AI InterConnect Podcast

In this episode, Laurent Cochet interviews Mar Sneeg, founder of Ground Game Sales, about how AI is transforming sales organizations. They explore the evolution of AI in sales, building with AI tools, and strategies for integrating AI into sales teams to improve performance and reduce costs.

key topics

Evolution of AI in sales from cold calling to AI-powered prospecting

Building with AI: tools, platforms, and strategies

AI coaching and real-time feedback for sales reps

Cost reduction and efficiency in global sales teams

Using intent signals and data for better prospect targeting

Rapid prototyping and implementation of AI solutions

The importance of human judgment in AI-driven sales

Future trends in AI and sales infrastructure

sound bites

"AI should improve human performance, not replace it"

"You need to learn how to build with these tools"

"AI coaching provides immediate, actionable feedback"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and guest Marc Sneeg

00:27 The evolution of Ground Game from cold calling to AI integration

01:02 Mark's background in real estate and sales

01:27 How Ground Game started and its focus on outbound sales

02:20 The shift towards AI and building with AI tools

04:02 Developing AI tools for prospect context and coaching

06:00 Putting humans at the center of AI in sales

07:26 Building roadmaps and prioritizing AI projects

08:04 Preparing salespeople with AI-driven prospect insights

09:37 The role of volume and quality in outbound sales

12:32 Using intent signals and signals for outreach timing

15:57 AI coaching and understanding why some convert

18:50 AI's impact on sales team economics and structure

22:08 The future of offshoring and global sales teams

23:49 Skills needed for sales roles in the AI era

24:10 Building AI roadmaps and identifying organizational pain points

26:48 Prioritizing AI projects with quick prototypes

28:17 The role of real-life interactions and AI infrastructure

30:24 Preparing for AI integration in future sales organizations

33:14 Closing remarks and where to find more about Ground Game Sales

keywords

AI in sales, sales automation, AI tools, sales team building, AI strategy, ground game sales, sales coaching, prospect intelligence, AI implementation, sales performance, AI for B2B sales, AI sales automation, B2B sales automation, B2B sales, outbound sales, outbound sales strategy, AI SDR, AI SDR tools, sales development representatives, future of SDRs, AI sales coaching, sales intelligence, intent signals, buyer intent data, B2B lead generation, enterprise lead generation, sales prospecting, cold calling, cold email, human AI collaboration,

#AIInterConnect, #Podcast, #MarcSnegg, #GroundGameSales, #GroundGame, #GameTimeAI, #B2BSales, #Sales, #SalesLeadership, #SalesTechnology, #SalesTech, #SalesAutomation, #AISales, #AIForSales, #AISalesAutomation, #AIForB2BSales, #ArtificialIntelligence, #EnterpriseAI, #AIImplementation, #AIAdoption, #SalesIntelligence, #IntentSignals, #BuyerIntent, #LeadGeneration, #B2BLeadGeneration, #OutboundSales,

Marc Snegg, Founder & CEO of Ground Game Sales, joins AI InterConnect to explore whether AI will replace SDRs—or make human sales teams dramatically more effective.

Marc explains how Ground Game combines AI-powered prospect intelligence, intent signals, cold calling, global sales teams, and its GameTime AI coaching platform to improve B2B sales performance. He shares why better account intelligence can help salespeople reach the right buyer at the right moment, how AI can analyze calls and provide immediate coaching, and why human conversations remain critical as automated outreach creates more digital noise.

The conversation also explores AI implementation, global talent, sales automation, and why real-world human relationships could become even more valuable as AI becomes standard business infrastructure.

Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and AI leaders building the future of B2B growth.

In this episode, Steve Carnevale from Blue Ash Ventures discusses the intersection of AI, brain health, and human performance. He explores the risks of AI-driven systems prioritizing financial returns over human needs, the importance of human-centered AI, and the future of venture capital in AI innovation.

key topics

AI's impact on healthcare and brain health

The importance of human-centered AI

Venture capital's role in AI development

Neuroscience insights into dyslexia and brain performance

The risks of AI prioritizing financial returns over human needs

sound bites

"We are born with different brains, but society isn't organized around that"

"AI is sucking the wind out of healthcare investment"

"Prioritize human return over financial gain"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the episode and guest

