In this episode of Conversations with Zena, David Espindola is joined by Laurent Cohen, Founder and CTO of GetOblic, to explore how voice-first AI is reshaping the way local businesses are discovered, engaged, and trusted in a rapidly evolving digital landscape.

At the heart of the conversation is a powerful shift: we are moving from search to conversation. Laurent shares how traditional directories are being reimagined into intelligent, voice-enabled ecosystems—where every business can instantly deploy an AI agent that interacts with customers, answers questions, and even generates leads without upfront cost. This model not only lowers the barrier to entry but also introduces a new paradigm of accessibility and scalability for small and medium-sized businesses. 

The discussion goes deeper into the role of trust as the foundational layer of AI adoption. Rather than pushing technology for its own sake, Laurent emphasizes the importance of gradual integration—allowing business owners to build confidence in AI as a partner that enhances, rather than replaces, their voice and identity. 

David and Laurent also unpack how voice AI is influencing SEO and digital visibility. With users spending more time interacting conversationally with AI agents, new signals like engagement and retention are emerging as critical factors in how platforms like Google surface content. This signals a broader transformation: from passive web pages to active, intelligent interfaces. 

Zena joins the conversation to explore a key question—how voice AI can democratize access so that smaller businesses are not left behind. The answer reveals a compelling vision: AI as an equalizer, enabling capabilities like multilingual support, 24/7 responsiveness, and consistent customer experience—once reserved for large enterprises.

This episode offers a thoughtful and practical look at where digital commerce is heading—toward a world where voice becomes the primary interface, AI becomes the intermediary, and trust becomes the currency that determines who gets heard.

If you’re a business leader, entrepreneur, or simply curious about the future of human-AI interaction, this conversation will expand how you think about visibility, relationships, and growth in the age of intelligent systems.

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