In this episode of the AI Guys Podcast, Lee Dickson and Rich Swier break down what it really takes to build and deploy AI agents that deliver value. They cover the full lifecycle from development blueprints and data preparation to training, integrations, testing, and post-launch monitoring.

If you are experimenting with AI agents or planning your first deployment, this episode will help you avoid common mistakes and build systems that scale.

Subscribe to the AI Guys Podcast and follow us for practical conversations on AI, software, and the future of work.

https://substack.aiguyspod.com

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Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia. https://www.raiaai.com/

Produced by Content Supply

 

In this episode, Lee and Rich dive into the operating model of the modern company as we approach 2026. The conversation moves beyond simple chatbots and into the realm of AI Agents—software that doesn't just answer questions but performs tasks. Rich argues that knowledge-based businesses (like consultancies) must start thinking like manufacturers, breaking down processes into "conveyor belt" workflows where AI handles the heavy lifting and humans act as supervisors. They discuss the necessity of re-underwriting org charts, the massive productivity potential of the "10x employee," and why resisting this change isn't about protecting jobs—it's about risking obsolescence.

Interested in A.I.? Check out our podcast A.I. Guys. Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube (or others)

https://substack.aiguyspod.com

All links: https://lnkd.in/eXDpww6V
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ee9h9GYB
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Apple: https://lnkd.in/epYT2GSi

Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia. https://www.raiaai.com/

Chapters
00:00 Intro & Banter
01:29 From Tools to Infrastructure
03:07 The Manufacturing Mindset
06:14 The AI Consultant Model
11:17 Agents vs. Chatbots
14:02 The 10x Employee
16:30 The 2026 Org Chart
21:18 Outro

Produced by @ContentSupply

 

In this episode, The AI Guys tackle the rapidly widening gap in the software world. On one side, you have "Vibe Coders"—entrepreneurs and new devs using AI to generate entire applications via prompts, bypassing traditional coding struggles. On the other, you have enterprise teams managing 30-year-old legacy systems. Rich Swire breaks down how to bridge this divide using AI Agents trained on your specific data, and why the future of development isn't about replacing humans, but keeping them in the loop while the AI drives.

Why should I listen? If you are a technical leader, developer, or entrepreneur, this episode explains the difference between simple AI autocomplete and full-scale AI development. You'll learn a practical framework for modernizing legacy code without rewriting it from scratch.

Interested in A.I.? Check out our podcast A.I. Guys. Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube (or others)

https://substack.aiguyspod.com

All links: https://lnkd.in/eXDpww6V
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ee9h9GYB
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/etDvqQ7d
Apple: https://lnkd.in/epYT2GSi

Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia. https://www.raiaai.com/

Chapters
00:00 - Intro & The "Cold" Open
01:25 - The Evolution: From IDE Autocomplete to Code Gen
02:44 - The Tesla Analogy: When to let AI take the wheel
04:00 - What is "Vibe Coding"?
06:49 - The Framework: Tool-Based AI vs. Agentic AI
10:24 - The Challenge of Modernizing Legacy Code
14:41 - The "Google Maps" Analogy for Senior Devs
19:35 - The "Human in the Loop" Conclusion

 

Produced by @ContentSupply

 

Why is AI adoption so slow when the opportunity feels so massive? In this episode of the AI Guys Podcast, Lee and Rich sit down with Jason Jackson, Group AI Enablement Lead at Vista Software Group, to unpack the real-world challenges holding AI back.

They discuss governance friction, legacy systems, legal uncertainty, and why constantly shifting AI technology makes long-term planning difficult. Jason shares practical insights on running better experiments, staying flexible with models and vendors, and building AI systems that deliver measurable value.

This episode is essential listening for leaders, builders, and operators navigating AI inside complex organizations.

Subscribe to the AI Guys Podcast and follow us for more practical conversations on AI, software, and the future of work.

Interested in A.I.? Check out our podcast A.I. Guys. Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube (or others)

https://substack.aiguyspod.com

All links: https://lnkd.in/eXDpww6V

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ee9h9GYB

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Apple: https://lnkd.in/epYT2GSi

Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia. https://www.raiaai.com/

This podcast is produced by Content Supply.

 

In this episode of the AI Guys, hosts Lee Dixon and Rich Swire wrap up 2025 by outlining the three critical trends that will define the next year of artificial intelligence. They move beyond the "experimental" phase to discuss why 2026 marks the end of "analysis paralysis" and the beginning of mandated business adoption where AI is embedded into the DNA of company workflows.

Rich explains why we are approaching a massive "startup churn" as hyperscalers like Google and Amazon vertically integrate features that will likely wipe out early "wrapper" companies. They also touch on the rise of a new "AI Services" industry to help businesses transform their legacy systems , and why leaders need to treat their AI budget just like the salary of a new, high-value employee.

