AI First with Adam and Andy

Adam Brotman put his OpenClaw agent to work on a real task: identifying small restaurant and cafe concepts for sale, evaluating options, and reaching out to business brokers. The agent moved fast, surfacing viable opportunities and drafting outreach within minutes. It also emailed the wrong person with unapproved information, a concrete example of the autonomy that makes agents powerful and the oversight gaps that make them risky.The episode traces the full arc of the experience: the initial task, the agent's mistake, the correction, and the recovery. By the time Adam returned from dropping his daughter at school, the agent had found strong leads and connected him with a broker. The entire cycle, from mess to productive outcome, took less than 45 minutes.For leaders exploring agentic AI, the takeaway is practical. Agents can accomplish real work autonomously, but they require clear instructions, defined guardrails, and human review at each step. The only way to build that judgment is through direct, hands-on use.

In this episode of AI First, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack sit down with Inflection CEO Aaron Bird to unpack the rise of agentic marketing and what it means for business leaders. The conversation explores how AI is evolving from simple Q&A tools into autonomous agents capable of executing complex marketing workflows—from campaign planning to execution—at scale.The discussion introduces a two-phase framework: first, agents performing tasks humans could do faster and more efficiently; second, agents enabling entirely new capabilities through scale, personalization, and continuous optimization. This shift reframes marketing roles, moving professionals away from execution and toward planning, orchestration, and outcome management.Looking ahead to 2028, the group examines how organizations may transform as agent-driven customer experiences replace traditional functional silos. Marketing, sales, and support roles converge into unified, AI-powered interactions, challenging existing org structures and redefining leadership priorities. The episode closes with practical guidance for executives on accelerating adoption and building agent-first teams.

Andy Sack spent a full day managing a complex writing project through Claude Cowork's dispatch feature, directing his AI agent from his phone between coffee meetings. The result: roughly ten times the output he could have produced working alone. Then at step five of six, the agent told him his files didn't exist.This mini episode captures the full arc of working with AI agents: the invigoration of real-time delegation, the gut punch when things break, and the 90-minute recovery that still left Andy ahead of where he'd have been without agents. Adam Brotman contextualizes the experience, explaining how agents differ from chatbots and why the failures are instructive, not just frustrating.The conversation also covers Andy's rapid skill-building, going from 5 saved skills to 28 in two weeks, and what that signals about how individuals and organizations will work with AI agents going forward.

AI is making teams more productive. The natural instinct is to cut headcount. But that instinct may be costing leaders the bigger opportunity.Adam Brotman and Andy Sack frame AI productivity as a two-sided decision: the denominator (cost reduction) and the numerator (revenue growth, customer experience, innovation). Most executives default to the denominator without asking whether to pursue both, and in what order. They introduce the "exoskeleton" concept, a framework for mapping exactly where AI is improving workflows and capabilities across an organization before making structural changes. Companies like Klarna that moved too fast on cuts had to retrace their steps.This is practical advice for any executive facing the AI productivity question right now: understand the lift before you reorganize around it.

In the first quarter of 2025, Anthropic added what Adam Brotman describes as ""an entire Starbucks of revenue run rate"" in a single quarter, reaching close to $30 billion annualized. That growth, driven by a combination of enterprise API revenue, subscriptions, and a fast-rising consumer base, has put Anthropic on the radar of companies that had previously committed to Copilot, Gemini, or OpenAI.Adam and Andy argue the growth is not just a marketing story. Cowork, they contend, represents a structural shift: from AI as a chat interface to AI as a system of work, with memory, projects, skills, plugins, and connectors that let it execute tasks rather than just advise on them. They also note that Claude has, at this moment, outpaced Microsoft's own tools within Microsoft's native ecosystem.Their advice to business leaders is deliberate: don't wholesale switch, but don't ignore the signal either. Start with five people on a business plan, run a structured experiment with Cowork, and make the decision from evidence rather than momentum.

