AI Knowhow
AI Knowhow

AI Knowhow is a podcast tailor-made for business leaders navigating the transformative world of artificial intelligence. In this evolving landscape, adapting the way we steer our businesses is not just about maintaining a competitive edge, but also aligning our AI strategies with our core values and vision. Each week, Courtney Baker teams up with Knownwell executives David DeWolf, Mohan Rao, and Pete Buer to bring you dynamic, insightful, and actionable episodes that are crafted to assist executives in translating this groundbreaking technology into viable business solutions. Our mission is to aid you in maneuvering through this AI-centric world, offering guidance and clarity on the changing dynamics of the workspace. Every episode includes experts, scholars, and practitioners specializing in AI implementation and ethics. We also hear voices from diverse fields to present a rounded picture of the potential opportunities that AI brings to the table. And, of course, we also feature visionary executives who will share their success stories of using AI to revolutionize their businesses. Brought to you by the team at Knownwell: www.knownwell.com/podcast

Ever wondered what really powers LLMs like ChatGPT, Claude, or Gemini? In this episode, Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao are joined by John Fowler (Knownwell's Chief Science Officer) and Ramsri Goutham Golla (Lead Data Scientist) to break down the mechanics of large language models (LLMs) in ways that are accessible and relevant for all professionals, not just data scientists. John and Ramsri help explain how LLMs predict the next word in a sentence, what makes them so powerful, and the role of neural networks and attention mechanisms. They also dive into real-world applications, such as retrieval-augmented generation (RAG), and how it’s replacing fine-tuning for more efficient and reliable AI performance. Ready to harness AI for your business? Learn how Knownwell’s AI-powered platform can empower you to stay ahead at Knownwell.com. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/l1S3GGyo_o8  Show Notes & Related Links Watch a guided Knownwell demo Read "Here's what's really going on inside an LLM's neural network" in ArsTechnica Read the "Attention Is All You Need" research paper from a number of leaders at Google that's referenced in the episode Connect with Ramsri Goutham Golla on LinkedIn Connect with John Fowler on LinkedIn Connect with David DeWolf on LinkedIn Connect with Mohan Rao on LinkedIn Connect with Courtney Baker on LinkedIn Follow Knownwell on LinkedIn
Implementing AI is about more than just adopting technology—it’s about bringing people along for the journey. Why is change management a critical competency for successful AI initiatives? How can organizations go beyond early adopters to drive full-scale adoption? And what are the tools and innovations in AI that we’re most grateful for this year? Special guest Andrew DeBerry, Knownwell AI Advisory Board member, shares lessons from his work with Google X’s Bellwether team, which Time Magazine recently named one of 2024’s best inventions. Learn how AI is helping governments manage disaster response and why listening to end users is crucial for impactful innovation. Also, it’s Thanksgiving week, and the AI Knowhow team is climbing aboard the “thankfulness train” to share the AI tools that have transformed the way we work and think this year. Which tools did Courtney, David, and Mohan say were their favorites? You’ll have to listen to find out! All that PLUS Courtney talks with Pete in a new segment, Searching for Competition. Pete discusses OpenAI’s live search engine in ChatGPT and what it means for businesses leveraging real-time information. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0mDFVprFbyU   Explore Knownwell’s AI innovations at www.knownwell.com/demo
Ever wonder what the difference is between explainable AI and understandable AI? In this episode, we break it down so you can sound sharp at your next meeting. Host Courtney Baker is joined by Knownwell CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product Officer Mohan Rao to explore why these terms matter and how they impact AI adoption in business. They discuss the importance of explainable AI for technical insights and regulatory compliance, while highlighting understandable AI's role in building trust and enhancing user experience. Our guest, Dom Nicastro, Editor-in-Chief at CMSWire, shares insights on AI's growing influence in customer experience and journalism. From empowering frontline agents to aiding journalists without replacing their expertise, Nicastro reveals how AI serves as a transformative but complementary tool. Plus, don’t miss the debut of our new segment, Dragnet, where Pete Buer uncovers how AI helped the U.S. Treasury detect over $1 billion in fraud in 2024. It’s a real-world example of AI’s potential for good. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/txAJLP3iTvE  Want to shape the future of AI in your business? Sign up for Knownwell's early access program and beta waitlist at Knownwell.com.
Can a simple update to a 75-year-old decision-making framework give your business an edge with AI? To answer that, Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker, CEO David DeWolf, and CPO/CTO Mohan Rao discuss enhancing the classic OODA (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) loop with a new step: "Inspect." They explain how "Inspect" can empower companies to evaluate, learn, and refine decision processes in the age of automation, with real-world examples such as autonomous vehicles and medical AI applications. Check out www.knownwell.com/OODAI to download your own copy of the OODAI Loop.  Also, Michael Harnum of ESG Success shares insights on how AI is helping tech firms scale customer success without massive personnel increases. Michael illustrates how digital customer success tools, like automated monthly reviews and even virtual customer success managers, enable companies to nurture a broad customer base efficiently. All that PLUS Pete joins Courtney for AI in the Wild, diving into Ernst & Young's $1.4 billion investment in an in-house AI platform that now supports 96% of their workforce. Known as "Client Zero," this pioneering system is boosting operational efficiency and enhancing customer service—serving as a testing ground before client deployment. Make sure to check out www.knownwell.com/demo to get a look at Knownwell’s AI-powered platform for commercial intelligence.  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vCM5tQAkyrA
Are the days numbered for popular business intelligence tools like Tableau, Power BI, Looker, and Qlik? In this episode of AI Knowhow, we talk about AI’s transformative impact on data and analytics, exploring why traditional business intelligence tools may be approaching obsolescence. Knownwell CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product Officer Mohan Rao join CMO Courtney Baker to dive into the ways AI is shaping a new era, moving from static data reporting to dynamic, proactive intelligence that’s reshaping business decision-making. They argue that as AI matures, its capabilities in real-time insight and contextual understanding will supersede what BI tools can offer, creating a future where intelligence—not just information—guides business. In a compelling conversation with Max Votek of Customertimes, Chief Strategy Officer Pete Buer explores the American public’s surprising optimism about AI in healthcare. Max reveals insights from a recent Customertimes study, highlighting the public’s openness to AI diagnostics and potential improvements in efficiency and costs. The two also discuss the limits of AI in healthcare and why patients still prefer AI as a tool rather than a replacement for doctors. All that PLUS a new segment, "In the Year 2032," where Courtney and Pete look at the World Economic Forum’s take on AI’s impact on the workforce, including predictions that up to 90% of jobs could be affected by AI within a decade. With high-level analysis and engaging discussions, this episode sheds light on how AI is reshaping industries and what leaders need to consider for the road ahead. Curious to see if Knownwell can boost your team’s AI capabilities? Email us at Knownwell@knownwell.com with the subject line "AI Knowhow Offer" to see if you qualify for three free months of Knownwell’s platform. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bwNkTFkstao  Make sure to check out www.knownwell.com.
