NB7 - What Every Marketer Needs To Know About Implementing AI No Brainer

35:58

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB55 - Addressing Misinformation and Disformation in the Age of AI - with guest Britt Bischoff 40:03

24 days ago40:03

40:03

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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB54 - AI in Media, Music and More with award-winning journalist Lindsey Mastis 46:33

5 weeks ago46:33

46:33

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB53 - Making Human-Friendly AI Decisions with Tech Humanist Kate O’Neill 46:55

7 weeks ago46:55

46:55

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB52 - AI for Kids. AI for Everyone - with AI and data literacy expert Amber Ivey 51:12

9 weeks ago51:12

51:12

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/ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB51: What Do Scrapple, Margaritaville, and the 2024 Election Have in Common? Advocacy AI 46:58

11 weeks ago46:58

46:58

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB50 - "AI is Underhyped." The Future of Marketing with Shiv Singh 52:36

13 weeks ago52:36

52:36

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB49: Cleaning Up Sloppy AI Content 44:44

15 weeks ago44:44

44:44

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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB48 - It Takes a Community… AI for Associations with Higher Logic CTO Conor Sibley 38:05

17 weeks ago38:05

38:05

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB47 - AI Trends Heading Into 2025 with Greg Kihlstrom 35:52

19 weeks ago35:52

35:52

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/ . Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB46 - 4 Perspectives on Government AI 53:58

22 weeks ago53:58

53:58

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB 45 - From RFPs to Revolution: How AI is Transforming Federal Operations with Sanjeev Pulapaka 45:22

24 weeks ago45:22

45:22

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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB44: Leading & Learning in the AI Era, with executive advisor Lisa Nirell 49:47

26 weeks ago49:47

49:47

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB 43: Can AI Be Empathetic? with AI entrepreneur and author Gam Dias 53:52

30 weeks ago53:52

53:52

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB42 - Elementary, Dear Watson, with IBM's Kait Arnold 48:37

32 weeks ago48:37

48:37

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB41: Cracking the AI Conundrum with Rex Briggs 50:06

34 weeks ago50:06

50:06

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB 40: AI Impacting the Digital Content Ecosystem with Stephanie Pereira 42:07

36 weeks ago42:07

42:07

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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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Big Tech Winners and Losers in the AI Hype Bubble 39:20

38 weeks ago39:20

39:20

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB 38: Is There an AI Bubble? (With Info-Tech Marketing AI analyst Shashi Bellamkonda) 41:23

40 weeks ago41:23

41:23

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB 37: ChatGPT is the Excel Spreadsheet for Generative AI 35:40

42 weeks ago35:40

35:40

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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Episode 36: Separating AI Hype from Hope. An AI Knowhow Podcast Takeover 35:35

44 weeks ago35:35

35:35

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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

1
NB35: The Human Touch in AI: A Conversation with Lisa Adams 44:41

47 weeks ago44:41

44:41

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB34 - Get to know the CognitivePath AI Maturity Model 42:57

48 weeks ago42:57

42:57

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

1
NB33 - AI Mythbusters: No, You're Not Behind (Yet!) 49:13

50 weeks ago49:13

49:13

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB32: The "Guilded" Age of Marketing AI 53:32

1 year ago53:32

53:32

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB 31: Striking the Balance Between Creativity, Relationships, and AI 52:26

1 year ago52:26

52:26

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB 30 - Addressing the AI Hallucination Problem 50:25

1 year ago50:25

50:25

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/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB29 - On the Front Line of AI Implementation 46:58

1 year ago46:58

46:58

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? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

1
NB28: Mailbag Episode – Educating Teams and AI Selfies 58:56

1 year ago58:56

58:56

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB27 - Marketing, AI & Ethics 59:14

1 year ago59:14

59:14

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB26 - AI Hype is Dead. Long Live AI! 54:29

1 year ago54:29

54:29

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB25 - The End of Third-Party Cookies. Is AI the Answer? 46:20

1 year ago46:20

46:20

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

1
NB24 - Brand Fakes 54:20

1 year ago54:20

54:20

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB23 - CES Takeaways for Marketers 54:20

1 year ago54:20

54:20

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB22 - 2024 AI Predictions with special guest Jeremiah Owyang 52:31

1 year ago52:31

52:31

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB21 - The AI Year in Review (2023) 40:40

1 year ago40:40

40:40

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB20 (Special Episode) - Sam Altman Out at OpenAI? 35:23

2 years ago35:23

35:23

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB19 - OpenAI GPTs. Golden Eggs? Or Rotten Eggs? 59:55

2 years ago59:55

59:55

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB18 - Picture This! The State of AI Image Generators 1:10:05

2 years ago1:10:05

1:10:05

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB17: Making Marketing AI Fun with Adam Brotman and Andy Sack 1:01:29

2 years ago1:01:29

1:01:29

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

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NB16 - Fact or Fiction? Making Sense of the AI Hype Machine 1:10:07

2 years ago1:10:07

1:10:07

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

1
NB15 - Mr. AI Goes to Washington 57:21

2 years ago57:21

57:21

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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

1
NB14 - 10 Barriers to Marketing AI Success 1:21:15

2 years ago1:21:15

1:21:15

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

1
NB13 - AI and its Impact on Content Marketing 1:03:39

2 years ago1:03:39

1:03:39

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. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

No Brainer - An AI Podcast for Business

1
NB12 - The No Brainer Big MAICON Debrief 1:12:35

2 years ago1:12:35