The AI ecosystem is undergoing rapid realignment as major players - including OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon - reshape partnerships and product strategies. This episode unpacks the implications of Microsoft integrating Anthropic’s Claude Cowork into Copilot, signaling a shift toward agent-driven workflows and intensified competition among frontier model labs.While Anthropic has emerged as the “hottest” provider in early 2026, the broader takeaway is that model performance is converging. Gemini, ChatGPT, and Claude are all advancing rapidly, reducing differentiation at the model level and shifting enterprise focus toward orchestration layers, tooling, and agent capabilities.For executives, the key decision is no longer which model to back, but how to design an effective AI and agent strategy. With rising complexity and low switching costs, organizations should prioritize workflow integration, limit tool sprawl, and experiment strategically, particularly with emerging capabilities like coworking agents that redefine productivity and software development.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Zapier CEO Wade Foster breaks down the evolution from traditional automation to agentic systems. He draws a clear distinction between deterministic workflows and AI agents, explaining why both matter and how leading companies can combine them to improve reliability, speed, and scale.Foster shares how Zapier is repositioning for the AI era, from building agent products and copilots to leveraging its network of more than 8,000 connected tools. He also offers a practical framework for deciding when businesses should use workflows, when to use agents, and why cost, trust, and operational consistency remain critical enterprise considerations.The conversation also explores the future of work, with Foster outlining a model in which high-performing organizations increasingly rely on domain experts managing teams of agents. For executives, the episode offers actionable insight into AI strategy, workforce transformation, hiring for AI fluency, and the leadership mindset required to move from task execution to system design and outcome management.

AI agents are rapidly transforming how consumers interact with the internet, collapsing traditional steps like search, comparison, and decision-making into a single, agent-driven workflow. With a growing majority of consumers already using AI tools, this shift is not incremental, it represents a structural change in digital behavior, where agents increasingly act as the primary interface between users and brands.Emerging use cases, from personalized, AI-generated shopping environments to automated task execution like meal planning and travel booking, highlight how agents are redefining the customer journey. While payment authorization remains a temporary constraint, the trajectory toward fully autonomous transactions is clear and expected to accelerate within months.For executives, this signals a fundamental shift in how brands compete and engage. Success will depend on visibility within AI-driven discovery, ensuring platforms are accessible to agents, and adapting business models to an agent-mediated ecosystem. As agents take over browsing and decisioning, the traditional web experience is being re-architected in real time.

In this AI First mini episode, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack explore the real-world implications of AI agents through Adam’s hands-on experience building one with OpenClaw. They break down what makes an agent different from traditional AI tools, including proactive behavior, memory, computer use, and the ability to operate independently. Adam shares both the excitement and the friction, from complex setup and security concerns to inconsistent performance and early-stage limitations. Despite these challenges, the broader implication is clear. AI agents are evolving into digital coworkers that can monitor information, take action, and continuously improve based on feedback. For executives, this represents a shift away from task execution toward managing outcomes and guiding intelligent systems. The conversation highlights how these tools can increase productivity, reduce manual work, and personalize how work gets done, while reinforcing the importance of control, governance, and trust as adoption scales.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Thanx founder and CEO Zach Goldstein explains why loyalty has become a strategic imperative for restaurants navigating the rise of delivery marketplaces like DoorDash and Uber Eats. Goldstein argues that while third-party platforms are now unavoidable for customer acquisition, restaurants must prioritize direct relationships with guests to protect margins, own their data, and drive repeat traffic.The discussion explores how the rapid digitization of dining since COVID has reshaped the industry and elevated the importance of first-party ordering, CRM systems, and loyalty programs. Goldstein outlines how modern platforms can help restaurants capture customer data, automate personalized marketing, and move beyond broad discounting toward targeted engagement.The group also examines how generative AI is transforming restaurant technology. From natural-language customer segmentation to automated campaign creation and AI-driven guest recovery, new tools are reducing operational friction for marketing teams while improving hospitality. The conversation concludes with practical advice for restaurant leaders adopting AI and a look at how AI agents could reshape the competitive dynamics between restaurants and marketplace platforms.