In the digital age, what does it take for marketing firms to stay ahead? AI Knowhow host Courtney Baker explores this with highlights from an exclusive marketing roundtable featuring insights from Knownwell’s Chief Product Officer, Mohan Rao, 2X CEO Dom Colasante, and Cognitive Path co-founder Geoff Livingston. Together, they tackle how AI helps agencies enhance their creativity, gain precise customer insights, and uncover new market opportunities. Later, Pete Buer catches up with Jeff Mason, CEO of Power Digital Marketing, to discuss AI-driven customer experiences and how his team leverages advanced tools to help brands scale effectively. From analyzing data for real-time insights to running AI-enabled customer service, Jeff shares his team’s innovative approaches and discusses AI’s role in elevating marketing precision and personalization to new heights. And don’t miss our Halloween-inspired game, “Trick or Treat,” where Courtney, David, and Mohan tackle quirky AI-themed questions and compete for the top score. Tune in to learn how marketing firms are reshaping themselves with AI, and what lies ahead for the future of data-driven creativity and strategy! Visit Knownwell.com/demo for an inside look at AI solutions for marketing.
As AI continues to revolutionize industries, why are so few organizations prepared with AI policies and procedures? And what role should HR leaders play in this transformation? In this second part of AI Knowhow from Knownwell, Chief Strategy Officer Pete Buer and CEO David DeWolf pick up their conversation about AI transformation in middle-market professional service companies. They dive deep into the strategic role HR should play in the next 18-36 months, advising that HR must be involved from the beginning to influence talent management, strategy, and change management. David shares a fascinating story about using ChatGPT to draft Knownwell’s first OKRs in under an hour, showcasing the practical impact of AI in leadership decision-making. We also hear from Tamarah Usher of Slalom, who explains how they’re enabling enterprise-wide AI transformation and scaling AI-driven innovations across their teams. HR’s readiness, she explains, is pivotal to navigating the fast-moving skills gap and workforce adaptation. Don't forget to check out Knownwell's AI Transformation Readiness Assessment to see how prepared your organization is for this new era: www.knownwell.com/assessment. Also, be sure to check out Nordlight at www.thenordlight.com.  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/QjxMJRX8OAc  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
AI is reshaping every facet of business—but which departments are least prepared, and what's the biggest challenge CEOs face in leading this transformation? In this special two-part episode of AI Knowhow, host Knownwell CEO David DeWolf chats with Chief Strategy Officer Pete Buer about the AI transformation mandate. They explore the critical role HR plays in preparing for this shift and the challenges middle-market companies face in aligning leadership and vision. Pete shares insights from his research on AI readiness, highlighting the key pain points faced by investors, CEOs, and HR leaders as they navigate this complex transformation. Later, Pete sits down with Jon Evans from Impact Networking to discuss how companies can become AI-enabled. Jon shares his experience building a team dedicated to AI transformation and breaks down the steps to move from AI vision to practical implementation. Together, they dive into the importance of empowering employees and aligning AI initiatives with business outcomes. Don't forget to check out Knownwell's AI Transformation Readiness Assessment to see how prepared your organization is for this new era: www.knownwell.com/assessment. Also, be sure to check out Nordlight at www.thenordlight.com.  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/4S1cvu6hfTE
How well are you using all the data flowing through your business? While businesses are familiar with using data from CRM, ERP, and business intelligence tools, Courtney, David, and Mohan explore the untapped power of unstructured data—emails, Slack messages, and Zoom calls. This new era of commercial intelligence uses AI to digest these communication streams and make smarter business decisions. David breaks down the five pillars of commercial intelligence—revenue intelligence, market intelligence, client intelligence, engagement intelligence, and value stream intelligence—while discussing how AI can transform professional service firms. Guest Chris Sorel from Catalyte joins Pete Buer to discuss how AI's potential goes far beyond generative models, improving everything from productivity to customer engagement and platform services. In the "What's Your 9-1-1?" segment, Pete highlights a fascinating New York Times story where AI correctly diagnosed a medical condition missed by doctors, sparking a conversation on how businesses should start considering AI as part of their customer engagement strategies. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KtEHBz8B-jk  Learn more about Knownwell’s commercial intelligence platform at www.knownwell.com/demo.
Ever wondered how AI can transform commercial intelligence? This week, Knownwell's CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product Officer Mohan Rao dive into the release of their AI-powered platform for commercial intelligence, now in private beta. They explore how this technology helps professional service firms improve client satisfaction and prevent surprise churn. David and Mohan kick off with exciting news about Knownwell’s recent $4 million seed round, which will accelerate product development. Mohan shares the breakthroughs that have led to the latest beta product, highlighting major improvements in user experience, scoring insights using LLMs, and the platform's real-time unstructured data analysis capabilities. Together, they unpack the complexities of integrating AI into commercial operations and why early customers are already seeing transformative results. Later, Courtney Baker and Pete Buer join the show for another AI in the Wild, discussing how JPMorgan Chase is equipping 140,000 workers with generative AI tools, projecting $2 billion in value through productivity gains and cost savings. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tNFjRrCLjgM  Sign up to see Knownwell in action: https://knownwell.com/demo/
What if AI could anticipate your needs without you even having to ask? This episode explores the emerging world of ambient AI and how it will revolutionize business operations. First, Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao discuss the shift from AI as a tool you go to, to AI that seamlessly blends into your day-to-day activities—delivering insights and taking actions in real time, all without prompting. Later, Pete Buer talks with AI and innovation keynote speaker Dan Chuparkoff about why AI is like a piñata, bursting with potential once you break through the surface. Dan shares his insights on how AI will fundamentally change teamwork, decision-making, and even personal productivity, revealing new layers of efficiency. Also, in a brand new segment, Pete and Courtney dive into Canva's bold move to raise prices by 300% with the introduction of new AI features. Will this strategy help or hinder its market dominance? Tune in to find out how AI is reshaping the tools we rely on and what it means for your business. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/OcLjuyu3Mdk  Make sure to get the exciting news from Knownwell at www.knownwell.com.
With AI seemingly everywhere, how can you distinguish between true AI-native products and AI-infused ones? And why does the distinction even matter in the first place?  In this episode, Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao clarify the differences between AI-native products built from the ground up and AI-infused products that simply incorporate AI features. They explore how this distinction impacts business decisions and what to look for when considering tech solutions for future-proofing and innovation. Later, Pete Buer sits down with special guest Peter Armaly, a partner at Valuize and author of the new book Mastering Customer Success. They discuss how AI is revolutionizing customer success management and its role in predicting customer behavior, aiding decision-making, and increasing customer retention. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/tm0C4AawmfY  Ready to reimagine your business with AI? Visit www.Knownwell.com.
