ROI from AI is back. In this reboot episode, co-hosts Andrew Lai (Managing Director of SMEC AI) and Amir Nissen (Head of Programs) interview each other to introduce SMEC AI Studio and explain why startup accelerator methods are a powerful way to drive real-world AI adoption.

Amir shares his journey from early business plan competitions to co-founding the Melbourne Accelerator Program and how the rise of AI is lowering the cost and time to build software dramatically. Andrew reflects on his own startup and accelerator background, then dives into how SMEC AI supports SMEs through free consultations and Studio programs that help validate problems, build MVPs faster using modern AI tools, and focus on outcomes like customer traction, adoption, and measurable impact.

They also discuss common founder mistakes, the importance of customer validation and distribution, and why SMEs are still early in the AI wave—making now a great time to start.

00:10 Intro and ROI from AI reboot

00:37 Why we are interviewing each other and what SMEC AI Studio is

01:20 Amir’s background and how accelerators replaced business plan competitions

02:48 The rise of Y Combinator style accelerators and why they work

05:58 What Y Combinator is and the famous companies it produced

09:26 Why use startup accelerator methods for SME AI adoption

11:45 SMEC AI consultations vs building new AI products for SMEs

13:54 AI is lowering the barrier to build tools and products fast

14:57 Why Claude Code and modern code generation changed recently

18:57 Customer validation and why startups fail without it

20:45 Founder self-belief vs the trap of not validating properly

24:40 Bootstrapping, traction, and why investors fund strength

28:08 The “no excuse now” era—prototyping is cheap and fast with AI

30:15 How AI might change Lean Startup build-measure-learn

32:54 Distribution and marketing still matter even with great products

33:56 The real difference between startups and big business

36:21 AI as an “oracle” for founders—learning faster across domains

37:22 Practical AI adoption for SMEs and building the habit of using models daily

39:14 Voice and AI scribes as a breakout SME use case

43:29 Downsides of the AI revolution—competition, moats, non-determinism, security

46:58 Responsible AI in Australia and why adoption comes first

50:06 The reality of AI adoption—why demand isn’t automatic

51:55 Outcomes focus—moving from advice to implementation support

56:02 You’re still early in AI and why direction matters more than speed

57:28 Why join SMEC AI Studio—community and curated best practice

59:57 Vertical programs and the added benefit of shared industry context

01:00:48 Wrap up and what’s coming next for the podcast

What if robots could learn like people instead of being programmed? Roger Chao is pioneering a new way forward - one that makes robotics more human, more intuitive, and more accessible. But is your company ready?

Find out how AI can work for you: 

https://smecai.au/book-a-consultation/

00:00 Intro

01:30 Why Does Programming Hold Robotics Back?

03:00 What's The Racing Car Analogy For AI Governance?

06:18 What Does Ethical AI Actually Mean In Practice?

10:01 Should We Think Of AI As Cost-Cutter Or Intelligence Multiplier?

14:15 Who Should Train The Robots: Engineers Or Task Experts?

17:30 Are Humans And Robots Going To Work Side By Side?

22:24 The #1 Tip For ROI From AI

#SMECAI #ROIfromAI #CollaborativeRobotics

Listen & Watch on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24qTwHJG4S4TMSNYX16But  

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roi-from-ai/id1829793202

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMECAI1

Discover how this approach led to a Good Design Award for a mental health app and Cat’s biggest tip for SMEs on leveraging AI for growth today. Cat Hoang Anh, Head of Growth at No Moss, an Australian B Corp building purposeful digital products, shares how No Moss was born from a simple idea: make work more human. 

Find out how AI can work for you: 

https://smecai.au/book-a-consultation/

00:00 — Who Is Cat Hoang Anh And No Moss?01:20 — How Did “Purpose At Work” Become A Core Belief?04:00 — How Did No Moss Start?07:10 — What Does “Make Work More Human” Mean?16:20 — What Awards Back This Approach?17:50 — What Is Chop Out Convos?23:10 — What Did Users Actually Want From Ai?28:00 — What’s The Real State Of Ai Today?40:10 — How Do You Get Roi From Ai?