02:25 Understanding dyslexia through neuroscience

03:21 The golden age of neuroscience and new discoveries

04:17 The importance of organizing society around brain health

05:30 Blue Ash Ventures' mission and focus on brain flourishing

07:29 Using AI to measure social emotional capabilities in children

09:42 The decline of social emotional skills and AI's role in addressing it

11:30 Concerns about AI funding and its influence on healthcare

13:19 AI's economic impact and the need for human-centered systems

16:45 What human-centered AI means and its importance

18:58 The urgency of creating AI layers that serve human needs

20:23 The risk of AI systems controlling society and the need for regulation

23:39 Distinguishing durable AI companies from fleeting apps

26:26 Privacy concerns and opportunities in AI development

28:42 The future of employment and AI's role in work organization

29:47 Reflections on the venture capital industry's understanding of AI

32:28 The impact of AI on employment and education

33:09 Optimism about AI and brain science advancements

33:55 Key message: Prioritizing human return over financial gain

36:30 Closing remarks and contact information

keywords

AI, brain health, human performance, venture capital, human-centered AI, neuroscience, healthcare, social emotional learning, AI regulation, impact investing, Steve Carnevale, Blue Ash Ventures, AI venture capital, artificial intelligence, venture capital, AI investment, human centered AI, human-centered AI, AI and healthcare, healthcare innovation, brain health, brain capital, neuroscience, AI and neuroscience, impact investing, future of venture capital, AI funding, AI investment bubble, AI and society, AI and jobs, future of work,

#AIInterConnect, #SteveCarnevale, #BlueAshVentures, #Podcast, #AIPodcast, #ArtificialIntelligence, #AI, #VentureCapital, #VentureCapitalist, #AIInvestment, #AIFunding, #FutureOfAI, #HumanCenteredAI, #ResponsibleAI, #EthicalAI, #AIInnovation, #ImpactInvesting, #BrainHealth, #BrainCapital, #Neuroscience, #AIandHealthcare, #HealthcareInnovation, #MentalHealth, #MentalHealthTechnology, #HumanPotential, #FutureOfWork, #AIandJobs, #WorkforceTransformation,

Steve Carnevale, Founding Partner at Blue Ash Ventures, joins AI InterConnect to challenge one of the biggest assumptions behind today's AI investment boom: what happens when AI starts "sucking the wind out of everything"?

Steve explores how venture capital's pursuit of AI returns could divert funding from healthcare and other critical innovation, while explaining why the future needs human-centered AI designed around human outcomes. Drawing on his work across venture capital, neuroscience, brain health, education and workforce development, he discusses AI's impact on jobs, skills, privacy and human potential.

We also explore why founders must remain "maniacally focused on the customer," why narrow AI point solutions may struggle, and why Steve believes human return on capital matters more than financial return alone.

Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders, investors and leaders building the future.

In this episode, Aanal Shah, founder and CEO of Zillion InfoTech, shares insights on building a tech company focused on business-first solutions, the role of AI in software development, and strategies for scaling and maintaining client relationships.

key topics

Business-first approach to software development

The importance of understanding business problems before building solutions

Integrating AI effectively without unnecessary costs

Scaling challenges and architecture decisions in tech companies

Building long-term client relationships and strategic growth

takeaways

Start with understanding the actual business problem before proposing a solution.

Add AI only when it provides clear benefits in terms of cost, time, or effort.

Focus on architecture from day one to enable scalable growth.

Balance new feature development with solving existing issues.

Build long-term relationships with clients as strategic partners.

sound bites

"Start with the actual business problem first"

"Add automation, not necessarily AI"

"Add AI only when beneficial for the business"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and guest introduction

00:27 Guest background and the origin story of Zillion InfoTech

01:45 Transition from technical expertise to business problem solving

04:22 The importance of understanding business before building software

05:11 Approach to AI integration based on actual business needs

07:00 Case study: Claim Cow SaaS application and AI use cases

09:22 Types of businesses that benefit most from Zillion's services

10:39 Challenges in scaling and architecture decisions

13:42 Balancing new features with solving existing issues

14:45 The realities of running a tech company and ongoing responsibilities

19:36 Future goals and strategic focus for Zillion

22:09 Prioritized markets and industry focus

23:15 What to do with unlimited resources

24:23 Advice for businesses starting with AI

26:29 Questions to ask a technology partner

keywords

AI, software development, business solutions, startup, scaling, client relationships, AI integration, tech strategy, AI adoption, AI implementation, AI vs automation, AI for business, business automation, artificial intelligence for business, custom software development, AI software development, software architecture, scalable software architecture, enterprise AI, AI strategy, digital transformation, business process automation, AI business value, AI ROI, technology partner,

#AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #AanalShah, #ZillionInfotech, #Podcast #ArtificialIntelligence, #AI, #AIAdoption, #AIImplementation, #AIvsAutomation, #Automation, #BusinessAutomation, #EnterpriseAI, #AIForBusiness, #AIStrategy, #AIBusinessValue, #AIROI, #CustomSoftware, #SoftwareDevelopment, #SoftwareArchitecture, #SaaS, #SaaSDevelopment, #DigitalTransformation, #BusinessTechnology, #ScalableSoftware, #StartupTechnology, #BusinessGrowth, #TechFounder, #FounderJourney, #Entrepreneurship,

#FinTech, #AIinHealthcare, #HealthTech, #AIinEcommerce, #EcommerceTechnology,

Aanal Shah, Founder & CEO of Zillion Infotech, joins AI InterConnect to explore a critical business question: when should companies use AI, and when is automation or traditional software actually the better solution?

Aanal explains why businesses should understand the problem before choosing the technology, how to measure whether AI creates real value, and why scalable software architecture remains essential even as AI makes development faster. He also shares lessons from building Zillion Infotech and explains the difference between simply providing software and becoming a long-term technology partner.

The conversation covers AI adoption, AI vs automation, custom software development, scalable architecture, AI ROI, Healthcare, FinTech, E-commerce, and practical technology strategy.

Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and technology leaders building practical AI and business solutions.

In this episode, Dvir Ginzburg, CEO of Encore, shares insights on how AI is transforming customer interactions in financial services, emphasizing revenue generation over traditional metrics like deflection rates. Discover how generative AI can create personalized, revenue-driving customer journeys and the future of conversational banking.

key topics

AI's role in financial services

Revenue generation vs. deflection rate

Complex customer interactions in banking

Regulatory impact on AI adoption

Future of conversational banking

takeaways

Measuring AI success by revenue, not deflection rate

Personalized AI agents can mimic personal bankers

Regulations like EU AI Act help move the industry forward

Customer trust in AI is increasing, especially among younger users

Building the right team is crucial for AI startup success

Titles

Revolutionizing Banking with Revenue-Driven AI

How Encore Uses AI to Transform Customer Journeys

sound bites

"Measuring AI by revenue, not deflection"

"Good conversations are high revenue, not just deflection"

"The shift to a fully conversational experience"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Dvir Ginzburg and Encore

2166:36:21 Dvir's background in conversational AI at Microsoft and Facebook

5527:43:06 The importance of complex interactions in banking

7749:56:35 Why traditional customer interactions in banking are outdated

13194:23:29 Measuring AI success by revenue, not deflection rate

19333:17:07 The shift to a fully conversational banking experience

349444:24:43 Regulatory changes and their impact on AI in finance

365277:44:48 The future of holistic, conversational financial services

391388:51:38 Customer expectations as AI becomes more common

433333:18:37 Success metrics and scaling at Encore

496111:05:52 Resources needed to accelerate AI adoption

555277:46:35 Lessons learned from entrepreneurship and building teams

571111:06:40 Personal insights from Dvir about leadership and failure

keywords

AI, financial services, customer experience, revenue generation, conversational AI, fintech, generative AI, digital banking, AI regulation, Dvir Ginzburg, Encore AI, AI InterConnect, AI in banking, AI in fintech, AI for financial services, enterprise AI, conversational AI, AI agents, AI agents for banking, generative AI, revenue generating AI, revenue per interaction, conversational banking, digital banking, banking automation, financial services AI, customer experience AI, AI customer service, AI sales automation, banking innovation, fintech innovation, enterprise AI adoption,

#AIInterConnect, #DvirGinzburg, #EncoreAI, #Podcast, #AIPodcast, #FinTech, #FinTechAI, #EnterpriseAI, #ConversationalAI, #GenerativeAI, #GenAI, #AIAgents, #AIAgentsForBusiness, #AIinBanking, #BankingAI, #AIinFinTech, #FinancialServicesAI, #AIforFinancialServices, #ConversationalBanking, #DigitalBanking, #FutureOfBanking, #BankingInnovation, #FinTechInnovation,

Dvir Ginzburg, Founder and CEO of Encore AI, joins AI InterConnect to explain why financial institutions should stop thinking about AI only as a cost-reduction tool and start measuring how AI generates revenue.