Interested in A.I.? Check out our podcast A.I. Guys. Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube (or others)
https://substack.aiguyspod.com
All links: https://lnkd.in/eXDpww6V
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Apple: https://lnkd.in/epYT2GSi

Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia. https://www.raiaai.com/

In this episode of the AI Guys, hosts Lee Dickson and Rich Swier dive into the technical and cultural shifts AI is bringing to software development. They move beyond the basic use cases of GitHub Copilot to discuss the concept of the "Agentic Layer"—training AI on your specific schema, blueprints, and user guides to create a true collaborator.

Rich explains why AI is already a superior debugger to humans and why the future of development requires a mindset shift from being the primary "doer" to being a "manager" of agents. They also touch on "vibe coding," the resistance of old-school developers, and why the ultimate goal of AI is to untether us from our screens.

 

Interested in A.I.? Check out our podcast A.I. Guys. Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube (or others)

https://substack.aiguyspod.com

All links: https://lnkd.in/eXDpww6V
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ee9h9GYB
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/etDvqQ7d
Apple: https://lnkd.in/epYT2GSi

Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia.
https://www.raiaai.com/

In this episode of the AI Guys, hosts Lee Dickson and Rich Swier tackle the "Build vs. Buy vs. Embed" dilemma. They explore why so many companies are tempted to simply "upgrade" their existing SaaS tools (like CRMs or Support desks) to include AI, and why Rich believes this often results in the "worst version of AI you could imagine."

They discuss the economic reality that forces SaaS vendors to use cheap, low-powered models to protect their margins, leaving clients with underpowered tools. The conversation concludes with a look at the "Hybrid" approach—using platforms that offer the security of a purchased product with the flexibility to build custom, autonomous agents that can eventually replace seat-based software.

Interested in A.I.? Check out our podcast A.I. Guys. Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube (or others)

https://substack.aiguyspod.com

All links: https://lnkd.in/eXDpww6V
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ee9h9GYB
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/etDvqQ7d
Apple: https://lnkd.in/epYT2GSi

Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia.
https://www.raiaai.com/

The "per seat" SaaS model is dead. The AI Guys break down "tokenomics", the new utility-based pricing model for AI that is replacing software subscriptions. Follow along with us as they show how productivity will likely be measured in corporations. Saas companies everywhere will need to pivot, and likely sooner than they think.

Interested in A.I.? Check out our podcast A.I. Guys. Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, YouTube (or others)

https://substack.aiguyspod.com

All links: https://lnkd.in/eXDpww6V
Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ee9h9GYB
YouTube: https://lnkd.in/etDvqQ7d
Apple: https://lnkd.in/epYT2GSi

Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia.
https://www.raiaai.com/

 

#AI

#Podcast

#AIGuys

 

Are you feeling the squeeze? The era of free APIs and comfortable user interfaces is over. Lee and Rich discuss why the "battle for the middle"—the space between foundation models and user interfaces—is the new focus for tech giants. Learn the three immediate actions SaaS providers, e-commerce, and service companies must take to protect their revenue and redefine their value. Discover why your old business models (per-seat, per-hour) are obsolete and how the new currency of compute/tokens is forcing a radical shift in strategy and product development. Protect your business before it's too late.

 

Interested in A.I.? Check out our podcast A.I. Guys. Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, Youtube (or others)

 

Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia. 

https://www.raiaai.com/

 

All links: https://lnkd.in/eXDpww6V

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ee9h9GYB

Youtube: https://lnkd.in/etDvqQ7d

Apple: https://lnkd.in/epYT2GSi

 

#AI

#Podcast

#AIGuys

 

Are high AI usage costs crippling your budget? Many are overspending by defaulting to the newest, most expensive reasoning models for simple tasks. The problem: The temptation to use "the biggest brain" for every job, leading to ballooning token costs and slow performance. The solution: Discover the power of specialized, smaller models and asynchronous agentic workflows to dramatically reduce your usage fees and speed up output. Our credibility: Hosts Lee Dixon and Rich Swier, the "Charles Darwin of AI evolution," dissect model evolution and share the crucial strategies we use daily to build cost-effective, high-performing AI solutions for clients. Learn how to optimize your AI strategy right now before you overspend.

 

Interested in A.I.? Check out our podcast A.I. Guys. Subscribe to us on Apple, Spotify, Youtube (or others)

 

Save time and money by adopting AI agents with raia. 

https://www.raiaai.com/

 

All links: https://lnkd.in/eXDpww6V

Spotify: https://lnkd.in/ee9h9GYB

Youtube: https://lnkd.in/etDvqQ7d

Apple: https://lnkd.in/epYT2GSi

 

#AI

#Podcast

#AIGuys