Why AI Fails Small Business (And What to Do First)

Most AI projects fail before they start because businesses skip the most important step: figuring out what's actually broken. Jason Padgett and Adam Staples unpack why clarity has to come before automation, what the recent Claude code leak actually tells us about AI development culture, and whether the current wave of AI layoffs is real efficiency or EBITDA spin.Key topics covered:Why small businesses can't follow the enterprise AI playbook — resources, talent, and timeline don't match"You cannot automate chaos" — Chakra BPC's process-first approach to AI deploymentThe Turing test in real life: an AI-written newsletter that fooled a credentialed English teacherOpenAI's media network acquisition and what AI-controlled journalism does to independent coverageThe Claude source code leak: human error, competitive ethics, and the "honor among thieves" argumentAI layoffs at companies like Salesforce — EBITDA cover story or actual automation gains?Why liberal arts and communication skills are becoming the most valuable AI adjacencyWhat data science and CS graduates should be targeting instead of big tech entry-level rolesSpaceX IPO timing, AI company valuations, and whether the private market can absorb themData centers in orbit: costs, robotics requirements, and Silicon Valley magical thinkingBottom line: Scale people, don't replace them. The businesses getting real ROI from AI are the ones who started by fixing their processes, not buying the pixie dust.About Adam Staples: Founder of Chakra Business Process Consulting, Indianapolis, Indiana. 25 years in telecom, SaaS, and IT consulting. Helps SMBs build operational clarity before deploying AI. chakrabpc.comWork with Jason → [email protected]🌐 https://www.phoenixsolutionsgroup.org/Newsletter → https://www.linkedin.com/build-relation/newsletter-follow?entityUrn=7399599285849346048AGI Podcast shows:School's Out Saturdays: AI in education, K-12 through universityWeekly Blitz: AI news every Monday, 30-45 minutesData Bytes: Data literacy for business ownersThe Vibe: Deep conversations, no time limitAll platforms: https://linktr.ee/AGIPodcastFollow: Facebook + LinkedIn @AGIPodcast | Instagram @AGISchoolsout | X @NoCodeCAIOTools Jason recommends:MindStudio → https://get.mindstudio.ai/q7n7u5cttkdqRiverside.fm → https://riverside.sjv.io/e1xyBrWispr Flow → https://ref.wisprflow.ai/jason-padgett