Dvir shares how conversational AI and digital agents can guide customers through complex financial journeys, improve conversion, and create experiences closer to working with a personal banker. He explains why traditional metrics such as call deflection can hide poor customer experiences and why revenue per interaction offers a very different way to measure AI performance.

We also explore AI adoption inside regulated financial institutions, build versus buy decisions, conversational banking, changing customer expectations, and Dvir's vision for a future where one AI-powered conversation could become the primary interface between customers and their bank.

Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and leaders building the future of AI and business.

Tahir Rauf, co-founder of Keeyu, shares insights into building AI agents for e-commerce, focusing on proactive problem resolution, trust, and scaling internationally.

key topics

The personal journey of Tahir Rauf and how it influenced Keeyu´s mission

The problem Keeyu solves in e-commerce: fragmented systems and customer dissatisfaction

The concept of proactive customer care and its benefits

The four principles for building reliable AI agents: context, boundaries, escalation, accountability

Challenges and strategies for scaling AI solutions internationally

The importance of data governance and sovereignty in enterprise AI

The shift from traditional SaaS to AI-driven platforms

The future of agentic AI in various industries and workflows

Lessons learned from building and scaling Keeyu

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tahir Rauf and Keeyu

03:23 Understanding Keeyu´s E-commerce Problem

04:07 How Keeyu's AI Agent Addresses Fragmented Systems

06:00 When Do Retailers Need Keeyu?

06:46 Proactive vs Reactive Customer Care

08:37 Building Trust in AI Agents

09:06 Four Principles of Reliable AI Systems

12:04 The Human Role in AI-Driven E-commerce

13:54 Scaling from Small Retailers to Enterprises

16:36 Challenges of International Expansion

18:07 The Most Underappreciated AI Use Cases

19:24 Governance and Data Sovereignty in AI

21:44 The Future of SaaS and AI Integration

22:22 Goals for Keeyu in the Next 12-18 Months

24:27 Expanding into Enterprise Markets

25:53 The Impact of AI on Tech Resources

26:27 Focusing on Impactful Features

27:59 Advice for Funders and Operators

29:24 Lessons Learned from Building Keeyu

31:19 Closing Remarks and Contact Info

keywords

AI agents, e-commerce, proactive customer care, data integrity, enterprise AI, scaling AI, AI governance, agentic systems, AI infrastructure, startup growth, AI agents for business, vertical AI agents, agentic AI, enterprise AI, AI automation, ecommerce AI, ecommerce automation, proactive ecommerce operations, future of SaaS, AI replacing SaaS, enterprise AI agents, AI agents ecommerce, human in the loop AI, autonomous AI agents, AI agent governance, enterprise AI governance, AI implementation, AI adoption, AI workflow automation, ecommerce operations, post purchase automation, customer experience automation, proactive customer care, AI agents vs SaaS, vertical AI, Tahir Rauf, Keeyu, ecommerce technology, AI InterConnect, future of enterprise software

#AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #Podcast, #TahirRauf, #Keeyu, #AgenticAI, #AIAgents, #AIAgentsForBusiness, #VerticalAI, #EnterpriseAI, #EcommerceAI, #AIinEcommerce, #EcommerceAutomation, #EcommerceTechnology, #EcommerceOperations, #ProactiveEcommerce, #ProactiveCustomerCare, #PostPurchase, #PostPurchaseExperience, #CustomerExperience, #CustomerExperienceAI, #AIAutomation, #WorkflowAutomation, #AutonomousAI, #HumanInTheLoop, #AIGovernance, #EnterpriseAIGovernance, #AIAdoption, #AIImplementation, #SaaS, #FutureOfSaaS, #EnterpriseSoftware, #FutureOfSoftware, #AIForBusiness, #BusinessAutomation, #RetailTechnology, #RetailAI,

Tahir Rauf, Co-Founder and CTO of Keeyu, joins AI InterConnect to explore why vertical AI agents could reshape e-commerce operations and challenge traditional SaaS.

Tahir explains how Keeyu uses agentic AI to detect and resolve post-purchase problems before customers complain, and why trustworthy enterprise AI requires four foundations: context, boundaries, human escalation, and accountability. He also shares how companies can progressively move from human-in-the-loop workflows toward greater AI autonomy while protecting sensitive customer data.

