In this episode of the AI Automation Alchemist Podcast, Rey Ortega breaks down a busy day speaking at BizFest on Florida’s Space Coast, where small business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals gathered to learn practical ways to use artificial intelligence.

Rey shares the five quick AI wins he presented at the event, including writing faster emails, creating short-form video scripts, building a reusable prompt library, reviewing contracts and RFPs with AI, and generating graphics or brand imagery. He also dives into deeper conversations from the event’s AI roundtable, including agentic AI, automation triggers, AI agents, cron jobs, webhooks, and why many business owners still hit a wall when trying to use AI beyond basic prompting.

This episode also covers Rey’s “train track theory,” explaining why companies like OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and X own the foundational AI models while many startups are simply building “trains” on top of those tracks. Rey also gives his honest take on whether AI will replace people, why human oversight still matters, and how small businesses can start using AI without getting lost in the hype.

If you’re a small business owner, entrepreneur, consultant, or operator trying to understand how AI and automation can actually help your business, this episode will give you practical ideas and a clearer framework.

Learn more about Grata Software:
https://gratasoftware.com

Learn more about Digital Strike:
https://godigitalstrike.com

00:00 Introduction: A busy day at BizFest

01:20 About Grata Software and small business automation

04:00 What BizFest is and why SCORE matters

06:30 Speaking to small business owners about AI

08:45 The challenge of explaining AI as a software engineer

10:30 Getting cut short during the presentation

12:15 AI quick win #1: Writing faster emails

13:25 AI quick win #2: Creating short-form video content

14:50 AI quick win #3: Building a reusable prompt guide

15:55 AI quick win #4: Reviewing contracts and RFPs

17:45 Why every business needs a brand voice document

18:55 AI quick win #5: Images, graphics, and professional branding

19:51 The AI roundtable discussion

22:20 Questions about AI agents and automation

24:00 What AI agents really are

26:10 Why agentic AI still confuses many business owners

28:00 The WordPress comparison: simple tools become complex

30:00 Will AI replace people?

32:30 Why human-in-the-loop still matters

34:00 The “AI won’t replace you…” conversation

35:00 Rey’s train track theory for AI companies

37:30 Why AI wrappers are vulnerable

39:30 Cursor, Composer, and owning the coding train track

41:30 Digital Strike: AI consulting and training for small businesses

43:10 LATAM event and international AI opportunities

46:00 How to connect and become a podcast guest

47:30 Closing thoughts on AI and automation

#AIForBusiness #SmallBusinessAutomation #ArtificialIntelligence #AIAutomation #AIAgents #Entrepreneurship #GrataSoftware #DigitalStrike #PromptEngineering #BusinessGrowth

AI is moving fast, but most people are still stuck at the starting line.

In this episode of the AI Automation Alchemist Podcast, Rey Ortega sits down with Max Kyllonen for a deep conversation about where AI is really headed, why most business owners are overwhelmed by it, and why the future may not be about better prompts… but better intentions.

We talk about:

• Why AI feels “alien” to most people
• The problem with basic prompt engineering
• Why Max believes “intentioneering” is the next major AI skill
• Claude vs. ChatGPT vs. Grok
• How AI changes marketing, software, business, and decision-making
• Why humans still matter in AI systems
• The real danger of optimizing AI for the wrong outcome
• How business owners can start using AI without getting overwhelmed

Max also breaks down why he teaches AI from a relationship and personality perspective first, because when AI feels like a true collaborator, people start using it differently.

If you are a business owner, entrepreneur, marketer, engineer, or just trying to understand how AI fits into your future, this conversation is for you.