#SMECAI #ROIfromAI #PurposeDrivenAI

Listen & Watch on:

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24qTwHJG4S4TMSNYX16But  

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roi-from-ai/id1829793202

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMECAI1

How technology can make swimming safer, more efficient, and more accessible for both beginners and pros. Micahel Cardno shares his journey into swim biomechanics and reveals how the biggest challenges in swimming aren't just physical. They're psychological. Find out how AI can work for you: https://smecai.au/book-a-consultation/Timestamps:00:00 — Who is Mike Cardno and what inspired SomaFormHQ?01:30 — What exactly is swim biomechanics?03:00 — Why does fear matter in swimming performance?04:20 — How is technology changing the pool?05:40 — Can AI and human coaches work together?07:10 — What makes feedback timing so important?08:30 — How can AI turn complex data into simple guidance?10:00 — Why are most wearables missing the mark?12:00 — What fears hold people back from using AI?14:30 — How can founders and coaches start using AI wisely?#SMECAI #ROIfromAI #AIMeetsHumanPerformanceListen & Watch on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24qTwHJG4S4TMSNYX16But Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roi-from-ai/id1829793202Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMECAI1

AI is moving fast. Is your business ready for the security risks? Cordell Robinson reveals how to protect sensitive data. Manage risk. And streamline compliance in the new age of AI.Find out how AI can work for you: https://smecai.au/book-a-consultation/00:00 - Intro 00:36 - How Did Your Navy Experience Shape Your Work?02:50 - How Do Government And Private Sectors Differ On AI? 06:37 - How Can AI Be Safe?10:00 - What Are Common Cybersecurity Mistakes? 15:00 - What Is The Future For AI In Data Protection?17:07 - What Is Your Biggest Tip?#SMECAI #ROIfromAI #TeaIndustriesListen & Watch on:Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/24qTwHJG4S4TMSNYX16ButApple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roi-from-ai/id1829793202Youtube:https://www.youtube.com/@SMECAI1

Leigh Jasper (Co-CEO, Firmable) breaks down how high-quality, local B2B data + AI “Signals” agents help SDRs/AEs find the right accounts, time outreach, and cut research waste. We cover Firmable’s 60+ data sources, ANZ→APAC localization, privacy/compliance, customer metrics, and why AI should augment (not replace) your sales process.Timestamps00:00 – Intro: Who is Leigh Jasper & what is Firmable00:39 – Origin story: fixing bad sales data for tech companies01:28 – Foundational vs advanced attributes (tech stack, traffic, buying signals)01:47 – 60+ data sources, web crawling, LLM structuring for quality02:46 – AI “Signals” agents: prospect lists, triggers, perfect timing03:00 – SDR → AE workflow: research done for you, fewer wasted calls04:53 – ANZ focus and the new NZ launch05:09 – APAC expansion & why local data nuance (postcodes, IDs) matters06:41 – Privacy & compliance: public data, DNC respect, opt-outs07:46 – Success metrics: 800 customers, usage, renewals, revenue velocity08:55 – Customer spectrum: telco (80 seats) to industrial supplies; fintech (e.g., F-Shaw)10:50 – Industry agnostic by demand: tech, recruiting, printers, and beyond11:46 – Live demo setup: Lists → Signals → selling triggers12:15 – Building lists with rich filters (roles, size, verticals)14:05 – Tracking granular Signals (hiring, leadership change, thought leadership)15:03 – Intent data (Bombora), social content, and person-level tracking16:30 – ROI tip: don’t rebuild—augment existing sales processes with agents18:33 – Try Firmable: open invite to get hands-onText hereFind out how AI can work for you:👉 https://smecai.au/book-a-consultation/ #SMECAI #ROIfromAI #FirmableListen & Watch on:Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roi-from-ai/id1829793202 Apple: https://open.spotify.com/show/24qTwHJG4S4TMSNYX16But YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMECAI1