The conversation explores enterprise AI governance, proactive e-commerce operations, the future of SaaS, AI-powered software development, and why founders should focus on real customer problems before building more features.

Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and technology leaders building practical AI systems for real businesses.

In this episode, Laurent Cochet interviews Shivi Sharma, co-founder and president of Kaaj.ai an AI-powered underwriting platform, about how AI is transforming financial services, especially in credit risk analysis and underwriting. They explore the practical applications, challenges, and future potential of AI in high-stakes financial decision-making.

key topics

AI's role in credit underwriting

How Kaaj simplifies loan processing

Balancing AI automation with human judgment

Building trust and transparency in AI models

Scaling AI solutions in financial institutions

Challenges in AI adoption for high-stakes decisions

Market education and customer trust in AI products

Future opportunities in small business lending

sound bites

"AI should help organize workflows, not replace judgment"

"Garbage in, garbage out in AI models"

"AI gives leverage, not job replacement"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to AI Interconnect and Guest

00:29 Guest background and journey into AI

01:29 Shivi's experience in credit and fraud risk

02:14 Understanding the problem Kaaj solves in lending

03:16 How Kaj simplifies the loan application process

04:40 The human role in underwriting with Kaaj

06:47 Where AI can automate and where human judgment is essential

08:14 Building trust and evidence-backed AI analysis

10:40 Scaling challenges and market education

12:09 The importance of trust and customer relationships

15:40 Market misconceptions about AI in finance

16:00 The importance of data quality and infrastructure

17:07 AI's role in improving economics of small loans

20:22 Next steps and deeper customer engagement

22:33 Expanding into other lending segments

23:45 Key constraints and hiring challenges

26:41 High-stakes AI and the need for caution

27:50 Lessons learned and underestimations

28:24 Advice to younger self and startup founders

29:45 Closing remarks and contact information

keywords

AI in finance, underwriting, credit risk, financial technology, AI adoption, risk analysis, fintech innovation, AI trust, small business loans, AI scaling, AI underwriting, underwriting automation, AI in financial services, AI in fintech, SMB lending, small business lending, equipment finance, credit risk, credit risk automation, automated underwriting, human judgment in AI, AI lending, commercial lending, lending operations, financial services AI, AI credit analysis, credit underwriting, underwriting technology, lending technology, AI adoption , Shivi Sharma, Kaaj.ai,

#AIInterConnect, #AIInterConnectPodcast, #Podcast, #ShiviSharma, #Kaaj, #KaajAI, #FinTech, #FinTechPodcast, #AIUnderwriting, #Underwriting, #UnderwritingAutomation, #AutomatedUnderwriting, #AIinFinTech, #AIinFinancialServices, #FinancialServicesAI, #SMBLending, #SmallBusinessLending, #EquipmentFinance, #CommercialLending, #CreditRisk, #CreditRiskManagement, #CreditAnalysis, #CreditUnderwriting, #LendingAutomation, #LendingTechnology, #FinTechInnovation, #ArtificialIntelligence, #EnterpriseAI, #AIAdoption, #HumanCenteredAI, #ResponsibleAI, #ExplainableAI, #FutureOfLending, #FutureOfUnderwriting, #DigitalLending, #LoanAutomation, #LendingOperations, #SmallBusinessFinance, #AIForBusiness, #FinancialTechnology,

Shivi Sharma, Co-Founder & President of Kaaj.ai, joins AI InterConnect to explore how AI underwriting can make SMB lending faster and more efficient without removing human judgment from credit decisions.

Shivi explains how Kaaj uses AI to analyze borrower documents, identify inconsistencies, organize evidence and prepare information for underwriters. She discusses why trust and explainability matter in financial services AI, why buyers care about business outcomes rather than AI itself, and how automation can help lenders scale without proportional headcount growth. She also explores how better underwriting economics could make smaller commercial loans more attractive to lenders.

Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and operators building practical AI businesses.

Omar Palaming shares his journey through technology, emphasizing the importance of understanding people and purpose behind digital transformation. The discussion covers how organizations can leverage technology to improve identity, governance, and inclusion, especially in the context of AI and digital transformation in the Philippines.

key topics

The importance of understanding the purpose behind technology

How digital space is another world for organizations

The role of AI in future business solutions

Challenges of scaling digital transformation in the Philippines

The significance of governance and affordability in technology

takeaways

Technology is deeply connected to human purpose and identity.

