Weekly News Roundup (22AUG24)

Summary In this episode, Liam Lawson interviews Shawn Miller, co-founder and CEO of Inboundr AI. They discuss Shawn's journey from door-to-door sales to entrepreneurship, including ventures in the food delivery industry. Shawn explains how Inboundr AI helps users create authentic, employee-led content by using AI to analyze transcripts from meetings, podcasts, and conversations. They also cover the rise of social media in buyer behavior, the challenges of building trust in AI-generated content, and the future of Inboundr AI, with plans to expand into photo and video content. Shawn shares insights on AI's potential disruptions, the importance of communication, and his entrepreneurial drive, particularly within Canada's supportive startup ecosystem. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Sean Miller and Inbounder AI 02:21 From Door-to-Door Sales to Entrepreneurship 06:25 Pivoting from a Failed Business to Inbounder AI 09:48 The Rise of Employee-Led Content 14:41 The Psychology Behind the Shift in Buyer Behavior 18:20 How Inbounder AI Works 21:39 Growth and Values of Inbounder AI 26:08 The Future of Inbounder AI 26:49 Backlash and Challenges in the Content Marketing Space 29:25 AI-Powered Personalized Content Creation 30:58 Co-Founder Dynamics 35:50 Building Trust in AI-Generated Content 37:59 Expanding into Photo and Video Content 44:02 The Future of AI 45:53 Starting an AI Business 47:24 Motivation for Entrepreneurship Connect with Shawn — LinkedIn

It's easy to get caught up in AI fear, specifically the fear of being replaced. We talked about as much in our last episode. However the more relevant fear we should be focused on is the fear of being tricked. If the era of fake news and the emergence of deep fakes wasn't enough, now we need to contend with the reality that most major tech companies don't actually care what's being shared, taking the stance that it's up to us to decide what's real as long as they're getting their clicks. Last time we talked about the need to rediscover out capacity to think critically. This time we're showing you why. Alongside previous guest and friend Casey Fox, founder of Tekletics, we took on a project that showed us just how easy it was to break Twitter, and virtually any media platform, all by following the rules. You're going to want to see this going into the U.S. election next week.

Summary In this conversation, Liam Lawson interviews Shayan Arman (Shy), a former employee at Apple and the founder of Zero Inbox and Thali AI. They discuss Shy's experiences at Apple, including meeting Tim Cook and working on Siri. They also delve into the development and features of Zero Inbox, an email manager that uses AI to simplify email organization. Shy shares insights into the AI industry and the potential of large language models (LLMs) like GPT. They also touch on the future of AI and the role it may play in sales and communication. In this conversation, Shy discusses the future of AI and automation, as well as his own project, Surf, a modular dishwasher. He explains that AI agents will become essential for productivity and competition, and predicts that AI technology will continue to improve and be applied in various industries. However, he also expresses concerns about the use of AI in warfare and the potential loss of human connection. Shy shares his experience of doing the Camino de Santiago and emphasizes the importance of finding balance in life and enjoying the present moment. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:34 Meeting Tim Cook and Working on Siri at Apple 02:43 Simplifying Email Organization with Zero Inbox 05:56 The Growth and Potential of the AI Industry 08:57 Thali AI: AI Agents for Salespeople 13:05 The Future of AI: Personal AI Agents for Communication 24:45 The Future of AI and Automation 32:23 Introducing Surf: The Modular Dishwasher 36:15 Predictions for AI and Automation 36:58 The Importance of the Camino de Santiago 43:23 Finding Balance in Life Connect with Shayan — LinkedIn