In the second quarter of 2024, a staggering $24 billion in venture capital flowed into AI startups. But where exactly is all that money going, and what does it signify for businesses navigating the AI landscape? Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao break down the three major categories where AI investment is focused: vertical AI applications, horizontal AI applications, and AI development infrastructure. David and Mohan highlight why business leaders should care about this surge in funding, emphasizing how it signals the next wave of AI innovation and practical ROI for companies that strategically invest. Also, James O’Brien, co-founder of Ducky.AI, shares insights into how his AI-powered customer support platform is transforming knowledge management in businesses and explains how AI is augmenting—not replacing—human tasks. All of that PLUS another edition of AI in the Wild! Pete Buer discusses a major partnership between Accenture and Google Cloud, exploring how their joint efforts in generative AI and cybersecurity could inspire confidence in skeptics of AI's ROI timeline. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/UKKMD0C7ekw Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com
Can you believe it's been a year? AI Knowhow is celebrating its first anniversary, and we’re marking the occasion by taking a nostalgic look back at an incredible year of AI insights and innovations.  In this special anniversary episode, host Courtney Baker is joined by Knownwell’s CEO, David DeWolf, and Chief Product Officer, Mohan Rao, to reflect on the episodes, surprises, and even debates that made the past year so memorable. The trio delves into the unexpected twists in AI's evolution, from the powerful impact of generative AI on software development to the surprising lack of enterprise-wide AI orchestration. Courtney challenges David and Mohan to share what surprised them the most in the AI landscape over the last year. Later, Pete Buer joins with a fascinating "What Is Your Flavor?" segment, revealing how AI is revolutionizing the alcohol industry. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K9mMhAhEtxQ Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Can OpenAI’s "Five Steps to Artificial General Intelligence" (AGI) be applied to business strategy? We think so—and we’re ready to break it down for you. Courtney Baker is joined by David DeWolf and Mohan Rao to delve into OpenAI’s recently unveiled five-step roadmap to AGI and compare it with Knownwell’s own five altitudes of AI in business. Are we really just at the tip of the spear with AI or are we closer to significant business transformation than we think? Pete Buer speaks with Blake Morgan, customer experience futurist and author of "The Eight Laws of Customer-Focused Leadership." Blake and Pete discuss how AI is transforming customer interactions and what businesses need to do to stay ahead in this evolving landscape. All that PLUS Courtney and Pete take a look back at some of the most impactful guest interviews from the past year, with Pete sharing the conversation that left a lasting impression on him. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zqE5GUvHj9g  Visit Knownwell’s website to learn more: www.knownwell.com
How do you sell AI across a company with a diverse workforce—ranging from the skeptical finance team to the enthusiastic Gen Z in HR? In this episode of AI Knowhow from Knownwell, CMO Courtney Baker is joined by CEO David DeWolf and Chief Technology & Product Officer Mohan Rao to discuss strategies for getting everyone on board with AI, even those resistant to change. First, they dive into the challenges of driving AI adoption, sharing insights on how to identify champions, showcase early wins, and frame new AI initiatives as low-risk experiments. Then, Chief Strategy Officer Pete Buer speaks with Philipp Mueller, Chief Analyst and Product Officer at Outsell, who shares his expertise on overcoming resistance within organizations and driving meaningful AI adoption. In our AI in the Wild segment, we explore the inspiring story of U.S. Representative Jennifer Wexton, who, after losing her voice to a neurological disorder, uses AI to regain it—showcasing AI’s transformative power in personal and professional lives. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/e6zFS5diz1Y  Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com
Do you need to understand backpropagation, K-means clustering, or hyperparameter tuning to lead an AI transformation in your business? Probably not. So, what should you focus on instead? In this episode, David DeWolf and Mohan Rao explore how to think strategically about AI adoption, from identifying your company’s pain points to deciding whether to build or buy AI solutions. They also discuss the critical role business leaders play in driving AI projects, emphasizing the importance of focusing on business outcomes rather than getting lost in the technology. Later in the episode, Pete Buer sits down with Aby Varma, a global marketing leader, to talk about AI-native products and what executives need to know to stay competitive. Varma shares insights on leveraging AI for content at scale and discusses the future of marketing technology, including the rise of AI agents and tech consolidation. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/K-Luk7Eg3SY  Register for the Marketing Roundtable: www.knownwell.com/marketingroundtable  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
In the evolving landscape of AI, professional service companies face a critical juncture: productize or risk being left behind. But what does it mean to productize services in an AI-driven economy? Join Knownwell's Chief Marketing Officer, Courtney Baker, CEO David DeWolf, Chief Product Officer Mohan Rao, and Chief Strategy Officer Pete Buer as they explore why now is the time for service companies to rethink their models and embrace AI to enhance value and efficiency. Mohan and David delve into the shift from a growth-focused economy to a performance economy and discuss how this shift is pushing professional service firms towards more scalable, productized offerings. They tackle tough questions: Is this shift leading to a race to the bottom, or can AI offer a path to greater differentiation and value? Special guest Dr. Shai Azoulai, a cognitive neuroscientist, joins Pete Buer for an insightful conversation on what non-technical executives need to understand about AI. Dr. Azoulai shares his expertise on the distinctions between human cognition and AI capabilities, highlighting where AI excels and where human intuition and strategic thinking still reign supreme. All that, PLUS the July AI Wrap-up! Courtney recaps the latest developments in the AI world, including Meta’s release of Llama 3.1 and the surging investment in AI startups amidst growing skepticism about AI's ROI. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/MrDKhNV54TE  Find out more about Knownwell: www.knownwell.com
Ready to take the reins and lead your company into the AI era?  Our panel discusses the traits of early adopters, the importance of fostering a culture of innovation, and practical steps to get started with AI in your organization. Special guest Can Turan, CEO and founder of Pebbles Ai, shares insights from his journey in automating B2B go-to-market workflows with AI. Can and Pete Buer explore the intersection of AI and business, offering valuable advice for leaders looking to drive AI adoption. In our AI in the Wild segment, Pete brings a fascinating story from Cheyenne, Wyoming, where resident Victor Miller is campaigning to get his AI creation, VIC, on the mayoral ballot. Pete discusses the potential and limitations of AI in governance, sparking a thought-provoking conversation on the future of AI in public administration. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0PZxmnTxrlk  Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. 00:00 Introduction to AI Early Adopters 00:40 AI in the Wild: AI for Mayor 04:07 Empowering Early Adopters in Your Organization 07:50 Becoming an Innovator: Practical Steps 11:29 Leadership's Role in Fostering Innovation 15:24 Interview with AI Entrepreneur John 17:06 AI in Marketing: Insights from Pebbles AI 22:29 Practical Advice for AI Adoption 24:43 Conclusion and Final Thoughts #AI #Innovation #EarlyAdopters #BusinessLeadership #CustomerSuccess #AIinBusiness #Marketing #GrowthStrategy #AIInnovation #Leadership #AIApplications #DigitalTransformation #FutureOfWork #TechLeadership #AIinGovernment
