#66 Jason Rhoades | How AI gives us the space to actually be more human

We are standing at the edge of the biggest technological shift of our lifetimes, and most businesses are reacting with lazy thinking. They adopt shiny new tools without a strategy, leading to a chaotic web of shadow AI and disconnected agents. In this episode, I sit down with Jason Rhoades, founder of Meaningful AI, to cut through the noise. We unpack why building mediocre software is a necessary step in innovation and how to transition your team through the three gears of AI adoption, from individual productivity hacks to proactive, multi-agent orchestration.But this conversation is not just about technology; it is about what technology enables. Jason and I explore how offloading the mind-numbing drudgery of keyboard work gives us the space to be more human. By eradicating the bullshit in our operations, we can finally obsess over every nook and cranny of the customer experience. If you want to know how to use AI to cross the ‘Give a shit line’ and build authentic connections that actually make it matter, you need to hear this.Key Takeaways:Focus on value: Building software instantly with AI is useless if it does not solve a real pain point; you must make it matter for the customer rather than just adding to the noise.Shift through the three gears: True AI adoption moves from solving individual productivity issues, to team-level workflows, and finally reaches proactive, multi-agent orchestration.Establish a lighthouse strategy: Without central guidance, teams will adopt disconnected tools, creating a chaotic web of shadow AI and agentic sprawl.Eradicate the BS: AI will eliminate the lazy thinking of moving data between spreadsheets, allowing you to finally obsess over every nook and cranny of the customer experience.Make space to be more human: Offloading keyboard drudgery allows you to double down on creativity, curiosity, and empathy, ensuring your ideas actually cross the ‘give a shit line.’More about Jason RhoadesJason Rhoades is the founder and Chief Innovation Officer at Meaningful AI, a consultancy helping companies navigate the change management and implementation of artificial intelligence. An EO Atlanta member, Jason previously founded and successfully exited the UX/UI consultancy Toolbox No. 9, where he led digital experiences for brands such as Amazon, Cartoon Network, and Mercedes-Benz.