In this episode, Jake George, founder of Synthoria Labs, joins Liam Lawson to discuss B2B custom AI development and the creation of intelligent AI agents to solve complex business challenges. Jake highlights the limitations of tools like ChatGPT and the importance of custom AI solutions integrated with existing systems. They also explore how AI and automation save time, cut costs, and help businesses scale, while Jake shares his journey from crypto marketing to AI development. Together, they address misconceptions about AI in B2B, the skills gap, and the future of AI, offering advice for newcomers to the field. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:17 The Power of Custom AI Solutions 11:20 Understanding AI, Agents, and Automations 17:04 Building AI Agents with No-Code and Low-Code Platforms 24:16 The Launchpad: Overcoming Challenges in Personal Branding 35:18 LinkedIn: A Valuable Platform for B2B Networking and Personal Branding 39:47 Social Media and Attention Management 41:07 Misconceptions about AI in the B2B Space 44:40 The Impact of AI on Laziness and the Skills Gap 58:01 The Freedom and Challenges of Being a Digital Entrepreneur 01:04:57 The Exciting and Evolving Future of AI 01:09:54 Advice for Those Interested in AI 01:12:50 Contacting Jake George Connect with Jake — LinkedIn

Summary Audrey Chia, Founder of Close with Copy, shares her journey in marketing, LinkedIn growth, and leveraging AI in copywriting. She emphasizes action, a growth mindset, and consistency for success. Audrey discusses the power of personal branding, her experiences with public speaking, and her content strategy focused on listening and asking the right questions. She also introduces her LinkedIn Launchpad, a system for building personal brands, and shares her favorite AI tools, highlighting the importance of a clear vision. Audrey touches on the future of AI in advertising and its potential to empower more creatives. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Spontaneity 02:26 Optimal Focus Stack and Work-Life Balance 04:16 The Power of the LinkedIn Community 06:44 Audrey's Journey as an Entrepreneur 11:02 Leveraging AI Tools in Copywriting 13:39 Consistency and Dedication in Personal Branding 16:23 Unlocking Opportunities through LinkedIn 30:27 The Secret to Success 32:41 Launching Your Personal Brand on LinkedIn 37:27 The LinkedIn Launchpad 40:10 AI Tools and the Importance of Vision 53:11 The Future of AI in Advertising 58:33 Empowering Creatives with AI Connect with Audrey — LinkedIn

Shiny new toys are great and all, but there's really only one question nearly all of us are asking when it comes to AI: are we in danger of being replaced? AI thinks faster, combines data more effectively, and isn't burdened with inefficiencies like bathroom breaks and a need for social connections. So how do we fit into all of this? And what do we do to get ready? We're on with Pascal Bornet, a living legend in the AI world with over 20 years experience in automation. Drawing from his experience living in working everywhere from France and China, to Singapore and the United States, he shares what he's learned about the direction AI is taking, what we can do to get ready for the coming changes, and how getting ready for the future means tapping into ancient wisdom.

Summery In this episode, Liam Lawson interviews Hank Barker, co-founder of PriorAIty. Hank shares his self-taught journey into AI and his mission to provide value through bespoke consulting and training for businesses. The discussion touches on the importance of authenticity on LinkedIn, the challenges companies face with AI implementation, and the need for tailored training and data readiness. Hank's company focuses on simplifying AI for organizations, offering workshops and training to ensure smooth integration. He also emphasizes work-life balance, the role of nature in staying grounded, and his excitement for the future of AI, particularly voice technology. Chapters 00:00 The Supportive AI Community and the Power of Personal Connections 03:29 From Teaching College Students to Training Businesses 11:30 Tailoring AI Training to the Specific Needs of Organizations 15:31 Challenges Companies Face in Adopting AI 26:29 Addressing the Lack of Knowledge and Understanding of AI 28:23 Data Readiness for AI Implementation 30:42 Monetization Strategies and Courses in AI 33:49 Building a Personal Brand on LinkedIn 37:12 The Benefits of Nature and a Structured Morning Routine 39:30 The Potential of AI Voice Technology 48:20 Approaching AI with Curiosity and Enthusiasm Connect with Hank — LinkedIn

