it's crucial for marketers to understand what's really going on with the "risk and regulation" narrative Sam Altman and others are spinning because its driving FUD, FOMO, conversation, and confusion among both companies and consumers.

So, bear with us as we get all this talk of an A.I.pocalypse out of our systems -- and get into a conversation about some of the things brands can do to go from AI doom to boom.

What to Listen For

00:00 Start

05:08 Adobe Rolls Out Firefly and It's, Eh, OK

09:25 A Military AI Drone Killed Its Human Operator - Except It Didn't

16:18 Tech Bros Go All-In on AI Doomerism

18:18 The White House Enters the Conversation

19:25 Is ChatGPT Turning Writers into Dog Walkers?

25:02 Why the A.I.pocalypse and Regulation Roadshow Are Just Marketing Hype

39:39 How Brands Can Survive the A.I.pocalypse Hype Cycle

53:44 Brainer and No Brainer (Our Key Takeaways)

Be sure to visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com/ai-pocalypse for the full show notes, including links to the articles and resources we discussed during today's episode.

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NB7 - What Every Marketer Needs to Know About Implementing AI

Wed, 24 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino are back for lucky Episode 7 -- and it's almost like two episodes in one.

For today's big topic, the guys delve into some must-know essentials for marketers who want to go beyond the hype and get real about implementing artificial intelligence inside their organization. They talk about objectives and strategy, use cases and governance, human agency, and why trust sits at the center of any successful AI implementation. This alone is worth the price of admission.

But there's so much happening in AI that before they even get to the main topic, Geoff and Greg sprint through Sam Altman's so-called plea for regulation, Buzzfeed's plans for content automation, the growing "content farm" crisis, DragGAN, IBM's WatsonX, ServiceNow's move to embed LLMs in the IT department, and more.

So, if you're looking to get up to speed on the latest AI news, you can listen from the top. If you've heard it all and are ready to roll up your sleeves, start around the 40-minute mark. And as always, you can use the chapter markers to bounce around and find whatever you're looking for.

What to Listen For

00:00:00 Start

00:05:29 Mr. Altman Goes to Washington

00:10:35 Buzzfeed and the New Content Wild West

00:17:19 NewsGuard Identifies 125+ AI-Generated "Content Farms"

00:25:00 DragGAN and the Tyranny of the Perfect Picture

00:31:25 Buddhists and Businesses Make Strange Bedfellows

00:41:22 Enterprise AI Implementation Challenges

00:46:00 IBM Puts Governance at the Center of Watsonx

00:49:04 ServiceNow Introduces LLMs for IT Support

00:50:50 Smart AI Solutions Start with Strategy

00:52:49 Defining Use Cases: Automation and Innovation

00:56:18 Getting Into Data Governance

01:09:57 Trust is Central to AI Implementations

01:11:58 Brainer: What's Your Use Case?

01:13:21 No Brainer: Get Ready for the Crap Content Tsunami

Be sure to visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com/implementing-ai for the full show notes including links to all the articles and resources mentioned in today's episode. Have a question or suggestion? Drop us a note at hello@nobrainerpodcast.com.

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NB6 - Will AI Take Your Job?

Wed, 10 May 2023 10:00:00 -0000

While "The Godfather of Artificial Intelligence" turned AI doomer, Geoffrey Hinton, is on the media circuit warning that some future super-intelligence may eradicate humankind, Geoff and Greg set their sights on a near-term risk that's on every marketer's mind: Is generative AI coming for our jobs?

In this "ripped from the headlines" episode, Greg and Geoff consider forecasts about AI's impact on the future of work. They take a look at some of the ways AI is stripping value from companies, factoring into hiring freezes, and sending writers to the picket line. And they go deep into a debate about the ultimate effect of AI on knowledge workers in general and marketers in particular. Should you be polishing your resume or flexing your marketing muscles? It may not be so black-and-white.

