AI First with Adam and Andy

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Andy Sack and Adam Brotman unpack one of the most common questions they hear from executives: which AI model should your organization use? Andy explains why comfort, workflow, and use case matter more than brand loyalty, and why toggling between models is a powerful way to learn their strengths.The conversation turns to the launch of Gemini 3, including Adam’s early impressions of its increased speed, stronger reasoning, and more agentic behavior. They explore what this shift means for enterprise AI and why companies should never limit themselves to a single model for every team and task.Whether you are leading an AI initiative, managing adoption across departments, or experimenting on your own, this episode offers clear, practical guidance on building a flexible, resilient, AI-first culture.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack explore a recent New York Times opinion piece by Eric Schmidt and Andrew Sirota titled “Use AI to Reinvigorate Democracy, Not Replace It.” The article highlights examples from Albania and Taiwan, showing how governments are already using AI to reduce corruption, analyze constituent feedback, and create more responsive policies.Adam and Andy reflect on the larger question behind these stories. AI can help leaders synthesize information, listen to the public more effectively, and make smarter decisions faster. But turning decision-making over to the algorithm risks accountability, trust, and democratic values. They also discuss why governments need AI literacy, training, and communities of practice to ensure these tools are used in ways that strengthen institutions rather than weaken them.A thoughtful look at how AI could shape the future of governance.

The hosts dive into the concept of AI First, challenging the conventional view of AI merely as a tool for efficiency. They explore the profound shift required for organizations to truly embrace AI as a new operating model. Leaders are encouraged to see AI not just as technology but as an 'alien intelligence' that can transform strategic thinking. Courage and cultural change are essential for embedding AI in everyday workflows, signaling that AI First is not just a trend, but the future of work.

In a fascinating discussion, Eric Vaughan, CEO of IgniteTech, shares insights from his bold AI transformation journey. He reveals how he reshaped his organization into an AI-DNA powerhouse and drove a significant cultural shift. Eric emphasizes the importance of CEO belief in fostering a culture of innovation and discusses the challenges of managing resistance and rapid change. He also describes innovative practices like 'AI Mondays' and rapid prototyping cycles that have drastically increased product delivery speed, making AI an integral part of every employee's toolkit.

In this bite-size episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts tackle one of the most common misconceptions in enterprise AI adoption: that you need a perfect data lake before you can begin.Adam and Andy explain why this “wait until the data is ready” mindset slows innovation and how forward-thinking leaders are getting results now by experimenting with the data they already have. Through real client examples, they contrast the old IT-led playbook with a faster, executive-driven approach that emphasizes iteration, accessibility, and speed.If you have ever wondered when to start your AI-first transformation, the answer is simple: today.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack explore what it really takes for organizations to transform with AI. They argue that the journey doesn’t begin with data lakes, councils, or playbooks, it begins with leadership.The conversation dives into why CEOs need their own “aha moment,” how to empower internal change agents, and what it looks like when teams stop waiting for readiness and start making better decisions, faster. Adam also shares a real-world example of helping a CEO unlock major business value using GPT-5 Pro in just minutes.It’s a candid look at the mindset, culture, and urgency that define truly AI-first companies.

The global economy is undergoing a seismic shift that rivals the Industrial Revolution in scale and impact. In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts dive into the massive recent deals shaping the AI landscape, from Nvidia’s multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI to OpenAI’s unprecedented infrastructure agreement with Oracle.Far from being financial hype, these moves point to a deeper truth: we are still at the very beginning of the AI era, and the next five years will demand enormous investments in data centers, compute, and energy to power this transformation. Andy and Adam explain why executives should look beyond the headline numbers, what this means for the future of knowledge work, and how AI will reshape global productivity at every level.

Dan Todd, CEO of Influence Mobile and the mind behind the Rewarded Play app, shares insights from a 90-day transformation into an AI-first company. He discusses introducing enterprise AI tools and tracking their use through engaging Slack contests. Dan highlights productivity boosts, with developers cutting project times significantly and marketing gaining deeper insights. He candidly reflects on AI pitfalls, including a costly prompt error, and encourages leaders to embrace AI early to stay competitive.

Jennifer Strickland Fowler, CEO of Destination Pet, shares insights from her journey transitioning from healthcare to leading a network of pet care centers. She reveals how AI transformed her approach, from skepticism to viewing it as a crucial ‘co-pilot’ for enhancing recruiting and vendor selection. Jennifer discusses AI's role in creative strategy, improving operational efficiency, and the importance of freeing staff to focus on meaningful interactions with pets and owners. She highlights the concept of non-linear ROI, emphasizing the indirect benefits of AI adoption in service-driven industries.

In this special mini-episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack dig into two of the biggest AI stories making headlines.They start with the recent MIT study that fueled a viral Fortune headline claiming 95% of corporate AI projects fail. Adam explains what the research actually found, from the limitations of wrapper apps to the importance of micro use cases and realistic measures of success. Together, Adam and Andy highlight why leaders should avoid getting distracted by shiny solutions and instead double down on the small, practical wins that drive real business value.Then the conversation turns to OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT-5. With polarized reactions ranging from disappointment to awe, Adam and Andy cut through the noise to share their perspective on where GPT-5 truly fits in the broader AI landscape. They explore how the frontier models are advancing together, why expectations matter, and what the “trough of disillusionment” means for businesses today.This episode is a candid, hype-free look at what’s really happening in AI innovation, and what leaders should be paying attention to now.