Digital space is an extension of the real world, not just technology.

Custom applications will be central to future business solutions.

Governance in digital transformation should focus on affordability and accessibility.

Building digital skills and understanding is crucial for national development.

sound bites

"Custom applications will be the future."

"Technology should be taught, not overly regulated."

"Solve problems with simple questions and actions."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Omar Palaming and Phil IT

01:32 Omar's journey from electronics to digital transformation

03:07 Teaching technology to the masses with analogies

04:22 The breadth of problems Phil IT addresses

05:03 Organizational identity in the digital age

06:38 Digital space as another world for organizations

08:20 The importance of customization and AI in future solutions

10:00 Challenges of scaling digital transformation in the Philippines

14:41 AI adoption and security concerns

17:31 Future goals for Phil IT and digital inclusion

21:20 What makes building Phil IT worthwhile

22:34 Advice for leaders on leveraging technology effectively

keywords

Digital Transformation, AI, Cybersecurity, Custom Software, Business Automation, Philippines, Technology Leadership, Digital Inclusion, AI transformation, digital transformation, AI adoption, enterprise AI, AI implementation, business automation, custom software, digital transformation strategy, technology governance, AI governance, human centered AI, AI and human identity, future of AI, business technology, technology leadership, digital transformation Philippines, artificial intelligence Philippines, financial inclusion technology, digital financial inclusion, open source technology, custom application development, PhilIT, PhilIT System Design Solutions, Omar Palaming, AI InterConnect,

#AIInterConnect, #OmarPalaming, #PhilIT, #PhilITSystemDesignSolutions, #Podcast, #AIPodcast, #TechnologyPodcast, #ArtificialIntelligence, #AI, #EnterpriseAI, #AIAdoption, #AIImplementation, #DigitalTransformation, #DigitalTransformationStrategy, #BusinessAutomation, #CustomSoftware, #SoftwareDevelopment, #AIGovernance, #TechnologyGovernance, #HumanCenteredAI, #ResponsibleAI, #AIandHumanity, #FutureOfAI, #FutureOfTechnology, #BusinessTechnology, #TechnologyLeadership, #DigitalLeadership, #OpenSource, #OpenSourceTechnology, #FinancialInclusion, #DigitalFinancialInclusion, #FinTech, #TechnologyForGood, #AIForBusiness, #EnterpriseTechnology, #BusinessInnovation, #DigitalInnovation,

Omar explains why organizations need to understand their identity, people, processes, and real business problems before investing in AI, automation, or custom software. Drawing on his background as a teacher, technologist, and CEO, he discusses AI adoption, technology governance, open-source technology, cybersecurity, digital financial inclusion, and why custom applications could play a larger role in the future.

The conversation also explores a deeper question: as AI becomes capable of making more decisions, which decisions should humans never delegate?

For Omar, technology should ultimately help people become more human.

Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders, CEOs, and technology leaders building the future.

In this episode, Brandon Blackman, CEO of BeBuilt.ai, shares insights on how small businesses can leverage AI as a workforce, the importance of owner control over AI infrastructure, and the future of AI-driven operational efficiency.

key topics

AI as a workforce for small businesses

Owner control of AI infrastructure

Building scalable AI systems

The role of AI agents in operations

The factory process for AI deployment

Challenges in scaling AI solutions

Business impact of AI automation

Partnerships and go-to-market strategies for AI services

takeaways

AI can be deployed as a low-cost, high-impact employee for small businesses.

Owner control of AI infrastructure ensures security and customization.

The factory process enables rapid deployment and scaling of AI agents.

Focusing on outcomes like increased revenue and reduced costs drives AI adoption.

