A Beginner's Guide to AI

In this electrifying episode of A Beginner’s Guide to AI, we’re joined by Mohan Rao, co-founder of Knownwell and AI veteran since the ‘80s, who walks us through a rarely discussed frontier in AI: Predictive Communication Intelligence. Forget dashboards full of red-green traffic lights—Mohan's platform reads real-time conversations, detects shifts in client sentiment, and flags problems before they explode.--- --- ---A Message from John Munsell of Bizzuka, who pays the bills for this season: "The problem that I saw out there was that most of the books out there just talk about why it's important or what is important, but none of them really tell you how to make it happen."That's where John Munsell's book comes in: get ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Ingrain AI on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠--- --- ---Together we unpack how AI can decode tone, track hidden client dissatisfaction, and highlight retention risks using natural language and large language models (LLMs). With examples from consulting, marketing, and tech services, Mohan reveals how AI is changing the way agencies stay human—at scale.If you’ve ever juggled 25 clients, struggled to keep your team aligned, or simply want AI that acts like a chief of staff (not a spreadsheet), this episode is a goldmine.🔑 Highlights in this episode:Why traditional CRM data is “too little, too late”How AI analyzes unstructured data like Slack, Zoom, and emailThe barbell problem in consulting—and how AI fills the middleWhy one angry email doesn’t matter—but three in a row doesMohan’s take on the Terminator question (Spoiler: he’s not worried)The real impact of LLMs on internal operations at Knownwell💬 Quotes from the Episode:“The purpose of AI is to elevate the human—not to replace them. We want to do creative, high-value work. AI just gives us a leg up.” — Mohan Rao“When you're managing 25 clients, things fall apart. Our goal is to show the fire before it burns the house down.” — Mohan Rao⏱️ Podcast Chapters:00:00 Welcome & Introduction: Meet Mohan Rao03:47 Why AI Is Finally Working for Professional Services07:21 Predicting Client Risk Before It Happens10:50 One Angry Call Doesn’t Mean a Fire—But a Pattern Might14:18 AI, Empathy & Client Health Scores18:02 80% Right Beats 100% Too Late: Embracing Imperfection in AI21:34 From Spreadsheets to Signal Intelligence: Goodbye to “Yellow Clients”25:10 Losing a Team Member? AI Could’ve Warned You28:31 How the Knownwell Platform Actually Works32:01 AI for Personal Growth: Mohan’s Favourite Use Cases35:32 From Engineer to Idea Machine: LLMs as Coding Co-Pilots39:00 Sign-off & Gratitude🌐 Where to find Mohan Rao:You can connect to him on LinkedIn!Knownwell, if you want to see his AI in action!What more? Ah yes, please tune in to get my thoughts and never miss and episode, subscribe to our Newsletter!Music credit: "Modern Situations" by Unicorn Heads

In this episode, software veteran David Hirschfeld shares vivid insights into the rapidly approaching wave of AI transformation in tech, startups, and daily life. Drawing on his 35-year experience building successful software businesses, David paints a striking metaphor of a 100-foot rogue wave—representing the disruptive power of AI—forcing companies to either reinvent themselves or risk obsolescence.--- --- ---A Message from John Munsell of Bizzuka, who pays the bills for this season: "The problem that I saw out there was that most of the books out there just talk about why it's important or what is important, but none of them really tell you how to make it happen."That's where John Munsell's book comes in: get ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ingrain AI on Amazon⁠⁠⁠⁠--- --- ---We discuss why startups frequently fail due to inadequate market validation, and how David's unique "Launch First" methodology dramatically boosts startup success by rigorously testing market demand before building products. Discover the critical importance of distinguishing between customer needs and wants, why pre-launch sales can be game-changing, and how AI tools can make this meticulous validation process faster and cheaper.Plus, David reveals his bold predictions about self-driving cars, transportation revolutions, and why he believes multi-story parking garages will soon become obsolete. He shares his thoughts on the future roles of software developers, the evolving job landscape due to AI, and even the philosophical implications of conscious AI.If you have a startup and want to reach David, you can write him: david@tekyz.comOr connect with him on ⁠LinkedIn⁠!Davids Podcast, Scaling Smarter, will be publilshed here: ⁠ScalingSmarter⁠---Tune in to get my thoughts, don't forget to ⁠subscribe to our Newsletter⁠!Music credit: "Modern Situations" by Unicorn Heads

