Head Nerds On AI Strategy (EP 995)

This conversation with Ben Lee and Marc‑Andre from the N-Able Head Nerds team gets right into the questions MSPs are really asking at Empower 2026: how to approach AI strategically, what the new AI management tab actually does, and how to wrap governance and compliance around all of it. We also get into the evolution of automation inside the MSP space, why it’s shifted from “hours of scripting” to more of a teaching and idea-generation role, and how the Head Nerds are helping partners turn those ideas into scalable services. We talk about AI as more than just embedded features: in‑product AI, building your own agents and automations off the platform, and deciding when to use N-Able’s tools versus rolling your own. Ben and Marc‑Andre share what they’re hearing from more mature MSPs—concerns about governance, edge‑case risks, and how to create AI offerings that sit alongside resiliency and security packages—while still keeping things practical and grounded. Chapters: 00:45 Meet The N-Able Head Nerds 02:10 The Importance of the Nerd Lounge 04:40 Handling Tough Partner Questions 06:30 Travel, Conferences, And Nerds Community 08:20 New AI Management Tab Interest 09:30 Real AI Use Cases And Roadmap Ideas 10:45 From Scripting To AI‑Driven Automation 12:20 What Mature MSPs Are Asking About AI 13:30 Governance, Compliance, And AI Guardrails 14:40 Closing Thoughts From Fort Lauderdale Guests Ben Lee, N‑able (Head Nerd, Microsoft): https://www.linkedin.com/in/benleeuk/ Marc‑Andre Tanguay, N‑able (Sr. Manager, Head Nerds): https://www.linkedin.com/in/automationnerd Companies / Vendors / Products Mentioned N‑able: https://www.n-able.com Head Nerds Team: https://www.n-able.com/team/head-nerds Empower 2026: mpower.n-able.com/ === SPONSORS:  Livestream Partner, ThreatLocker: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/threatlocker Technology Partner, NetAlly: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/netally/ Technology Partner: Bvoip: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/bvoip Travel Partner: TruGrid: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/trugrid Digital Partner, Designer Ready: http://itbusinesspodcast.com/designerready === SHOW MUSIC:  Item Title: Upbeat & Fun Sports Rock Logo  Item URL: https://elements.envato.com/upbeat-fun-sports-rock-logo-CSR3UET Author Username: AlexanderRufire  Item License Code: 7X9F52DNML === Connect with Uncle Marv🌐 Website: https://www.itbusinesspodcast.com/🎙 Host: Marvin Bee🛒 Uncle Marv’s Amazon Store (gear & tools I recommend): https://amzn.to/3EiyKoZ☕ Support the show: https://ko-fi.com/itbusinesspodcastIf you found value in this episode, share it with another MSP, IT provider, or tech entrepreneur. Your support helps keep practical, no-nonsense IT business conversations coming every week.