How can businesses ensure customer satisfaction in economic relationships? How can they continually elevate the value they bring? And what if AI could fortify your company’s foundational strengths? The answer lies in commercial intelligence. Courtney Baker is joined by Knownwell’s CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product Officer Mohan Rao. They dive into the transformative potential of AI in solving commercial intelligence problems, highlighting how AI can enhance and augment business processes to sustain and grow economic relationships, making companies more profitable and client-centric. Special guest Dr. Andy Workman, Provost at Widener University, shares insights with Chief Strategy Officer Pete Buer on what business leaders can learn from the challenging economics of running colleges and universities. He discusses how AI can tackle issues like stagnant revenue, high labor costs, and increased competition, drawing parallels between the higher education sector and the corporate world. In our AI in the Wild segment, we introduce Knownwell's Lead Data Scientist, Ramsri Golla, who developed an AI model featured in the Google I/O keynote. Ramsri explains how he and Ravi Theja Desetty trained a model on 15 different Indic languages, showcasing the incredible potential of AI in breaking language barriers and enhancing communication. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/M0RYC3HQMY4  Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Ever wondered how AI is reshaping the marketing landscape and the balance between creativity and relationships? In this very special episode, we play a conversation that our very own Courtney Baker had on No Brainer, a podcast hosted by Geoff Livingston and Greg Verdino about marketing and AI. Courtney, Geoff, and Greg explore the balance of AI's capabilities in marketing, discussing the limitations of AI-generated content and the enduring value of human creativity. Hear about the challenges and opportunities for mid-market companies to harness AI, and why it's a moment for these businesses to lean into AI innovation. Check out more from the No Brainer crew at www.nobrainerpodcast.com. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/n54TABcpWAA Sign-up for Knownwell's beta: www.knownwell.com AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
The dog days of summer are upon us, but we're bringing the heat with fresh content. In this special episode of AI Knowhow from Knownwell, we're airing the complete interviews of two previously aired guest interviews packed with new insights and inspiration. First, tune into Pete Buer's conversation with Katie Taylor, CEO and Co-founder of Narratize. Recently accepted into NVIDIA's inception accelerator program, Katie shares her journey in building Narratize, a trusted generative AI co-author designed to accelerate market fit for innovative enterprises. Learn how Narratize is revolutionizing communication across functional areas, creating high-impact stories in 20 minutes or less, and maintaining human-led AI transformation. Next up, Courtney Baker sits down with Greg Alexander, founder of Collective 54, a mastermind group for professional services leaders. Greg discusses the AI revolution's impact on boutique professional services firms, emphasizing the importance of embracing AI to increase productivity and profitability. Discover how AI is leveling the playing field for smaller firms and why hyper-specialization is the key to staying competitive in this fast-paced landscape. Don't miss these rich conversations on AI's transformative potential and actionable strategies for leveraging AI in your business. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nvyW6C2LJsc  Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
How can professional services companies start utilizing AI to keep their customers coming back? Recently, Knownwell CEO David DeWolf was joined by Tercera CEO Chris Barbin and DCM Insights Founding Partner Ted McKenna to dive into the stats on customer loyalty in B2B services and offer up some answers.  Download the new client retention playbook with three proven strategies to retain customers at Knownwell.com/playbook. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/c5N9x_IyS8E  Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com.  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Steve Jobs once called the computer the “bicycle for the mind." What should we call AI? The Ferrari? Fighter jet? Maybe even the flying car? In this episode, host Courtney Baker, along with Knownwell’s CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product Officer Mohan Rao, dive into the transformative power of AI and its impact on the future of work.  Our panel discusses the exciting yet daunting concept of AI as a second brain and the ethical considerations that come with it. How will AI elevate human potential and reshape the workplace? David and Mohan share their insights on balancing human creativity with AI’s capabilities, ensuring we don’t lose the human touch in this technological revolution. Special guest Naeem Ishaq, CFO of Checkr, joins Pete Buer to shed light on how AI is changing hiring practices and the roles companies are seeking in this new era. Naeem explains how Checkr leverages AI to streamline background checks and ensure fairness, significantly impacting the hiring landscape. All that PLUS... another segment of Pete/CounterPete. This time the Petes tackle the provocative statement: “AI is coming for all our jobs.” They explore the potential and limitations of AI in the workforce, with insights from World Economic Forum data predicting a dynamic shift in job roles. Download the new client retention playbook with three proven strategies to retain customers at Knownwell.com/playbook. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/eRecbE8BBYY  Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com.  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Customer acquisition costs are rising, and marketing budgets remain flat. But does that mean fewer customers? Not if the Chief Experience Officer and AI have a say. In this episode, CMO Courtney Baker is joined by Knownwell’s CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product Officer Mohan Rao. They delve into how AI is transforming customer growth strategies, discussing why AI is crucial for proactive customer success and personalized experiences at scale. They also explore the emerging importance of the Chief Experience Officer in this AI-driven landscape. Our special guest, Daniel Salvato from NewSpring Capital, sits down with Pete Buer to share how NewSpring's portfolio companies leverage AI to drive growth, from content creation to data visualization and personalized customer outreach. Daniel reveals how mid-market companies can now compete with larger enterprises thanks to accessible AI tools. In our segment AI in the Wild, Pete discusses the latest news from Apple, including how the revamped Siri is setting the stage for broader AI adoption and user comfort across all devices. Download the latest playbook from Knownwell’s Chief Strategy Officer, Pete Buer, on incorporating AI into client retention strategies at Knownwell.com/playbook. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/9Gt2QJ3mERM  Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
What are the most critical things for executives to know about AI? How can leaders stay current on all the most impactful developments in this space when it's moving at the speed of light? Join host Courtney Baker and Knownwell’s top executives—CEO David DeWolf, Chief Product Officer Mohan Rao, and Chief Strategy Officer Pete Buer—as they delve into the essential AI knowledge every leader needs.  They revisit the concept of building an AI-literate leadership team and expand on creating an AI-ready culture across the entire company. Discover strategies for fostering a culture of innovation from both the top-down and bottom-up, balancing executive sponsorship with grassroots experimentation. Sharon McCarthy, an expert in behavioral science who has worked with brands like Taco Bell, Kraft, and Discovery Channel, joins us to explore the intersection of AI and human behavior. She shares how AI can accelerate decision-making and cultural transformation within organizations, leveraging behavioral science principles to overcome common obstacles. All that PLUS a thought-provoking new segment, Pete/CounterPete, where Pete debates himself on whether AI will disrupt and transform entire industries as the digital revolution did. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mgxp01fDT_U  Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Is the Net Promoter Score (NPS) still relevant today? In this episode of AI Knowhow, we dive deep into why this 20-year-old metric might be outdated and how AI can revolutionize customer satisfaction. Courtney, David, and Mohan discuss the limitations of NPS and CSAT scores, revealing how AI provides more accurate and dynamic ways to gauge customer happiness. Discover how AI can offer real-time insights into customer sentiment, leading to smarter decisions and better customer relationships. We also hear from Doug Meiser of AMEND, who shares practical examples of how AI is driving operational excellence in various industries. Discover how AI optimizes production schedules, enhances early warning systems, and integrates seamlessly with human operations. All that PLUS Pete Buer joins us for an engaging "AI in the Wild" segment, where he talks about an AI-powered robot delivering a commencement speech at a New York university. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Km-yvhvxRuQ  Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Is AI poised to solve all of humanity’s problems or are we headed for a tech-driven catastrophe?  In this episode of AI Knowhow, we dive 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. Later, Geoff Livingston, founder of Cognitive Path and host of the No-Brainer podcast, 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 new segment, "Take a Lap, David" revisiting one of David’s Hot Takes from a few months back.  Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/P9lNra1PH7A  Remember to sign up for the roundtable discussion with David DeWolf, CEO of Tercera Chris Barbin, and Founding Partner of DCM Insights Ted McKenna. They're hosting a round table with leaders of Professional Services companies to discuss client retention in the AI era. You don't want to miss this! You can sign up today at Knownwell.com/roundtable. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