In this focused mini episode, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack explore how Claude Co-Work is reshaping executive productivity and redefining the future of work. Moving beyond traditional prompt-and-response AI tools, they describe what changes when AI operates directly on your desktop with browser access, document parsing, and step-by-step task execution.Through real examples, from synthesizing board materials and investor updates to rebuilding strategic diagrams and navigating shared drives, they explain how agentic AI reduces friction, increases parallelization, and shifts leaders into a managerial role over virtual agents. Instead of conversing with chatbots, executives begin delegating, orchestrating, and supervising digital coworkers.The discussion highlights a critical inflection point for 2026: the transition from conversational AI to computer-use agents with growing autonomy. For C-suite leaders, this shift is not incremental. It changes how strategy documents are created, how research is conducted, and how time is allocated across priorities.If you are evaluating AI adoption inside your organization, this episode offers a practical, executive-level perspective on what agentic workflows mean today and where autonomous agents are heading next.

As AI capabilities accelerate at a weekly pace, enterprise leaders face a critical question: how do you choose the right AI tools for your organization without compromising security or governance? In this episode, Andy Sack and Adam Brotman provide a CEO-level playbook for becoming AI-first while navigating existing enterprise technology environments.They argue that this moment requires leadership, not delay. Rather than relying on a single platform or waiting for capabilities to mature, executives should empower a focused group of employees with secure, enterprise-grade access to multiple leading AI systems. Clear AI use policies, strong governance, and disciplined experimentation are essential. So is resisting the urge to demand immediate ROI before learning what the technology can unlock.The discussion highlights the importance of portability, organizational change, and hands-on experience with frontier models. Over the next 12 to 24 months, companies that move responsibly but decisively will build internal capability, accelerate learning, and position themselves for meaningful competitive advantage in an AI-first economy.

This episode of AI First with Adam and Andy is an intentional experiment. The script, ideas, and analysis are entirely Adam Brotman and Andy Sack’s own. The on-screen hosts and voice delivery were generated using AI tools as part of a hands-on exploration of what these technologies can and cannot yet do. It is not perfect, and that is precisely the point.In this conversation, Adam and Andy tackle the increasingly popular claim that “software is dead.” Against the backdrop of roughly $830 billion in software market value repricing, they unpack the rise of AI agents, the pressure on seat-based SaaS models, and the market’s tendency toward one-sentence apocalypse narratives.They explain why software is not disappearing but evolving, as the interface shifts from dashboards and logins to ask, decide, execute workflows layered over systems of record. For restaurant and retail operators, this shift has real implications for permissions, audit trails, orchestration layers, and enterprise control.The core message is clear: software is not dying, but the way leaders interact with it is changing.

As AI enters 2026, many enterprises are still measuring success through narrow efficiency gains and license utilization, while missing the larger opportunity for growth and innovation. In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Paul Roetzer breaks down why AI transformation is fundamentally a leadership and change management challenge, not a technology rollout. The conversation explores why delegating AI to IT limits outcomes, how CEOs can raise their own AI literacy, and what it takes to empower teams to find high value use cases across every function. Paul and Adam share executive level examples using tools like NotebookLM and custom GPTs to accelerate strategic planning, competitive analysis, and decision making in ways that were not possible even months ago. They also discuss the rise of agents, why expectations are ahead of reliability, and how leaders should think about staffing and organizational design when AI capabilities evolve every few months. The message for CEOs is clear: leading AI is now part of the core job.

In this mini episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack explore the growing conversation around AI agents and why most executives are still waiting for something that is not fully here yet. They explain why coding agents are advancing fastest and how those lessons apply to non-technical leaders across strategy, marketing, operations, and analytics. Drawing on a hands-on example built over the holidays, they show how executives can combine prompting, context, and existing AI tools to create agentic workflows that accelerate insight and execution without needing clean, centralized data or engineering teams. The discussion addresses common misconceptions about readiness, the gap between hype and reality, and why AI proficiency has become a leadership skill. A grounded, executive-focused conversation on how to capture real value from AI today while true autonomous agents continue to evolve.