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/a_real_max_k/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/max.kyllonen
Website: https://www.maxoutloud.com/
COYOU AI: https://www.coyou.ai/

Grata Software: https://www.gratasoftware.com/
Digital Strike: https://godigitalstrike.com/

00:00 Intro
00:52 Why everyone is talking about AI
01:48 Why AI feels amorphous and hard to explain
06:07 Why Max starts AI training with pen and paper
07:05 Building AI-powered marketing systems
10:04 How few people are really using AI deeply
14:00 Why AI adoption is different from the internet
17:09 Will AI create massive unemployment?
20:14 The dangerous middle period of AI disruption
27:19 Why AI may never become fully autonomous
32:40 Why intention matters more than tools
34:00 AI and the prisoner’s dilemma
36:04 Using AI as a collaborator
40:20 Max’s AI training framework
41:36 ADHD, associative thinking, and AI
47:52 The moment AI copywriting changed everything
50:26 Claude, Sonnet, Opus, and model selection
57:39 Using Grok for brainstorming
58:26 Intention defines context
01:01:16 Where intentioneering is going
01:06:49 Open-source models and local AI
01:12:10 Hybrid AI systems and local models
01:15:20 Why your intention is the real unlock
01:17:42 Where to find Max

#AI #ArtificialIntelligence #AIAutomation #PromptEngineering #ClaudeAI #ChatGPT #GrokAI #Entrepreneurship #BusinessAutomation #MarketingAutomation #FutureOfWork #AIForBusiness #SmallBusinessAI #Intentioneering #AIAgents

In this episode, Rey Ortega interviews Rob Wright, a member of Waffle, a company that leverages artificial intelligence for small businesses. They discuss the challenges and opportunities in the AI industry, the distinction between AI and automation, and the impact of AI on various business functions. The conversation covers a wide range of topics related to AI, token usage, and the impact of AI on small businesses. It delves into the challenges and opportunities of AI adoption, as well as the complexities of token usage and pricing models. The discussion also explores the role of AI in small business growth and the need for a deeper understanding of AI's capabilities and limitations.

Takeaways

• AI and automation are not synonymous; using AI does not guarantee a competitive advantage.
• The Dunning-Kruger effect highlights the challenge of accurately assessing one's own skills and knowledge in the AI industry. Token usage and pricing models are critical considerations for businesses leveraging AI.
• AI adoption in small businesses presents both challenges and opportunities.
• Understanding the capabilities and limitations of AI is essential for leveraging it effectively in business growth.

sound bites

"AI and automation are not the same thing"

"Show your expertise, not just use AI tools"

"Leverage AI to level up small businesses"

resources

GoWaffle - https://gowaffle.com

OpenClaw - https://github.com/openclaw

Perplexity - https://perplexity.ai

Claude AI - https://www.anthropic.com

Cursor - https://cursor.com

guest links

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/rob-wright

Website - https://gowaffle.com

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI and Waffle

02:14 The Evolution of Waffle and AI Integration

04:45 Understanding AI vs Automation

10:08 The Dunning-Kruger Effect in AI Consulting

11:46 Evaluating AI Expertise and Influencers

18:58 Context Windows and AI Performance

21:12 Swarm Agents in AI Development

23:36 OpenClaw and Its Impact on AI Tools

27:45 Integrating AI Skills for Business Automation

30:14 Challenges with Token Usage in AI Tools

34:59 Pricing Models and Token Economics

39:59 Navigating the Wild West of AI Adoption

48:31 The Future of AI in Business Strategy

51:37 NEWCHAPTER

The conversation covers the challenges faced by small businesses, the journey of Grata Software, the importance of automation and AI, the promise of Perplexity, the challenges of podcasting and AI automation, the evolution of technology in business, the complexity of new tools and technologies, the power of Perplexity in research and analysis, and an exploration of the Perplexity interface and features. The conversation delves into the capabilities of AI and agentic systems, highlighting their ability to perform complex tasks and automate processes. It also emphasizes the importance of personalization and customization in AI usage, showcasing the need for tailored solutions to specific business needs.

Takeaways

• Small business challenges
• AI automation and optimization
• Perplexity and its features AI and agentic systems perform complex tasks
• Personalization and customization are key in AI usage

Chapters

• 00:00 Introduction to Digital Strike Hub
• 15:51 The Evolution of Technology in Business
• 28:18 Exploring the Perplexity Interface and Features
• 50:18 AI and Agentic Systems
• 56:07 Personalization and Customization

AI is everywhere right now, but what actually works in business and what is just hype?