Partnerships with service agencies can accelerate AI deployment in various industries.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Brandon Blackman and the AI Interconnect podcast

01:07 Brandon's background in product management and tech

02:11 How Brandon transitioned into AI and built BeBuilt

04:24 Using AI to empower Main Street USA businesses

05:52 Defining AI employees and their value for small businesses

07:17 Target customers for AI employees and ROI focus

09:06 Low-cost AI agents and ownership model

10:30 Common areas where owners waste time and money

13:17 Importance of owner control over AI infrastructure

16:39 Scaling challenges and the platform approach

21:19 Building the factory process for AI deployment

27:59 Future plans and success metrics for BeBuilt

33:17 Resources, contact info, and closing remarks

keywords

AI, small business, automation, AI employees, generative AI, business automation, AI infrastructure, AI scaling, AI in operations, AI employees, AI employees for small business, AI agents, AI agents for business, small business AI, AI automation, business automation, AI implementation, AI for small business, AI workforce, AI employee automation, AI business automation, automate repetitive tasks, AI accounts payable, AI finance automation, AI agent ownership,

#AIInterConnect, #BrandonBlackman, #BeBuiltAI, #Podcast, #AIPodcast, #AIEmployees, #AIAgents, #AIAgentsForBusiness, #AIAutomation, #BusinessAutomation, #AIImplementation, #SmallBusinessAI, #AIForBusiness, #AIForSmallBusiness, #AIWorkforce, #FutureOfWork, #ArtificialIntelligence, #GenerativeAI, #AgenticAI, #AIAgentAutomation, #WorkflowAutomation, #BusinessProcessAutomation, #FinanceAutomation, #AccountsPayable, #AIFinance, #ServiceBusiness, #SmallBusiness, #BusinessGrowth, #BusinessEfficiency, #CostReduction, #Productivity, #DigitalTransformation, #AIAdoption, #AutomationStrategy, #CustomAIAgents, #HumanAI, #Entrepreneurship, #Founder, #BusinessTechnology, #FutureOfBusiness,

Brandon Blackman, Founder & CEO of BeBuilt.ai, joins AI InterConnect to explain how AI employees can help small and mid-sized service businesses automate repetitive work, reduce costs, improve customer experience, and scale operations.

Brandon breaks down what an AI employee actually is, why businesses should focus on measurable outcomes rather than simply "doing AI," and where AI agents are already producing practical value. He shares examples from accounts payable, finance, insurance, construction, HVAC, and other service businesses, including how AI employees can work around the clock at a fraction of traditional labor costs.

We also explore AI agent ownership, human oversight, the future of work, and BeBuilt's vision for managing hundreds or thousands of specialized AI employees.

Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders and CEOs building the future with AI.

Akmann Van-Mary, Founder and CEO of Reclaim, shares his journey from logistics to revolutionizing travel luggage management. Discover how AI, technology, and strategic partnerships are transforming the travel experience by giving travelers back their time and reducing airport congestion.

key topics

The evolution of logistics and its impact on travel

How Reclaim's service gives travelers more vacation time

The technology behind off-airport baggage handling

Partnerships with airports and airlines to improve travel

The role of AI in orchestrating logistics and traffic management

Scaling challenges and success metrics for Reclaim

The importance of customer-centric travel solutions

Regulatory and permit considerations in airport operations

sound bites

"Logistics is the backbone of travel innovation."

"AI orchestrates traffic and logistics seamlessly."

"Success is when travel becomes second nature."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Achmann von Mari and Reclaim

00:57 Achmann's background in logistics and industry experience

02:11 The problem with traditional luggage storage in cities

03:01 Achmann's travel research and industry insights

03:53 The core problem Reclaim aims to solve for travelers

04:49 How Reclaim's service works from booking to delivery

05:51 Technology, security, and AI in luggage handling

06:50 Partnerships with airports and airlines

08:05 Scaling challenges and market expansion strategies

08:55 The role of AI in logistics orchestration

10:09 Customer experience and future travel trends

11:01 Regulatory considerations and airport collaborations

11:52 Vision for the future of off-airport baggage services

13:04 Lessons learned and advice for entrepreneurs

13:58 Closing thoughts and contact information

keywords

Travel, Logistics, AI, Luggage Management, Customer Experience, Innovation, Reclaim, Airport Solutions, Travel Tech, Startup, luggage-free travel, AI in travel, AI-powered logistics, airport innovation, travel technology, TravelTech, aviation technology, smart luggage, baggage technology, airport logistics, luggage delivery service, future of air travel, passenger experience, airport automation, AI logistics, off-airport baggage, baggage handling, airport congestion, travel automation, frictionless travel, Reclaim, Hello Reclaim, Akmann Van-Mary,