In this inside look from an AI First community call, Keith Fairclough, CIO of Cabi, explains how a direct sales women’s apparel brand built AI literacy across the company before chasing shiny use cases. He details the executive bootcamp that aligned leadership, the in person training that drove adoption, and the practices that sustained momentum, including weekly office hours and monthly AI competitions. Keith then shows what the foundation enabled: an AI styling tool that generates on brand outfits from the product catalog, creates shoppable flat lays, and can incorporate a customer’s closet history, plus an early virtual try on capability. He also shares how he used Lovable to create a clickable, gamified POS training prototype using screenshots, helping prepare 2,000 stylists for a Shopify rollout before go live. Practical lessons on culture, governance, and shipping value fast.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Greg Gottesman of Pioneer Square Labs shares hard-earned lessons from nearly three decades as a venture capitalist, founder, and startup studio operator. Greg explains why startups rarely fail due to product or technology challenges, even in today’s AI-driven landscape, and why cost-effective distribution remains the defining constraint for success.The conversation explores how AI has dramatically lowered the cost and speed of building products, intensifying competition while making customer acquisition harder than ever. Greg also offers a clear framework for understanding AI-native companies, contrasting isolated AI teams with organizations where every function uses AI as a core capability. He outlines a future where companies move from humans augmented by AI to AI systems doing the work with humans in oversight roles.For executives and founders navigating AI adoption, this episode provides a grounded perspective on how AI is changing startups, established companies, and the future of work, without hype and with a focus on real business impact.

Are we in an AI bubble, or at the early stages of the most consequential technology shift of our lifetime? In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack unpack the tension executives are feeling as AI investment, valuations, and infrastructure spending accelerate at historic speed.They explore why AI can feel both economically fragile and fundamentally real at the same time, drawing comparisons to the dot-com era while highlighting critical differences, including unprecedented usage growth, enterprise demand, and near-term impact. The conversation examines hyperscaler investment, competing research on AI ROI, market sensitivity to headlines, and what makes AI adoption feel less speculative than past technology cycles.For business leaders navigating strategy, capital allocation, and workforce implications, this episode offers a clear-eyed perspective on risk, opportunity, and why long-term conviction in AI does not eliminate short-term uncertainty.

In this special annual predictions episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack are joined by Rose Kelly, Head of AI Consulting at Forum3, for a fast-paced, candid look at what 2026 will bring for artificial intelligence, business leadership, work, and society.The conversation explores whether CEOs will be hired or fired based on AI strategy, if the AI boom is headed toward a bubble or sustained growth, and how AI will reshape jobs, enterprise tools, and executive decision-making. Adam, Andy, and Rose also unpack the rise of AI-generated media, the growing challenge of distinguishing real from fake online, and why 2026 may mark the beginning of a true post-truth era.Other predictions include the future of ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot in the enterprise, whether voice-first AI becomes mainstream, what’s next for AI-powered devices and hardware, and when humanoid robots may actually appear in everyday life. The episode also examines AI’s role in U.S. politics, regulation, labor markets, and the emerging backlash alongside a growing pro-human movement in creativity and culture.Designed for executives, operators, and builders, this episode goes beyond hype to focus on real-world implications, adoption timelines, and strategic signals leaders should be watching as AI continues to accelerate.

OpenAI’s “code red” memo marks a pivotal moment in the AI landscape. In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack analyze why Sam Altman is sounding the alarm and how the rapid rise of Gemini 3.1 and Google DeepMind is reshaping competitive dynamics across the AI ecosystem.The conversation explores what this shift means for ChatGPT’s long-held dominance, whether OpenAI is stretching itself too thin, and how Anthropic’s focused strategy in enterprise and coding compares to OpenAI’s broader ambitions. Adam and Andy also examine the role of user experience, product design, memory features, and advanced voice interfaces in determining which model will win long-term market share.For business leaders, this episode delivers clear insight into how the AI platform race is evolving, what signals matter, and why the future may involve using multiple models rather than relying on a single provider.A candid and practical breakdown of one of the most important competitive moments in generative AI to date.