Step into a mind-bending conversation as futurist and philosopher Anders Indset joins the podcast to explore what happens when humans race to create superintelligent machines. Anders dives deep into the paradoxes at the heart of the technological singularity, asking: Are we on the verge of building our own gods? What does it truly mean to be human in an era where AI can rival—or surpass—our own creativity, empathy, and consciousness? From the risks of "zombification" to the idea of "artificial human intelligence," Anders brings unique insights, humor, and fresh thinking to one of the biggest questions of our age. We tackle everything from collective memory, ethics, and the simulation hypothesis to the fundamental question: Should we do it, just because we can?Chapters:00:00 – Introduction & Anders Inset’s journey into AI03:45 – What is the singularity paradox?09:12 – Can we create our own gods?15:30 – The creative paradox: are humans still unique?21:50 – Artificial human intelligence explained29:10 – The risks of AI “zombification”36:15 – Building ethical AI strategies43:30 – Will we lose our individuality?50:00 – How business leaders can future-proof their organizations57:25 – Where to find Anders Inset and resourcesLearn more about Anders Indset’s work and connect:🔗 Website: andersindset.com📖 Book: singularityparadox.com🧑‍🦰 LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andersinset📸 Instagram: instagram.com/andersindsetTune in to get my thoughts, don’t forget to subscribe to our Newsletter!Music credit: "Modern Situations" by Unicorn Heads

Join Jack Kennedy and David Daneshgar, co-founders of Whippy AI, as they discuss their innovative journey in automating business communication. They reveal how they tackled customer pain points through early AI experimentation, long before it became mainstream. Learn about the importance of consolidating tools for efficiency, and how AI can enhance rather than replace human roles across industries. Their insights illuminate a practical future for AI in small businesses, emphasizing the balance between technology and the human touch.

Dive into the quirky world of AI memory! Discover why your digital assistant seems to forget you at lightning speed. A blend of humor and insight reveals the tightrope between making AI helpful and protecting your privacy. Explore forgetfulness as a clever strategy, not just for machines but for us humans too. Get practical tips on managing your digital interactions, all while enjoying cake analogies and real-life stories. It's a sticky yet enlightening ride through the wild truth of AI memory!

Sumit Gupta, Lead BI Engineer at Notion and author of 'Tableau Workshop,' shares eye-opening insights into the evolving relationship between AI and human intelligence. He highlights how AI can automate tedious tasks while emphasizing the need for sharp critical thinking. Sumit distinguishes between data and AI, discusses essential AI tools, and warns against the risks of over-relying on technology. He also shares captivating real-world examples of using AI innovatively in content creation and its impact on maintaining human creativity.

Faisal Hoque, an author and AI thinker, dives into his latest work, emphasizing a human-centric approach in the age of AI. He discusses his OPEN and CARE frameworks that guide responsible AI adoption. Faisal highlights the importance of treating AI as a partner, balancing innovation with ethical concerns. He shares a personal story that inspired his journey into AI and demystifies common fears surrounding technology. With a call for optimism, he urges leaders to safeguard humanity while embracing AI's transformative potential.

Jeremy Toeman, CEO of Augie and media innovator with 30 years of experience, dives into the future of video marketing powered by AI. He reveals that 70% of marketers overlook video content, while emphasizing its significance for consumer engagement. Jeremy discusses the evolution of media tools and how they democratize video production, making it accessible for all creators. He shares strategies for repurposing content and boosting productivity with automation, showcasing how AI can transform the marketing landscape dramatically.

Evan Sveum, a lecturer at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, integrates AI into education with his teaching assistant, Isabelle. He discusses how AI reshapes learning and enhances outcomes, arguing against banning it in classrooms. The conversation explores student interactions with AI, challenges of academic integrity, and the transformative potential for personalized learning. Sveum shares insights on developing AI tools and emphasizes collaboration among educators to navigate technological advancements in teaching.

Don Finley, an AI and business expert at Findustries and host of 'The Human Code', shares insights on the transformative power of AI in business. He discusses how companies of all sizes can harness AI for smarter decision-making and operational efficiency. Don offers practical tips for implementing AI now, rather than waiting for the perfect moment. The conversation also touches on the importance of balancing human connection with technological advancement, making a case for AI's role in enhancing workplace productivity and creativity.