#AIInterConnect, #Podcast, #AkmannVanMary, #Reclaim, #HelloReclaim, #TravelTech, #Aviation, #AviationTechnology, #TravelTechnology, #AIinTravel, #AILogistics, #ArtificialIntelligence, #AirportInnovation, #AirportTechnology, #SmartAirports, #FutureOfTravel, #LuggageFreeTravel, #LuggageDelivery, #BaggageHandling, #BaggageTechnology, #AirportLogistics, #AirportAutomation, #TravelAutomation, #PassengerExperience, #FrictionlessTravel, #TravelInnovation, #AirlineTechnology, #AviationInnovation, #SmartTravel, #FutureOfAviation, #AirportExperience, #TravelExperience, #LogisticsTechnology,

Akmann Van-Mary, Founder and CEO of Reclaim, joins AI InterConnect to explore how AI, logistics, and airport innovation could change the way travelers handle luggage.

After nearly 30 years in logistics and previously building RoadSync, Akmann identified a simple but persistent travel problem: luggage can dictate what travelers do before hotel check-in and after checkout. He explains how Reclaim combines secure luggage pickup, tracking, airport integration, and AI-powered logistics to give travelers that time back.

We discuss how AI coordinates Reclaim’s fleet using traffic and weather data, why airports and airlines are critical partners, the complexity of entering new airports, and Akmann’s vision for door-to-door luggage-free travel.

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The description reflects Akmann's stated vision that passengers should ideally think about their luggage only when packing and unpacking.

In this episode, Ben Sheppard from Inside Startups shares his extensive journey from infrastructure advisor to tech startup founder and investor. He discusses the lessons learned from startup dips, the importance of fractional operators, and how to navigate growth and funding challenges.

key topics

Ben Sheppard's career transition from infrastructure to tech startups

The importance of learning from startup dips and failures

Role of fractional operators in startup scaling

Strategies for go-to-market and customer acquisition

Funding and investment insights from Ben Sheppard

The impact of regulatory environments on startups

Building and exiting startups quickly

Lessons learned from startup failures and pivots

Future plans for inside startups and tech innovation

takeaways

Startup dips teach more than success stories.

Fractional operators provide immediate impact and expertise.

Early customer validation is crucial for scaling.

Building a strong go-to-market engine accelerates growth.

Funding success can be fragile; market collapse affects all.

Resilience and adaptability are key to startup survival.

Clear organizational design supports scaling efforts.

Founder control can be relieved through strategic delegation.

sound bites

"Regulatory environments can make or break a business."

"Blockchain and decentralised finance can solve infrastructure financing."

"The dips in startups teach more than the ups."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Laurent Cochet and AI Interconnect

00:24 Introducing Ben Sheppard and his background

01:21 Ben’s career journey from infrastructure to startups

02:25 Lessons from building and exiting startups

04:41 The impact of regulatory environments on business

09:08 Ben’s shift to tech and blockchain innovations

14:02 Raising capital and market challenges in blockchain

17:11 Dealing with market collapse and startup dips

21:36 The importance of resilience and learning from failures

22:38 The role of fractional operators in startups

26:20 Future plans for inside startups and growth strategies

keywords

startup, entrepreneurship, funding, growth, fractional operators, tech, investment, leadership, scaling, business strategy, B2B growth, B2B startup growth, founder-led sales, founder-led growth, startup sales, startup go-to-market strategy, go-to-market strategy, GTM strategy, GTM engine, B2B lead generation, B2B sales pipeline, customer acquisition, startup customer acquisition, scaling a startup, how to scale a startup, predictable sales pipeline, repeatable sales process, product market fit, finding product market fit, startup founder, fractional executive, fractional operator, startup business coach, startup growth strategy, first customers, finding B2B customers, Inside Startups, Ben Sheppard, AI InterConnect, Barcelona startups

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Ben Sheppard, Founder of Inside Startups, joins AI InterConnect to explain why B2B startups often struggle to scale beyond founder-led sales and their immediate network.

Drawing on a career spanning major infrastructure projects, multiple startups, fundraising, an exit, turnaround situations and fractional leadership, Ben shares why building the product is often easier than consistently finding customers.

We explore how founders can identify the real barriers to growth, validate their ICP, win customers outside their existing network, build a repeatable go-to-market engine, and know when coaching should give way to hands-on fractional leadership.

Ben also explains his “as-is” assessment approach and how founders can work backwards from a clear 90-day outcome to remove themselves as the bottleneck.

Subscribe to AI InterConnect for conversations with founders, CEOs and operators building repeatable B2B growth.