The 2025 Year in Review episode of AI First with Adam and Andy offers an in-depth look at what truly shaped the AI landscape this year. Hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack revisit the predictions they made at the end of 2024 and evaluate how those expectations aligned with real developments across search, agentic systems, generative video, large language models, enterprise adoption, and the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure.This episode explores how AI search evolved without significantly weakening Google’s dominance, why reasoning models became the unexpected breakthrough of 2025, and how xAI and Elon Musk surged into greater influence. Adam and Andy also examine Apple’s limited progress in AI, the rise of new competitive pressures among leading AI labs, and the public debate around an emerging AI bubble.For executives seeking clarity, the conversation highlights the shifts that matter for 2026, including regulatory uncertainty, the slowing but still resilient labor market, and the widening gap between infrastructure advancements and consumer-facing applications. With transparent commentary and practical insights, Adam and Andy cut through hype and offer a grounded, strategic view of where AI is headed next.Ideal for leaders building AI roadmaps, this episode delivers essential perspective on the year’s biggest developments and lessons.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we sit down with Benji Koltai, co-founder and CEO of Galley Solutions, to unpack how AI is transforming one of the most complex operational environments: the kitchen.Benji shares the personal story that led him to build Galley and reveals why most food service companies still operate using analog systems and spreadsheets. He explains how Galley’s recipe-first, culinary resource planning platform gives kitchens a true “system of record”, enabling better planning, reduced waste, improved labor efficiency, and scalable operations.The discussion also dives into AI adoption: why teams must learn to “ask AI first,” how LLMs now support everything from recipe digitization to customer support, and why leaders need to address the philosophical and emotional barriers employees face when bringing AI into their workflow.Whether you're in food service, technology, or simply curious about vertical AI and the future of operations, this episode offers a thoughtful look at how data, systems of record, and generative AI come together to reshape an entire industry.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Andy Sack and Adam Brotman unpack one of the most common questions they hear from executives: which AI model should your organization use? Andy explains why comfort, workflow, and use case matter more than brand loyalty, and why toggling between models is a powerful way to learn their strengths.The conversation turns to the launch of Gemini 3, including Adam’s early impressions of its increased speed, stronger reasoning, and more agentic behavior. They explore what this shift means for enterprise AI and why companies should never limit themselves to a single model for every team and task.Whether you are leading an AI initiative, managing adoption across departments, or experimenting on your own, this episode offers clear, practical guidance on building a flexible, resilient, AI-first culture.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack explore a recent New York Times opinion piece by Eric Schmidt and Andrew Sirota titled “Use AI to Reinvigorate Democracy, Not Replace It.” The article highlights examples from Albania and Taiwan, showing how governments are already using AI to reduce corruption, analyze constituent feedback, and create more responsive policies.Adam and Andy reflect on the larger question behind these stories. AI can help leaders synthesize information, listen to the public more effectively, and make smarter decisions faster. But turning decision-making over to the algorithm risks accountability, trust, and democratic values. They also discuss why governments need AI literacy, training, and communities of practice to ensure these tools are used in ways that strengthen institutions rather than weaken them.A thoughtful look at how AI could shape the future of governance.

Adam Brotman and Andy Sack unpack the true meaning of AI First. Too many executives still treat AI as a tool for efficiency. But as Andy explains, AI is an “alien intelligence” that reshapes how organizations think, plan, and operate. Together, Adam and Andy explore the difference between being AI-curious and being truly AI-first, a shift that requires courage, cultural change, and daily use across every function. Listen in to understand why AI First isn’t just a strategy; it’s the future of work.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, IgniteTech CEO Eric Vaughan offers a candid inside look at one of the boldest AI transformations in enterprise software. After realizing that AI was an existential shift for his company, Vaughan led IgniteTech and its sister companies through a sweeping cultural reinvention that ultimately turned over 80% of staff to build what he calls an AI DNA organization.Vaughan, alongside hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack, unpacks the messy middle of change, from resistance within technical teams to the importance of belief and mindset, and the challenge of moving fast without losing operational stability. He shares how IgniteTech’s teams now create new products in weeks instead of quarters, integrate multiple LLMs across workflows, and empower every employee to innovate through AI.This conversation reveals what it truly takes to be an AI-first CEO, from funding experimentation and rethinking org design to cultivating a company culture where AI is not just a tool but part of every employee’s daily toolkit.