Summary In this episode, Liam Lawson interviews Rob Howard, founder of Howard Development Consulting and Innovating with AI. They discuss Rob's diverse background in writing, advertising, journalism, and tech, and how he integrated these skills with AI. Rob shares insights on working with clients of all sizes, the challenges of large organizations, and the importance of experimentation in a long-term career. They also explore the creation of Innovating with AI and the AI Incubator course, which guides people from zero to building an AI product. Rob emphasizes the need for continuous learning, staying ahead in AI, and combining technical skills with effective communication. He also touches on the excitement around AI video generation, the importance of taking risks, and maintaining work-life balance. Rob advises beginners to start with mainstream chatbots and build solutions that address real problems. Chapters 00:00 Combining Tech Skills with Communication Skills 06:27 The Unique Collaboration of Traits 12:06 Experimentation and Future Focus 26:09 The Breakthrough Moment: AI 29:59 Shaping Offerings Based on Market Demand 33:09 Combining Tech and Communication in AI 36:08 Delivering Live Workshops and Using Live Questions 38:01 Common Misconceptions About AI Models 40:28 Stepping Out of Your Comfort Zone in the AI Field 50:37 Exciting Developments in Video Generation and AI Models 54:20 Getting Started in AI: Familiarize Yourself with Chatbots 57:02 Achieving a Healthy Work-Life Balance in the AI Field Connect with Rob - LinkedIn

Summary In this episode, Ben Etherington, CTO and co-founder of Webforge, shares his journey from the film industry to AI and his expertise in helping businesses implement AI effectively. The discussion explores the importance of data readiness, the challenges of outdated processes, and the role of company culture in adopting AI. Ben also touches on the future of AI, ethical considerations, and the differences between the US and UK tech landscapes. The episode wraps up with insights on building client trust and a light-hearted conversation about the challenges of having famous namesakes. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:07 Being Technical and Having Sales Skills 16:55 Webforge's Consulting, Strategy, and Education Services 26:00 Misconceptions and Challenges in AI Implementation 29:40 Conducting AI Readiness Audits 33:10 Poly-Structured Data Challenges 46:54 Working with SMBs: Trust and Value Propositions 58:35 Challenges of Compartmentalized Businesses 01:05:26 The Need for Transparency and Action in the AI Industry 01:07:32 Dispelling Misconceptions about Americans 01:11:41 Ranking Higher on Google: Building a Personal Brand 01:20:22 Inspiration from AI Thought Leaders Connect with Ben - ⁠LinkedIn

Summary AdCreative.ai has scaled from 0 to 35 million ARR in 18 months by simplifying the ad creation process using AI. They have developed Ad LLM, the world's first fine-tuned AI model based on advertising data, to generate high-converting ad inferences. The CEO, Tufan Gok, has a background in mechanical engineering and freelancing in paid advertising. His curiosity and passion for new technologies have driven his success as a growth hacker. AdCreative.ai is focused on solving the creative problem in advertising and aims to become the leader in the industry. Tufan Gok reflects on his journey as a startup founder and the personal and professional growth he has experienced. He emphasizes the importance of adapting as a company scales and the need for different skill sets at each stage. He also discusses the culture of innovation and entrepreneurship at AdCreative.aiand how they maintain it through careful hiring and fostering a supportive environment. Tufan shares his infectious energy and passion for AI and marketing, highlighting the potential of AI in the medical industry. He advises aspiring entrepreneurs to find a market with a clear problem and solve it with AI. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 07:23 The Role of Curiosity and Passion in Entrepreneurship 12:31 The Impact of AI on Growth Hacking 24:13 Introducing AdLM: An Ad-Centric AI Model 32:56 Simplifying Ad Creation with Instant Ads 40:15 The Future of Advertising: Seamless and Instant Ad Generation 45:04 Building a Culture of Innovation and Entrepreneurship 47:28 Finding Happiness in Simplicity 51:50 The Future of AI in Healthcare and Education Connect with Tufan — LinkedIn