What to Listen For

00:00:00 Intro

00:02:45 Geoffrey Hinton quits Google to warn us about AI

00:09:01 Rapid change and dystopian fears

00:14:23 80% of jobs will be impacted by AI

00:17:14 Workers 'replaceable' by generative AI

00:26:40 Change demands an agile approach

00:31:08 Chegg sheds market value in the face of AI

00:33:41 Hollywood writers strike

00:37:38 True creativity and the limits of AI art

00:51:34 Outlier thinkers and creatives have an advantage in the age of AI

00:55:50 Greg argues that AI will take marketing jobs (point)

00:57:54 Geoff argues that the future is up to you (counterpoint)

Visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com for the complete show notes, including links to the resources and articles we mention during this episode.

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NB5 - C'mon, Elon. And You Can't Spell Advertising Without A and I.

Wed, 26 Apr 2023 11:00:00 -0000

In today's power-packed episode, Greg Verdino and Geoff Livingston rant about "X" -- Elon Musk's entry into the generative AI race -- just weeks after he signed the controversial "AI pause letter" that called for a six-month moratorium on training advanced large language models. What are his plans for his so-called TruthGPT? Will he build an LLM that's trained on tweets? And could X become the "everything app" we never even knew we needed?

Then, Greg and Geoff switch gears to talk about the implications of AI in ad world. Inspired by a great article at FastCompany.com, Greg shares some real (and potential) ways that the big advertising agencies are integrating generative AI into their creative workflows. Geoff talks the truth about the long-term love affair between advertising and AI. And the guys ponder whether agencies will rise to the challenge and become indispensable AI advisors to big brands... or sink to the depths of pointless hype (as many did with Web3 and the metaverse in 2022.)

Be sure to visit the No Brainer website for the complete show notes, including links to the articles mentioned in this episode.

What To Listen For

00:00 Start

02:44 Holla: No Brainer is part of the Marketing Podcast Network

04:22 Elon Musk announces X.ai

10:15 TruthGPT: An LLM trained on tweets?

14;18 X is Elon Musk's "Everything App"

18:04 Amazon's enterprise-grade AI announcement

24:23 Ad world approaches to AI

26:00 Fast Company looks at some practical ad agency AI plays

33:55 Ad world has been awash in AI for years

37:35 Is our "Bladerunner" moment around the corner?

39:36 A strategic role for agencies as AI advisors to brands

46:27 Today's "Brainer" and "No Brainer"

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NB4 - AI Ethics: Humans Strike Back

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 10:00:00 -0000

Today’s episode is packed with power as Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino dive deep into AI ethics. With ChatGPT churning out fake news and Midjourney attempting to pump the brakes on deepfakes, it’s no wonder companies and countries are looking to rein in the use of generative AI.

Geoff and Greg explore all of this and more, as they ponder whether humans are striking back against runaway AI productization. Geoff shares his thoughts on the seven essential elements for corporate responsible AI policy, the guys discuss some practical ways to keep AI from going off the rails (and taking your brand reputation with it) and tackle some tough questions that were submitted in advance by show listeners. (Psst… Want to suggest a topic or have your question answered? Email your ideas to hello@nobrainerpodcast.com.)

The show wraps with some thoughts on why it’s important to involve your employees in your AI ethics decisions, and even more important to understand what your consumers expect when it comes to how your brand uses AI in your marketing programs.

A quick note: We pride ourselves in offering a reasonably professional podcast (ahem), so we want to give you a heads-up that we had some audio issues during today’s show. It’s certainly listenable and the content more than makes up for it (if we don’t say so ourselves).