What’s the number one AI skill you can implement today? How can you ensure your executive team is up to speed with AI advancements?  First, Courtney, David, and Mohan revisit the topic of gauging your executive team's AI IQ and discuss the significance of both top-down and grassroots efforts in driving AI adoption. They provide practical steps for maintaining momentum and fostering a culture of experimentation and innovation. Next, Pete talks with Karen Posey about the mindset CEOs need for AI success. Karen shares insights on the challenges and opportunities of integrating AI into business strategies, stressing the importance of customer-focused problem-solving and the evolving roles within organizations. All of that PLUS Dan Sanchez, also known as Danchez, joins Courtney in a new segment: AI Skills! In this installment, Dan emphasizes the importance of using the plus version of ChatGPT to create custom GPTs, comparing them to the "Excel of AI." He shares tips on leveraging AI to automate repetitive tasks and optimize workflows, highlighting the importance of iterative improvement and experimentation. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/zE9mXUeAj-c Sign up for Knownwell’s beta: www.knownwell.com  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
How can we ensure that employees, not just Wall Street, benefit from the productivity and efficiency gains of AI? And which one of us at Knownwell has very strong feelings about why a shift to a 32-hour work week would actually be a bad thing? To help us answer these questions, this episode starts with a lively discussion between Knownwell's Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao. They debate a recent bill proposed in the US Senate that suggests AI productivity gains should enable a 32-hour work week (as opposed to the traditional 40). Spoiler alert: There is no consensus on this idea among our panelists. Following that, Pete Buer speaks with Dr. Mfon Akpan, an assistant professor of accounting at Methodist University. They explore how AI is specifically impacting accounting practitioners and educational programs. All of this PLUS Pete and Courtney discuss the Rabbit R1 device that Pete purchased and still hasn't received, in our latest edition of 'AI in the Wild'. Sign up to be part of Knownwell's beta at www.knownwell.com. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/XxgMGD9EeIc  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
How is AI going to change the world of B2B sales? And if sales reps today only spend 28% of their time selling, where do they spend the other 72%?   In this episode, the team talks about how AI intersects with sales and how you can leverage it in your business. First, Courtney welcomes Mohan to the show for another edition of "AI Mythbusters". Today's topic: AI is relatively new. Mohan has some strong feelings about it. After that, Courtney, David and Mohan are joined by special guest, Andre Yee from Tiga AI. They explore how AI is revolutionizing sales processes and emphasize the blend of data-driven insights and the essential human elements of sales relationships. After that, Pete chats with SBI's Nick Toman about his company's research into B2B selling profiles and the impact AI has on sales. To claim one of the 10 slots available to check out what Knownwell is building, visit www.knownwell.com/preview. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/wPhpj7yP6MM  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Everybody knows it's cheaper to keep a client than gain a new one.   So how can AI ensure that you keep them?  And what if AI could also give you early warning signals that a client is at-risk?  Spoiler: It can. Courtney, David, and Mohan have a conversation about client retention and the opportunities available for business to keep the clients they have. (They also talk about Chik-fil-A more than once.) Also, Pete speaks with Noah Curran of Monkedia about why winning the right customers is one of the real keys to customer retention. All that PLUS Courtney and Pete debut a new segment called AI in the Wild. This week Pete talks about how IBM is using AI to help run farms more efficiently and effectively. To claim one of the 10 slots available to check out what Knownwell is building, visit www.knownwell.com/preview. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ilUxrRnapRQ  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
How is AI different from previous flashes in the pan like Google Glass, VR, or the Metaverse? And how can anyone find time for new AI initiatives on top of everything else already on their plate?  Courtney, David, and Mohan discuss how businesses can strategically integrate AI to enhance efficiency and stay competitive despite the daily operational whirlwind. After that, Pete speaks with Narratize's Katie Taylor about tangible ways generative AI can actually give you more time back in the day.   All that PLUS we debut a new segment: AI Mythbusters! Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bzHw5l44O5g  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Today's episode not only unpacks how clean your data has to be, but also emphasizes that you can't let perfection be the enemy of good enough. So, like most things, there are a lot of angles to consider, but that's why this episode is here for you. Courtney, David, and Mohan explore how businesses can navigate data cleanliness beyond the traditional data stack approaches. They argue for the importance of operationalizing data swiftly and efficiently, bypassing extensive normalization efforts. Also, Pete speaks with Jon Gillham from Originality.AI about the risks and rewards of using AI-generated content online. All that PLUS the latest AI Business news. This week, Pete and Courtney explore  Want to Know if AI Will Replace Your Job? I Tried Using it to Replace Myself and A New York business chatbot is sending out some particularly bad information.  Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/bzHw5l44O5g  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Can AI help you punch above your weight more easily than ever before? Courtney, David, and Mohan discuss how AI can be a game-changer for small and medium-sized businesses, allowing them to compete more effectively against larger providers. They stress the importance of leveraging AI to automate operations and strategic knowledge work that was previously challenging for smaller businesses. After that, Pete speaks with futurist Aaron Linne (AI Producer) about the future of AI in business as well as what, exactly, a futurist is.  All that PLUS... the news. This week, Courtney and Pete talk about an article from Forbes titled  Slam Dunk Technology: How AI is Revolutionizing The Game of Basketball. They also dive into an article from PYMNTS: Wendy’s Launches AI-Driven Loyalty Platform to Deliver Customized Rewards Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_bsFgxvZ9YQ  AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Is AI damaging client relationships by ditching humans? And, if so, what can executives do about it? Courtney, David, and Mohan get to the bottom of that question in this week's roundtable. They talk about the need to balance AI utilization with human interactions and suggest ways that AI can help us build the human relationships that companies need to thrive. After that, Pete speaks with BELAY's Krisha Buehler about how her team at BELAY continuously experiments with AI tools so they can stay on the cutting edge of customer experience.  All that PLUS Courtney and Pete talk about the important news in AI & Business including Workplace AI, robots and trackers are bad for quality of life, study finds and How Financial Services Firms Can Unleash the Power of Generative AI. Read our new whitepaper: Unlocking the Power of AI: A Guide to Assessing Readiness for Business Transformation Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
They say that history repeats itself. Well, that is especially true in business and innovation. In this episode, we explore what business leaders can learn from past technological disruptions and business failures. Courtney, David, and Mohan tackle companies including Blockbuster, Kodak, and Nokia and pinpoint what they missed and how you can avoid paying a similar price with your business. After that, Pete speaks with Full Focus Founder and Chairman Michael Hyatt. Michael's experience leading Thomas Nelson Publishers through the transition to digital provides listeners with useful insights as our world is being shaped by AI. And, of course, we have the latest in AI & Business News with Pete and Courtney. This week they talk about an AI tool called Devin that can tackle entire software projects and another project where AI is being used to decipher whale calls. Listen to David's interview on Entrepreneuers On Fire: https://www.eofire.com/podcast/daviddewolf/ Read our new whitepaper: Unlocking the Power of AI: A Guide to Assessing Readiness for Business Transformation Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