In this bite-size episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts tackle one of the most common misconceptions in enterprise AI adoption: that you need a perfect data lake before you can begin.Adam and Andy explain why this “wait until the data is ready” mindset slows innovation and how forward-thinking leaders are getting results now by experimenting with the data they already have. Through real client examples, they contrast the old IT-led playbook with a faster, executive-driven approach that emphasizes iteration, accessibility, and speed.If you have ever wondered when to start your AI-first transformation, the answer is simple: today.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack explore what it really takes for organizations to transform with AI. They argue that the journey doesn’t begin with data lakes, councils, or playbooks, it begins with leadership.The conversation dives into why CEOs need their own “aha moment,” how to empower internal change agents, and what it looks like when teams stop waiting for readiness and start making better decisions, faster. Adam also shares a real-world example of helping a CEO unlock major business value using GPT-5 Pro in just minutes.It’s a candid look at the mindset, culture, and urgency that define truly AI-first companies.

The global economy is undergoing a seismic shift that rivals the Industrial Revolution in scale and impact. In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts dive into the massive recent deals shaping the AI landscape, from Nvidia’s multibillion-dollar investment in OpenAI to OpenAI’s unprecedented infrastructure agreement with Oracle.Far from being financial hype, these moves point to a deeper truth: we are still at the very beginning of the AI era, and the next five years will demand enormous investments in data centers, compute, and energy to power this transformation. Andy and Adam explain why executives should look beyond the headline numbers, what this means for the future of knowledge work, and how AI will reshape global productivity at every level.

In this special three-part episode, AI First with Adam and Andy follows Influence Mobile CEO Dan Todd through a 90-day journey to become an AI-first company. Listeners will hear how a 65-person team with $40–50 million in revenue moved from scattered experimentation to structured adoption. Dan shares how they introduced enterprise ChatGPT and Gemini, tracked usage, and built momentum through Slack contests and creative prompt sharing. The conversation covers measurable wins such as developers cutting project time by more than half, marketing and BI teams using AI for deeper insights, and leadership leading by example. Dan also discusses the pitfalls of AI use, including accuracy risks and lessons from one costly prompt mistake. This candid case study offers a real-world look at AI transformation in progress, giving business leaders practical takeaways to accelerate their own journey toward AI-first operations.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack sit down with Jennifer Strickland Fowler, CEO of Destination Pet, a rapidly growing company with over 160 pet care centers across 34 states. Jennifer shares her journey from human healthcare into pet care leadership and how her perspective on AI has shifted dramatically in the last year.She explains how Destination Pet now uses AI to accelerate competitive analysis, streamline recruiting, evaluate vendors, and free up staff to spend more time with pets and their owners. Jennifer also offers a CEO’s perspective on AI as a “thought partner” and “co-pilot,” helping her team spark creativity, improve efficiency, and deliver a better customer experience. This candid conversation highlights the real-world, non-linear ROI of AI adoption in a relationship-driven service business.

In this special mini-episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack dig into two of the biggest AI stories making headlines.They start with the recent MIT study that fueled a viral Fortune headline claiming 95% of corporate AI projects fail. Adam explains what the research actually found, from the limitations of wrapper apps to the importance of micro use cases and realistic measures of success. Together, Adam and Andy highlight why leaders should avoid getting distracted by shiny solutions and instead double down on the small, practical wins that drive real business value.Then the conversation turns to OpenAI’s release of ChatGPT-5. With polarized reactions ranging from disappointment to awe, Adam and Andy cut through the noise to share their perspective on where GPT-5 truly fits in the broader AI landscape. They explore how the frontier models are advancing together, why expectations matter, and what the “trough of disillusionment” means for businesses today.This episode is a candid, hype-free look at what’s really happening in AI innovation, and what leaders should be paying attention to now.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we’re joined by Henrik Werdelin and Nicholas Thorne, co-founders of Audos and authors of Me, My Customer, and AI. Drawing on decades of entrepreneurial experience, they share how AI is transforming not just the pace of innovation, but the very nature of what it means to build a business.From the rise of small, agile, high-impact companies to the new competitive moats grounded in relationships, community, and trust, Henrik and Nicholas reveal why the AI era rewards entrepreneurs who start with their customers and stay deeply connected to them. The conversation explores “Entrepreneurship 3.0,” the end of the SaaS era as we know it, and practical ways AI can accelerate product launches, scale customer relationships, and create sustainable growth.Whether you’re leading a global brand or launching your first venture, this episode offers a clear-eyed look at how to thrive in a business landscape moving at AI speed.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we’re joined by Keith Fairclough, CIO of Cabi, a women’s apparel brand with a national network of over 2,000 independent stylists. Keith walks us through how he went from early AI experimentation to spearheading a full-scale transformation at Cabi, turning curiosity into capability across the entire company.Keith breaks down the lessons from their AI bootcamp with Forum3, the structure they built to scale adoption (including org-wide training, AI office hours, and GPT competitions), and real use cases now saving time and expanding output, from automated marketing retouching to a custom GPT for IT sprint planning. He also shares what didn’t work, including missteps around executive involvement and building out an AI champions team.If you’re a leader looking to scale AI across your organization, not just implement tools, this episode offers a front-row seat to what it looks like to lead with vision, structure, and practicality.