Joel Joy, co-founder of Patient Voice, shares how an AI-powered platform is helping clinicians save hours on admin, improve note accuracy, and refocus on what matters most—patient care. From real-world adoption in clinics to the challenges of trust and privacy, Joel explains how human-centered AI is reshaping healthcare.Timestamps00:00 – Intro to Joel Joy & Patient Voice00:19 – The real story: born from Joel’s wife’s note-taking struggles01:49 – Early adoption across clinics and healthcare roles03:43 – Measuring success: time saved & smarter workflows05:58 – Data, insights & how practices benefit07:01 – Overcoming hesitancy: privacy, security & AI fears09:29 – Why AI won’t replace clinicians, but makes them more human10:23 – Ambitions for patients: documenting their own health journeys12:48 – Future vision: trends, proactive care, and reducing missed information13:42 – Joel’s advice for founders going from zero to one16:06 – Biggest ROI tip with AI: try, test, and keep iterating17:15 – Closing thoughtsFind out how AI can work for you: 👉 https://smecai.au/book-a-consultation/#SMECAI #ROIfromAI #patientvoice Listen & Watch on:Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roi-from-ai/id1829793202Apple: https://open.spotify.com/show/24qTwHJG4S4TMSNYX16ButYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMECAI1

Blake Hutchison, CEO of Flippa, shares how the marketplace is using AI to match buyers and sellers, streamline business exits, and shape the future of digital business acquisitions.

Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Blake & Flippa

00:41 – How Online Business Acquisitions Have Evolved

02:20 – Key Trends Influencing the Marketplace

05:06 – Inside Flippa’s AI Buyer Matching Engine

08:08 – Community Response to AI Tools

11:00 – New Innovations: Lauren AI & Deal Discovery

13:06 – The Future of AI in Deal Structuring

15:19 – Democratizing Business Through AI

17:43 – Flippa’s Vision for the Next 5–10 Years

18:08 – Blake’s Top Tip for ROI with AI

Find out how AI can work for you: 👉 https://smecai.au/book-a-consultation/

#SMECAI #ROIfromAI #Flippa

Listen & Watch on:

Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roi-from-ai/id1829793202

Apple: https://open.spotify.com/show/24qTwHJG4S4TMSNYX16But YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMECAI1

Vish Prasad shares how his AI-powered workspace helps founders validate ideas, analyze competitors, and fast-track product-market fit.

00:00 - Introduction to Vish & Founder AI

00:40 - Why Build Founder AI?

02:25 - Most Transformative Features

04:14 - Success Stories from Founders

07:23 - Why Founder AI vs ChatGPT

09:54 - The Future Vision

11:48 - ROI Tips with AI

13:48 - Closing Thoughts

Find out how AI can work for you:

https://smecai.au/book-a-consultation/

#SMECAI #ROIfromAI #FounderAI

Listen & Watch on:

Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roi-from-ai/id1829793202

Apple: https://open.spotify.com/show/24qTwHJG4S4TMSNYX16But

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMECAI1

"Melvin Chen, Founder & CEO of CareGP, reveals how his AI-powered agents—Samantha, Veronica, Karina, and Bill—are cutting admin time, reducing costs, and giving doctors more space to focus on patient care.

Discover how CareGP is transforming healthcare admin and shaping the future of general practice in Australia.

⏱️ Timestamps:

00:00 – Intro to Melvin Chen & CareGP

00:49 – Why Build CareGP?

02:23 – What “AI-Native” Really Means

03:49 – Picking the Right Workflows to Automate

05:49 – New Agents & Roadmap Preview

08:06 – Live Demo: Samantha in Action

10:31 – Key Metrics: Time vs. Quality

13:08 – Designing Personas & Avatars

15:11 – Clinician & Staff Adoption

16:54 – The Next 5–10 Years for CareGP

19:13 – ROI Tip: Test, Pilot & Align with Your Team

20:28 – Closing Thoughts

👉 Find out how AI can transform your clinic:

https://smecai.au/book-a-consultation/

#SMECAI #ROIfromAI #CareGP #HealthTech #AINative

🎧 Listen & Watch on:

Spotify: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/roi-from-ai/id1829793202

Apple: https://open.spotify.com/show/24qTwHJG4S4TMSNYX16But

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SMECAI1"