Welcome to another episode of Grow with Technology! In today’s conversation, host Ben Bard and AI co-host Jessica Smith tackle the realities behind the current AI boom—because if you’ve been anywhere near a business news feed lately, you know AI is everywhere. But is it living up to the hype? Drawing on insights from Richard Butler Junior, this episode dives into why so many AI automation projects fall short, separating glossy promises from the tougher, practical truths that businesses face.

Ben and Jessica walk through the most common pitfalls organizations encounter—from treating AI like a magic solution, to lacking a clear strategy, grappling with messy data, and neglecting the human side of AI adoption. They unpack real-world examples where millions were lost to strategy missteps, integration failures, and poor change management, but also share actionable advice on sidestepping these traps.

Listen in for a roadmap on how to start small, focus on real business problems, involve your team from day one, and keep your data clean—so your next AI initiative is set up for true, transformative success. Whether you’re planning your first automation project or looking to recalibrate after a bumpy rollout, this episode is packed with practical wisdom to help you actually grow with technology.