How is AI going to fundamentally change the way companies conduct business? How should you be thinking about the evolution of your company’s own business model? To help us answer these important questions, Courtney, David, and Mohan discuss the potential disruptions brought about by AI, which might ultimately change business models or entire industries. They also explore the distinction between a change in model and a change in strategy, using Google as an example. After that, Michelle Swan from Tercera joins Pete Buer to discuss how they are examining AI opportunities for both Tercera and the portfolio companies they invest in. All that PLUS the latest news in AI with Courtney and Pete. This week, they discuss H&R Block and TurboTax allowing customers to use AI for tax advice and the release of the third version of Claude.ai. Read our new whitepaper: Unlocking the Power of AI: A Guide to Assessing Readiness for Business Transformation Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Knownwell CEO David DeWolf likes to point out that 80% of our workday is consumed by cross-functional collaboration. In this episode, we explore the impact that AI will have not only on how we spend our time at the office but also on who we work with and how we collaborate. Courtney Baker leads a panel with David DeWolf and Mohan Rao on AI's impact on cross-functional collaboration, talent acquisition, and knowledge management. After that, Pete Buer speaks with Brill Media's Robert Brill about how his company uses AI for some of their work with clients. All that AND this week's news. This week, Courtney and Pete explore the growth in AI talent jobs and JPMorgan's AI-aided cashflow model that can cut work by 90%. Read our new whitepaper: Unlocking the Power of AI: A Guide to Assessing Readiness for Business Transformation Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
In a special (and very spicy) episode, the C-Suite team at Knownwell gets together to share their personal favorite hot takes about AI in the business world. Which of the FAANG stocks does David DeWolf think will see a decline? What percentage of AI transformation projects does Pete Buer believe will ultimately fail? How many winners and losers does Mohan Rao foresee emerging in our new AI age? How much time does Courtney Baker predict AI will actually save us in 2024? And, in perhaps the spiciest take of all, what are Google's Gemini's thoughts on all of this? If you have thoughts on any of these hot takes, please share your comments over on the YouTube version of this episode: https://youtu.be/J-aGDhhy1go  Read our new whitepaper: Unlocking the Power of AI: A Guide to Assessing Readiness for Business Transformation Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Developers using an AI copilot can now write code more than two times faster those who don't use AI assistance. Multimodal AI will soon become so commonplace that it essentially becomes table stakes. And there's a rapidly growing wave of AI companionship among younger generations as statistics show we're in the midst of a loneliness epidemic in the US. How should business leaders look at these trends and the many more that are covered in CB Insights' exhaustive report on 2024 generative AI predictions? Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao dive into this meaty, 112-page report and help listeners make sense of some of the stats and trends it covers. Chief Strategy Officer Pete Buer also talks with Praveen Narra, CEO of Tech.US, about how his organization is using AI to help companies completely reinvent their business models—and how you can do the same. All of that PLUS Courtney and Pete review the week in AI and Business news. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/KUwW2BGPFk0  Read our new whitepaper: Unlocking the Power of AI: A Guide to Assessing Readiness for Business Transformation Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
As a leader in your organization, you need to understand a simple point: AI can exponentially enhance operationall efficiency which, in turn, will boost productivity, increase profits, and foster innovation.  If you're not sure how to get started in using AI within your own company, then this is the episode for you. Knownwell's Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao talk about how AI can be the ultimate multiplier in your organization. They also reflect on how we can apply the lessons of past technological revolutions to this moment.  After that, Pete Buer speaks with 3Pillar's Pankaj Chawla about the difference between "everyday" AI and "game-changing" AI. Pankaj provides practical advice for businesses embarking on their AI journey, emphasizing the importance of starting with manageable projects and developing a robust data infrastructure. And, of course, we've got the latest in AI Business news with Courtney and Pete. This week they explore what Google's newly-rebranded Gemini means for the AI space and Pete hands out some awards for his favorite AI-themed Super Bowl commercials. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/piJ9MrxFLfk  Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
What makes an AI-enabled company different from companies that aren't yet using AI? What benefits do leaders stand to gain if they do enable their business with AI? David DeWolf, Mohan Rao, and Courtney Baker discuss the possibilities and responsibilities of an AI-enabled business.  Then, Dmitry Shapiro, CEO of YouAI, joins Pete Buer to discuss his company's product, Mind Studio, and how it's democratizing access to developing AI applications. As a special treat, Courtney tells Mohan and David how they did in last week's "Guess the Number of Times AI is Mentioned During Quarterly Sales Calls" Game.  All of that PLUS the latest in AI business news with Courtney and Pete. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/1uLQ3rnNDb8  Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
What makes harnessing the power of AI in the near term all but an imperative for executives? How is the disruption artificial intelligence is bringing about different from the digital transformation we've seen impact so many industries in the last several decades? This episode of AI Knowhow looks at the rapid adoption of artificial intelligence we've experienced in the last year and how the adoption curve from exploration to ROI seems to be even more collapsed than those in previous periods of technology disruption. David DeWolf, Mohan Rao, and Courtney Baker discuss whether we've reached the point where getting started with AI is truly a do or die proposition.  Greg Alexander, Founder of the professional services mastermind community Collective 54, joins Pete Buer to share his insights into why AI is the ultimate leveler of the playing field for boutique professional services firms.  Plus Courtney and Pete Buer talk about the latest in business and AI. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/k-4VOo5JtkU  Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Which industry gets the award for the most challenging one when it comes to client retention? And how can AI help with client retention in professional services and beyond? This episode of AI Knowhow touches on those questions and more. David DeWolf, Mohan Rao, and Courtney Baker discuss the role that AI can have in helping professional services organizations A) gain a deeper understanding of all the various signals impacting and showing client satisfaction and B) help leaders keep their finger on the pulse of client satisfaction as their organizations scale from the $10M-$20M in annual revenue range to $100MM-$200MM and above. Pete Buer also talks with Matt Dixon of DCM Insights about some of his company's groundbreaking research, which found that client retention in professional services is hard and getting harder. A recent study DCM Insights conducted found that, as recently as five years ago, 76% of buyers preferred to buy again from partners or firms they'd used in the past. That percentage today has dropped to 53%, and it's expected to drop to 37% in the next five years. The big takeaway for business leaders is clear: continuing to serve clients as if we're in a business as usual environment is a recipe for eventual extinction. All that plus Courtney and Pete cover the latest news, including an overview of AI news coming out of the World Economic Forum's annual gathering in Davos and a new report from McKinsey that shows the gap between Digital and AI leaders and laggards is only growing. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/mgJx7Ka993A Sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist at https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
Are you ready to add an AI-powered digital executive to your C-Suite? What problems would it help solve? And how would you even know if you needed one? This episode is all about introducing Knownwell Client Intelligence, an AI-powered product we're building to help professional services companies derive greater insights from the natural communication flows and structured data in their business. The aim of Knownwell Client Intelligence is to help executives get smarter about utilizing their existing data and information to drive client retention. Research has shown that companies can increase profitability by up to 91% if they improve retention by as little as 5%. David DeWolf, Mohan Rao, and Courtney Baker discuss the pain points they've heard from executives since launching Knownwell in September that have led us to build Knownwell Client Intelligence and the larger Knownwell Intelligent Enterprise Operating Platform. All that PLUS the news with Pete Buer. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/WWLwZJJYTPo  To sign up for the Knownwell Client Intelligence beta waitlist, go to https://knownwell.com/client-intelligence/.