In this episode, Kyler Cheatham breaks down the reality of AI and automation in both enterprise and small business settings. He shares why so many companies get distracted by flashy promises, where AI can create real value, and what business owners need to watch out for when adopting new tools.

This conversation covers the biggest myths around AI, the risks tied to cybersecurity and contracts, the limitations of AI agents, and why strategic implementation matters more than chasing trends. Kyler also explains how businesses can focus on speed to value, avoid overpriced software, and make better technology decisions that actually support growth.

If you want a practical look at AI, automation, business strategy, and implementation risks, this episode gives you a grounded perspective without the hype.

• The truth about AI and automation in business
• Common myths and misconceptions around implementation
• Why strategy matters more than trend-chasing
• Risks involving cybersecurity, contracts, and SaaS tools
• AI agents and where they fall short
• Small business automation challenges
• How to focus on speed to value
• Choosing the right technology for real business outcomes

Kyler Cheatham

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@kylercheatham
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kylercheatham
Website: https://confluential.com/

#AI #Automation #BusinessStrategy #ArtificialIntelligence #Cybersecurity #SmallBusiness #EnterpriseTechnology #AIAgents #TechImplementation #BusinessGrowth

Are you a small business owner overwhelmed with daily tasks? Discover how to work smarter, not harder, by effectively using AI tools like Claude to streamline your operations and focus on growth!

In this video, we dive deep into the capabilities of Claude and how it can transform your daily workflow. Here’s what we cover:

Key Points:

• Understanding the Difference (0:00): The crucial distinction between working in your business versus on your business.
• Introduction to Claude (2:10): An overview of Claude and what makes it a powerful business tool.
• Three Major Ways Claude Can Help Your Business (5:45):
• Task Automation: How Claude can take over repetitive tasks like email sorting and summarization.
• Data Synthesis: Learn how Claude can pull together information from multiple sources to create insightful reports.
• Marketing Consistency: Utilizing Claude to maintain a consistent marketing message and customer engagement.
• Real-Life Applications (12:30): Examples showcasing how Claude has been implemented in various business scenarios, including customer inquiries and document creation.
• Best Practices for Using Claude (18:40): Tips on how to set up and maximize Claude’s features for your specific business needs.
• Watch the Interface in Action (22:15): A live demonstration of Claude’s interface and how to navigate its features effectively.

You will learn how to harness the power of AI to automate mundane tasks, synthesize data for better decision-making, and create a seamless marketing strategy that reflects your brand's voice. By the end of this video, you’ll be equipped with actionable insights to enhance your business efficiency and focus on what truly matters, growing your business.

Join us as we explore Claude, the AI tool designed to save you time, energy, and money while keeping your business running smoothly. Don’t forget to like this video, subscribe for more insights, and share your thoughts in the comments below!

If you found this video helpful, please hit the thumbs up, subscribe for more content, and leave a comment with any questions or topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes!

#SmallBusiness #AI #Claude #BusinessAutomation #Efficiency

In this episode, I show how I actually use ChatGPT to run my business: settings, models, custom GPTs, and Projects.

Then we do a live demo: I ask ChatGPT to write the prompt, and we generate an ad image from 2 photos.

ChatGPT updates constantly. New models, new features, new hype cycles.

But the real advantage isn’t the latest update — it’s how you use the tool.

In this episode, I walk you through my real ChatGPT workflow:

• Free vs Plus plan (and why I use Plus)
• The settings that matter (personalization + memory)
• Model selection (thinking vs instant)
• Uploading files/images for better context
• Custom GPTs (shareable) vs Projects (internal)
• How I build a business GPT (Customer Avatar Finder)
• My favorite trick: ask ChatGPT to write the prompt
• Live demo: combine two photos into a photorealistic ad image

Sponsored by:

• Grata Software — custom AI + automation for small businesses
• Digital Strike — DIY training for AI + automation

Comment what you want me to show next:
Lead gen, sales follow-up, customer avatars, offers, or automations.

