EPISODE · Feb 24, 2026 · 43 MIN
You Don’t Have an AI Problem — You Have a Strategy Problem | FounderClosers EP. 56
from Founder Closers · host Matt Uber
Artificial Intelligence is exploding — but 83% of AI projects fail.In this episode of Founder Closures, Matt sits down with Michele Thomas, former federal executive and co-founder of Trusted Tech, to break down why so many startups, founders, and even enterprise companies get AI completely wrong.From investor pitch failures to $15M AI implementation disasters, Michele shares what she learned advising investors, working in federal leadership, and now consulting across public and private sectors.They discuss:-Why founders struggle to communicate their strategy-The real reason AI projects fail (hint: it’s not the code)-Deepfakes, cybersecurity, and trust in AI-Robotic surgery and the future of automation-Why clarity beats hype every timeIf you're a founder, investor, or executive trying to implement AI without burning millions — this conversation is for you.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – The #1 Problem Founders Have When Pitching Investors01:12 – Michele’s Journey from Federal Leadership to Consulting04:02 – Retiring (Then Becoming a State CTO)06:02 – Public vs. Private Sector: What’s Changing09:52 – The AI Gold Rush and Market Turmoil11:43 – Why Most AI Projects Fail14:47 – Founders Who Solve Engineering Problems No One Buys17:55 – The 15-Word Clarity Test19:38 – Selling Solutions vs. Solving Pain21:19 – AI in Healthcare, Fraud Detection & Law Enforcement23:35 – Robotic Surgery and Real-World AI Applications28:02 – The Trust Problem in AI Adoption30:17 – Control, Fear, and Resistance to Automation33:00 – Deepfakes, Voice Cloning & Security Risks36:17 – Protecting Against AI Fraud39:49 – Transparency, Strategy & Avoiding Costly Failures41:19 – The Future of AI in Business43:00 – Final Thoughts for Founders and Leaders
What this episode covers
Artificial Intelligence is exploding — but 83% of AI projects fail.In this episode of Founder Closures, Matt sits down with Michele Thomas, former federal executive and co-founder of Trusted Tech, to break down why so many startups, founders, and even enterprise companies get AI completely wrong.From investor pitch failures to $15M AI implementation disasters, Michele shares what she learned advising investors, working in federal leadership, and now consulting across public and private sectors.They discuss:-Why founders struggle to communicate their strategy-The real reason AI projects fail (hint: it’s not the code)-Deepfakes, cybersecurity, and trust in AI-Robotic surgery and the future of automation-Why clarity beats hype every timeIf you're a founder, investor, or executive trying to implement AI without burning millions — this conversation is for you.⏱️ Chapters00:00 – The #1 Problem Founders Have When Pitching Investors01:12 – Michele’s Journey from Federal Leadership to Consulting04:02 – Retiring (Then Becoming a State CTO)06:02 – Public vs. Private Sector: What’s Changing09:52 – The AI Gold Rush and Market Turmoil11:43 – Why Most AI Projects Fail14:47 – Founders Who Solve Engineering Problems No One Buys17:55 – The 15-Word Clarity Test19:38 – Selling Solutions vs. Solving Pain21:19 – AI in Healthcare, Fraud Detection & Law Enforcement23:35 – Robotic Surgery and Real-World AI Applications28:02 – The Trust Problem in AI Adoption30:17 – Control, Fear, and Resistance to Automation33:00 – Deepfakes, Voice Cloning & Security Risks36:17 – Protecting Against AI Fraud39:49 – Transparency, Strategy & Avoiding Costly Failures41:19 – The Future of AI in Business43:00 – Final Thoughts for Founders and Leaders
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You Don’t Have an AI Problem — You Have a Strategy Problem | FounderClosers EP. 56
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