In this special episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we go global with our first international guest, Shawn Walchef, founder of Cali BBQ and Cali BBQ Media, joining us from Bulgaria. Shawn shares how he’s using AI not just to support operations, but to fuel real innovation across both his restaurant and media businesses.He walks us through a game-changing Father’s Day activation where a voice AI agent, trained on his own podcast content and voice, answered 150+ customer calls, freeing up his team and driving record-breaking sales. He also explains how AI has become his remote creative partner, helping him turn iPhone clips into full media assets while traveling in Istanbul.From launching voice tech in his BBQ shops to using ChatGPT for deep market research on potential family investments, Shawn is a masterclass in AI-first thinking. His stories show how any business, no matter how local, can scale globally and strategically with the right AI mindset.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, author and tech thinker Steven Johnson shares the surprising origin story of Google’s NotebookLM. Learn how a writer’s personal obsession with note-taking turned into a viral AI-native product now transforming enterprise workflows.

AI First: A Playbook for Future-Proofing Your Business and Brand in the AI Era is officially out, and the world of AI has moved fast since we submitted the manuscript nine months ago. In this special launch-day episode, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack bring listeners behind the scenes to reflect on what has changed, what didn’t make it into the book, and what leaders need to be thinking about right now.From Sam Altman’s viral blog post The Gentle Singularity to the rapid rise of reasoning models, autonomous agents, and early signs of economic disruption, this episode is a candid look at how fast the AI landscape is evolving.Topics discussed include:Why we’ve crossed the threshold into the AGI eraThe real-world impact of reasoning models and AI agentsWhy AI-related job disruption is already startingThe need for AGI Horizon Councils and AI R&D labsHow shifting consumer behavior is challenging Google’s dominanceWhat we would add to the playbook todayThis episode serves as a real-time epilogue to the book and a preview of what’s next for AI-first leaders.

Fresh from the floor of the Food on Demand Conference in Las Vegas, Adam Brotman and Andy Sack unpack what’s top of mind for today’s restaurant leaders. In this episode, they reflect on the slowdown in digital growth, rising consumer price sensitivity, and the evolving challenges facing operators in 2025.They also explore how AI is transitioning from hype to practical application, powering smarter decisions in areas such as guest feedback, menu optimization, and operational efficiency. With insight, clarity, and candor, Adam and Andy offer a timely recap of where the industry is headed and what brands can do right now to unlock sustainable growth.

Commercial Real Estate brokerage is a $100B market, yet still stuck and manual as ever.In this episode, Joe Lee, CEO and founder of Locate.ai, shares how his company is using predictive AI and generative AI to transform the way national enterprises transact and expand into brick-and-mortar.  From boosting store sales by 15% and increasing broker throughput by 3x, Joe breaks down what it means to truly be an AI-first company in an antiquated industry. 