What To Listen For

00:00 Intro

03:32 ChatGPT “lies” about law professor Jonathan Turley

06:10 The Guardian’s fake facts op-ed

08:34 Six-month AI “pause” and the real risks

10:43 Companies and countries pushing back on AI

16:13 Overestimating (and overselling) ChatGPT’s capabilities

18:10 Midjourney cracks down on deep fakes

23:00 Preventing ChatGPT from spewing bad info (Listener question)

27:33 AI writing and tone of voice (Listener question)

28:57 Human + AI hybrid workflows (Listener question)

32:29 How VERDINO incorporates AI into workflows

34:07 Best practices for responsible AI content creation

35:29 Don’t feed proprietary info into public GPTs

37:41 Why Bloomberg’s proprietary GPT is the future

40:41 The time Geoff met Charles Barkley at SXSW

41:30 Educating Gen Z on the ethical use of AI (Listener question)

46:20 Seven components of a corporate responsible AI policy

54:00 Involving employees in AI ethics policymaking

55:23 Dentsu report on consumer attitudes and adoption

Like what you hear? Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and review our pod. Have a topic in mind or a question to ask? Hit us up at hello@nobrainer.com.

Visit us at NoBrainerPodcast.com for the full show notes including links to the articles and resources mentioned during today's episode.

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NB3 - Adobe Enters the Fray, ChatGPT Plugins Change the Game

Tue, 28 Mar 2023 23:55:43 -0000

00:00 Intro

00:28 Welcome to the pod

01:03 Adobe unveils generative AI

09:51 Incumbents vs startups: Who will win?

15:58 Marketers, get serious about strategy

27:08 ChatGPT Plugins: an App Store moment

31:35 What Plugins mean for media and marketers

41:55 Brainer: Going from “ooh shiny” to strategic

43:05 No Brainer: Check out Bard and Poe

47:07 Wrap up

Visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com for complete show notes including links to all the resources mentioned in this episode.

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NB2 - GPT-4 is Here, Salesforce and Hubspot Put AI Inside

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 16:06:10 -0000

In this episode of No Brainer, Greg and Geoff discuss OpenAI’s announcement of GPT-4. Geoff shares his take on moves by Salesforce and HubSpot to bake GPT into their popular CRMs, then the two discuss whether this will be a boon for salespeople or a bust for their target prospects.

All of this leads Greg and Geoff into a conversation about why it’s so important for Chief Marketing Officers to take ownership of the decisions their organizations are making about how AI is woven into various communications workflows, and why now is the time to draft your organization’s guidelines for responsible AI.

Wrapping things up, Geoff talks about feeding the algorithm with your own content as a way of ensuring your brand ‘shows up’ in relevant output.

What to Listen For:

00:00 Intro

00:29 Welcome to the pod

01:18 OpenAI releases GPT-4

16:11 Salesforce and HubSpot go all in on AI

27:50 Responsible AI for brands

35:43 Feed the algorithms

Visit https://nobrainerpodcast.com for complete show notes, including links to resources mentioned during this episode.

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NB 1: Fiat and Kia Launch ChatGPT Use Cases, AI Shake Up Coming to the PR Sector

Sun, 12 Mar 2023 23:15:51 -0000

In the premier episode of No Brainer, Greg and Geoff discuss Fiat and Kia adopting ChatGPT for showroom and user support, respectively. They discuss what they like about each use case and touch on AI ethics.

Then they dive into a new tool – PRprophet.ai – that has the potential to reshape media relations and challenge the typical PR agency’s model. Discussions include a long-term view on all agencies’ models and the need to move away from hourly billable rates as AI-augmented workflows aim to reduce the time it takes to get work done.

The two wrap up with a discussion of Noah Brier’s AI marketing tech stack map, which gives marketers a useful sense of just how diverse the generative AI landscape has already become.

What to Listen For:

00:00 Intro

00:29 Welcome to the pod

01:58 What the No Brainer podcast is all about

05:15 Fiat and Kia turn ChatGPT into a car salesperson

16:56 PRprophet.ai and the future of agencies

32:42 This episode’s “No Brainer”

37:08 This episode’s “Brainer”

Episode Links and Resources:

Fiat and Kia

PRprophet

https://prprophet.ai

Noah Brier’s Generative AI Landscape

https://brxnd.substack.com/p/marketing-ai-landscape-chart-brxnd

Connect with Geoff on LinkedIn and get more of his AI insights on Medium.

Find Greg at his website, on LinkedIn and Twitter.

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