00:00 We’re finally using tools (ChatGPT)
01:10 AI hype cycles & why strategy matters
04:37 ChatGPT plans: Free vs Plus
06:58 Personalization settings
09:27 Why I keep Memory OFF
11:47 Data controls + privacy reality
14:11 Protecting data (local models)
15:00 Models: thinking vs instant + training dates
16:33 RAG explained in plain English
18:56 Files, context windows, and uploads
21:13 Agent mode warning
23:35 Sidebar: chats, images, apps, codex
25:51 Custom GPTs vs Projects
30:25 Why ChatGPT changed business research forever
32:42 Building a Custom GPT (Avatar Finder)
35:06 Knowledge base “secret sauce”
37:29 Projects example (travel budget)
39:53 Ask AI to write the prompt (pro move)
44:25 Live image generation results
46:44 CTA + next episode

#ChatGPT #AI #Automation #SmallBusiness #Marketing

Most people don’t understand how AI actually works — and that’s okay.

In this episode, I explain Large Language Models using a simple story anyone can understand.

Neural networks, transformers, hallucinations, and RAG are usually explained with math, code, and diagrams that look like spider webs.

So I did something different.

In this bonus episode of the AI Automation Alchemist podcast, I use a simple story — a flat tire and a cocktail party — to explain:

• How Large Language Models actually work
• What input layers and hidden nodes really do
• Why AI hallucinates
• How transformers keep context intact
• How Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) injects facts
• Why AI feels intelligent without “thinking”

No code. No math. No hype.

If you’ve ever nodded along pretending to understand neural networks — this episode is for you.

Sponsored by:

• Grata Software — custom AI & automation
• Digital Strike Hub — learn AI the right way

#ChatGPT #LLM #ArtificialIntelligence #AIExplained #Automation

ChatGPT isn’t thinking — it’s calculating probabilities.
In this episode, I explain how Large Language Models actually work, in plain English.

Most people use ChatGPT daily without understanding what it’s actually doing.

In this episode of the AI Automation Alchemist podcast, I break down:

• What Large Language Models (LLMs) are
• How neural networks work (simplified)
• What transformers actually do
• Why context matters more than prompts
• Why AI feels intelligent without “thinking”

This is not hype, not marketing, and not theory — it’s a practical explanation for business owners and builders who want to use AI correctly.

00:00 What this episode covers
00:45 Why I used Notebook LM
02:10 What a Large Language Model is
03:15 Neural networks (simplified)
04:40 Hidden nodes & parallel processing
06:00 Transformers & context
07:40 Why words mean different things
09:00 Why AI feels intelligent
10:15 The simplified explanation epiphany

Resources & Links:

• Notebook LM
• Grata Software
• Digital Strike

Connect with Rey Ortega:

• LinkedIn
• X/Twitter
  

#ChatGPT #LLM #ArtificialIntelligence #AIExplained #Automation

Next week we go tactical: AI tools that help you find customers, target them, message them, and convert them.

This week we talked about AI hype, conferences, and the wild claims people make about “AI expertise.”
Now we’re moving forward.

Next week’s episodes focus on tactical AI tools for business owners, especially:

• How to identify the right customers (demographics + psychographics)
• How to craft an offer that speaks to them
• How to message them on social and email
• What tools to use (and which are a waste)
• How to control tool costs and ensure 10x ROI

Sponsored by:

• Grata Software — custom AI + automation for small businesses
• Digital Strike — DIY training community for AI + automation

Drop a comment with the #1 thing you want AI to help you with:

Lead gen, sales, content, ops, or customer support.

00:00 This week recap: AI hype + misinformation
01:10 Disclaimer: marketers still help beginners
02:20 Sponsors: Grata Software + Digital Strike
03:00 Next week: tactical AI tools for business growth
04:10 Customer acquisition: who to target + why
05:10 Tool cost problem + how to think ROI
06:10 The 30-day podcast challenge + why I’m doing this
07:10 What topics do you want next?

#AI #Automation #SmallBusiness #Marketing #CustomerAcquisition