What are some of the biggest challenges executives and board members will have to work through in 2024? How can AI help business leaders at the highest levels solve some of these challenges as they navigate their organizations through unprecedented change? This episode explores some of the toughest questions executives have to address. Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao engage in a wide-ranging discussion that covers the deluge of data companies now have to sift through to find insights, the increasing difficulty of client retention in a world where choice is more abundant than ever, and the challenge of mining unstructured data for information and insights that lead to impact. Pete Buer also talks with Ingrid Curtis, President of Sparq, about how her company is using AI to drive customer satisfaction and client retention. This includes developing several internal, AI-powered tools that leverage the power of shared knowledge and experience from across their entire organization, rather than keeping those siloed in teams or individuals. All that plus Courtney and Pete cover the latest news, which includes layoffs from Google and Volkswagen integrating ChatGPT into its vehicles this year. To join the beta waitlist for Knownwell's first intelligent enterprise operating system, make sure to visit www.knownwell.com. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell.
It's a brand new year and AI is only going to become more important to you and your business. How can you capitalize on the opportunities that AI affords while also negating the threats?  In this episode, Courtney Baker has an in-depth conversation with Knownwell's David DeWolf and Mohan Rao about the full spectrum of AI opportunities and threats. After that, Pete Buer speaks with Kastle Systems CEO Haniel Lynn about how to choose the right AI opportunities to pursue. And, of course, Courtney and Pete keep you up-to-date on all the latest news in business and AI. Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how we can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
In this special episode, we're playing the entire conversation between Pete Buer and Christian Madsbjerg, author of the new book, Look: How to Pay Attention in a Distracted World. This is a perfect interview for this week between Christmas and New Year's Day as it asks us to think critically about both machines and humanity itself. What makes humans human in the first place? How does human philosophy shape our understanding of the world? What is the nature of machine intelligence? All of those questions and more are discussed in this engaging conversation.  Programming note:  There will be no new episode of AI Knowhow on January 1, 2024. We'll be back with a brand new episode on January 8.  Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how we can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
As we enter the Age of AI, it's important to stop and a simple question: What does it actually mean to be human in a world of artificial intelligence? We attempt to provide some perspective on that very big idea. First, Courtney Baker speaks with David DeWolf and Mohan Rao about the human requirements for leadership and the ways in which human intelligence excels in a social world.  After that, Pete Buer speaks with Christian Madsbjerg about his new book, Look: How to Pay Attention in a Distracted World. Christian discusses the importance of attention and observation in human intelligence and questions the very concept of "machine intelligence".  Also, Courtney and Pete talk about all of the latest in AI news in business including an exploration of Calm using an AI-generated Jimmy Stewart voice on their app. Note: Next week's episode (released on Christmas) will be the entire conversation between Pete and this week's guest, Christian Madsbjerg. You'll definitely want to check that out. Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how we can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
2023 has undoubtedly been a massive year for the advancement of AI. Technology giants from Amazon to Google to Microsoft are racing to unveil their AI products and features faster than the others. ChatGPT has more than 100 million users just over a year after being launched. With all that has happened in the last year in the AI space, what could 2024 have in store? That's the topic of conversation on this episode of AI Knowhow. Knownwell CEO David DeWolf and Courtney Baker forecast what they see as some likely scenarios for 2024 (and David even answers what he doesn't see coming in 2024). Steve Marcinuk, Co-Founder and GM of Intelligent Relations, joins Pete Buer to share his predictions around AI for 2024. Steve and his team have spent the last four years building an AI-powered product that helps companies get more out of their Marketing and PR efforts. Also, Courtney and Pete have the most important AI news for you this week. Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how we can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
Most of what's happening in the workplace with AI today happens at the execution level. Content writing and code writing are two prominent examples of execution tasks that AI has greatly impacted already. What's the next frontier for AI, and why does it hold even greater promise for businesses? This episode dives into what the next frontier of AI for businesses will be: moving up a level to the operations layer of a company to drive smarter decision-making and reduce the overhead of cross-functional collaboration. David DeWolf and Courtney Baker dive deeper into the concept introduced on episode 8 of the show around the different altitudes of AI in business, specifically drilling in on the shift from the Execution layer to the Operations layer. Pete Buer speaks with Tracie Sponenberg, Chief People Officer at The Granite Group and co-founder of New Hampshire's DisruptHR conference, about how she sees AI impacting the people side of the equation in the workplace.  Lastly, Courtney and Pete break down some of the week's top AI news and what it means for your business. Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how we can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
At a recent conference, one OpenAI executive recently said that their company is not really seeing other businesses' leaders looking for ROI from AI yet. David DeWolf and Courtney Baker were at that conference and have been holding off on talking about it until they could loop Mohan Rao in for a lively debate on whether or not it's true. Also, in our special breaking In The News segment, Courtney and Pete Buer breakdown some of the week's top news, including the week-long saga of Sam Altman's full circle turn as CEO of OpenAI, as covered by Wired (OpenAI's Boardroom Drama Could Mess Up Your Future) and The NYT (Before Altman's Ouster, OpenAI's Board Was Divided and Feuding) Lastly, Pete talks with board member and CEO advisor Anna Catalano to get her take on how boards are thinking about AI in terms of governance, enterprise risk, return on investment, and considerations for AI deployment within organizations. Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how we can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
Out of all the industries that will be disrupted by AI, which one stands to be disrupted the most? And what are the implications of this disruption for knowledge workers and the companies that employ them?  Courtney Baker and Knownwell CEO David DeWolf discuss the implications of a recent study from Bain that found that 41% of labor time in the Professional Services industry can be automated using Generative AI.  Also, Pete Buer talks with Scott Varho about Enterprise Generative AI and how organizations can accelerate innovation cycles using AI. And, of course, Courtney and Pete break down the week's top news, including some of the announcements from OpenAI's DevDay event. Watch this entire episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/vCCiHDQPk6g. Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how we can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
Out of all the areas where you could apply AI in your business, where should you? How do you prioritize the most important initiatives that will have the greatest impact on your business? For CEOs and other leaders trying to figure out exactly how and where their companies should be utilizing AI, it can be hard to pinpoint which opportunities they should pursue and which are most likely fool's gold. In this episode, David DeWolf, Mohan Rao, and Courtney Baker provide some proactive tips leaders can use as they survey the business landscape to determine their most impactful first steps with AI. Also, Vecteris Co-Founder Eisha Armstrong joins Pete Buer to share some of her insights into how the Generative AI boom is bringing much more attention to the idea of productizing certain services. All of this plus Courtney and Pete cover some of the biggest news in AI this week including Elon Musk telling UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak that AI will not just take some jobs, it will take ALL the jobs and spirits company Dictador unveiling the very first AI-powered “robot CEO”. Watch this entire episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/96CgJHAkh1c.  Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how we can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
Most people are familiar by now with how AI can be used to accelerate work as diverse as software development and performing medical research. Much of this work takes place at the individual contributor level, or operational aspects of a business. What is lesser known, and what we believe we are on the cusp of understanding, is how AI can aid leaders in managing their companies at higher altitudes of business — such as operations, strategy, and ideology. This episode attempts to help understand that.  This week's panel features Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao proving a forward-looking view into the future of AI and how it will increasingly be applied to these higher altitudes. Then, Pete Buer speaks with Domenic Colasante, CEO of 2X, about how his B2B Marketing as a Service company has already started to take advantage of AI to accelerate their capabilities and services. And, in this week's news segment, Pete joins Courtney to talk about the Biden Administration's new AI-focused executive order. Watch this entire episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/nTVa4puQd6s  Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment Visit the 2X website: https://2x.marketing/ AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how they can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
Do you have the right data foundation in place today? Is your data accurate, accessible, and secure? And what other questions should executives be asking of your technology leaders to ensure you have the right data foundation in place for this transformational moment? In this episode, we answer all of those questions. First, our panel of David DeWolf, Mohan Rao, and Courtney Baker talk about the importance of having the right data foundation in place. After that, Pete Buer speaks with Airbnb's Mitesh Mangaonkar about the cornerstones of building a data foundation using AI. And, of course, Courtney and Pete run you through this week's news in AI. Watch this entire episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/aYadN_Y8dkM  Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how they can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
AI can fundamentally change the way that your business operates. With the right vision and planning, those changes to your business will translate into value for your customers. That's always good for business.  In this episode, we explore how leaders can identify value streams and then use AI to optimize them. First, the panel talks about how companies deliver value and unpack the concept of value streams. Then, Pete speaks with Gregory FCA Public Relations' Greg Matusky about his experience using AI to completely reimagine the way his PR company creates and delivers value. Finally, Courtney and Pete follow-up a bit of news from our first episode and taste test Coca-Cola Y3K - the AI-developed soda. Watch this entire episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/soLxLBkX64Q. Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how they can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
Many leaders view the AI transformation as an opportunity for the CTOs and CIOs of the world to drive strategy and implementation. While technologists certainly have a big part to play in determining how to get the most impact out of AI, this is really a time for non-technologists like Chief Human Resource Officers to make their mark in how AI is leveraged within their organizations. In this episode, Knownwell's David DeWolf talks about how CHRO's are uniquely qualified to become "Chief HumAIn Officers". Also, Compensation Tool's Justin Hampton talks about how AI is about to revolutionize HR. And, of course, we've got news with Pete Buer, and Courtney shares some AI-generated humor. Watch this entire episode on YouTube! https://youtu.be/_MOKNVbrWCg Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how they can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability.
The AI transformation that's upon us is impacting businesses of all shapes and sizes in profound ways, with even greater impacts on the horizon. One of the most profound ways AI will impact businesses is changing the focus of executives and company leaders from a growth-at-all-costs mentality to one where operational excellence, productivity, and efficiency rule the day. To help us understand all of this, Knownwell CEO David DeWolf joins Courtney Baker to share his thoughts around why this shift is happening at the perfect time, how the obsession with growth actually led us to this point of economic volatility, and why C-Suite leaders should be thinking about how to remove friction as they look to apply AI to drive operational excellence. Also, Pete Buer talks with Rubrik's Chief Revenue Officer Brian McCarthy about how Rubrik is helping companies like Home Depot shore up their approach to cybersecurity and data protection. They cover AI's role in driving productivity by keeping bad actors at bay and ensuring the data and information they provide to CISOs and info sec teams is actionable. Courtney also talks about an interest event in the world of self-driving cars. The video is here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kyAX28dapps And, Mohan Rao and Pete Buer cover two recent articles in the news. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/c8Ujkptu0hI Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how they can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability. For more about the AI Knowhow, visit www.knownwell.com/podcast.
We delve into the concerns of private equity leaders regarding AI use in their portfolio companies. Join Knownwell's David DeWolf, Courtney Baker, and Mohan Rao as they discuss who is best suited to spearhead AI initiatives in your organization. Lee Garber of NewSpring Capital stops by to talk with Pete Buer about where, on the metaphorical football field, he sees companies in terms of their ability to use AI technology to drive value. And, in the news segment, Courtney and Pete dig into stories about Generative AI and how AI is being used to improve efficiency, scheduling, operations, and productivity in the construction space. Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/umui78_Dt8o Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how they can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability. For more about the AI Knowhow, visit www.knownwell.com/podcast.
In a world brimming with questions about AI, which two stand out as the most crucial for business leaders? In this episode, the AI Knowhow team zeroes in on these pivotal questions, guiding executives on how to leverage AI's full potential for their businesses. Join Knownwell's Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, Mohan Rao, and Pete Buer as they tackle these two questions and dissect the week's AI headlines, translating them into actionable steps for the C-suite. Also, Pete sits down with Andre Yee. Andre founded the account-based marketing technology company Triblio, which he sold to IDG in 2021. He has also held successful leadership roles at several top technology companies, including Eloqua and Oracle. Connect with Andre on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreyee/ Take your free AI Readiness Assessment at https://knownwell.com/assessment. AI Knowhow is brought to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com to discover how they can help you harness the power of AI to boost profitability. For more about the AI Knowhow, visit www.knownwell.com/podcast.
Are you ready to lead your company into the future with confidence and foresight? In our first episode of AI Knowhow, we start to unravel all of the potential mysteries of adapting to our new AI era.  First, Host Courtney Baker is joined by Knownwell executives David DeWolf and Mohan Rao to talk about how to assess your organization's readiness for AI transformation in seven distinct areas. After that, AI and cybersecurity expert Andrew DeBerry speaks with Knownwell's Pete Buer about the importance of strategic leadership and utilizing unique data in adopting AI in businesses. Andrew also talks about how important it is for companies to prioritize ethics and transparency in order to navigate upcoming AI regulations effectively. Of course, at the top of the show, we have our rapid-fire news segment. And, at the end, we'll look back to the past to understand our future.  For more information on Andrew DeBerry, find him on LinkedIn at linkedin.com/in/deberry. AI Knowhow is presented to you by the team at Knownwell. Visit www.knownwell.com for more information about how they can help you leverage the power of AI to drive profitability. For more about the podcast, visit www.knownwell.com/podcasts.
AI Knowhow is a podcast tailor-made for business leaders navigating the transformative world of artificial intelligence. In this evolving landscape, adapting the way we steer our businesses is not just about maintaining a competitive edge, but also aligning our AI strategies with our core values and vision. Each week, Courtney Baker teams up with Knownwell executives David DeWolf, Mohan Rao, and Pete Buer to bring you dynamic, insightful, and actionable episodes that are crafted to assist executives in translating this groundbreaking technology into viable business solutions. Our mission is to aid you in maneuvering through this AI-centric world, offering guidance and clarity on the changing dynamics of the workspace. Every episode includes experts, scholars, and practitioners specializing in AI implementation and ethics. We also hear voices from diverse fields to present a rounded picture of the potential opportunities that AI brings to the table. And, of course, we also feature visionary executives who will share their success stories of using AI to revolutionize their businesses. Brought to you by the team at Knownwell: www.knownwell.com/podcast.