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we sit down with Matt Britton, Founder & CEO of Suzy, to explore how AI is transforming the way businesses operate. Matt shares his personal “aha” moment with AI, how he applied those insights to revolutionize his company, and why he believes CEOs must lead the charge in AI adoption—or risk getting left behind.We dive into Suzy’s AI-driven evolution, the challenges of integrating AI in a fast-moving company, and the mindset shifts executives need to stay competitive. Matt also offers a three-step framework for identifying business problems AI can solve and explains why speed is the new competitive advantage in today’s AI-first world.If you’re a business leader looking to future-proof your company, this episode is packed with actionable insights on leveraging AI for real business impact.Topics Covered: Matt’s journey from social media pioneer to AI-first CEO How he built a personal AI assistant before applying AI to SuzyOvercoming legal, engineering, and cultural roadblocks in AI adoption The biggest mistake companies make with AI (and how to avoid it) Why AI is bigger than mobile and social media—combined

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts dive into a dynamic conversation with Nick Soman, CEO of Decent and an AI-first leader. They explore how Nick leverages multiple large language models to act as an "Iron Man suit" for his business, enabling his team to punch above their weight and unlock new levels of efficiency and innovation. The discussion highlights the transformative potential of AI, from revolutionizing industries like healthcare to empowering startups with tools once reserved for top-tier consultants. In the follow-up commentary, Adam and Andy debrief their conversation with Nick Soman, CEO of Decent, exploring how AI empowers leaders and businesses to accomplish much more with much less. They discuss the two "aha" moments of AI adoption and its ROI for companies of all sizes. With a focus on healthcare, they highlight how AI’s ability to analyze vast data and provide personalized insights can revolutionize industries. The episode underscores the critical need for AI literacy to unlock its transformative potential.

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, we sit down with Andrew Katz, Chief Marketing Officer at Athletic Brewing, to explore how AI is reshaping marketing in the CPG industry. Andrew shares his hands-on approach to integrating AI into daily workflows, the role of GenAI in creative ideation, and the challenges of navigating the attention economy.We dive into:How AI is optimizing marketing decisions and media spendWhy consumer sentiment is still hesitant about AI-generated creativeThe future of AI in brand awareness and product positioningLessons for CPG executives looking to embrace AI

In this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, Fred Crosetto, founder of AMMEX, reveals how a traditional company became a global AI innovator. From automating HR with a 68% self-service rate to transforming supply chain and marketing processes, Fred offers a masterclass in leadership during technological disruption.Topics include:Breaking down barriers to AI adoption in non-tech companies.The strategic role of data readiness in unlocking AI’s potential.Balancing innovation and cultural alignment in global operations.Whether you’re a CEO, entrepreneur, or industry leader, Fred’s journey will inspire you to act on the transformative power of AI today.

On this episode of AI First with Adam and Andy, the hosts sit down with Jeff Bussgang — Harvard Business School professor, venture capitalist, and author of The Experimentation Machine. Together, they explore how AI is reshaping startup formation, product-market fit, and business strategy. Following the interview, Adam and Andy share their expert commentary, diving deeper into the transformative insights from Jeff and their implications for business leaders.Topics include:How AI tools can make founders 10x more effective.The rise of AI agents and their impact on workforce transformation.Shifting dynamics between startups and incumbents in the AI era.What founders and business leaders must do to stay competitive in the AI-first future.Packed with actionable insights, real-world examples, and reflective commentary, this episode is a must-listen for entrepreneurs, investors, and executives navigating the generative AI revolution."

Join hosts Andy Sack and Adam Brotman as they sit down with Hugh Weber, President of Business Operations at Seattle Sounders FC, to explore how AI is reshaping sports management. Hugh dives into the team’s AI journey, revealing game-changing strategies, cultural shifts, and key lessons from integrating AI into operations. Hear firsthand about the productivity boosts, decision-making insights, and the challenges of embracing innovation in a fast-paced industry. Plus, Andy and Adam’s post-episode commentary delves into the future of AI—unpacking agentic AI, text-to-action capabilities, and strategic planning for businesses looking to harness AI’s full potential. Don’t miss this compelling conversation about the present and future of AI in sports and beyond.

In this episode of AI First with Adam & Andy, our hosts discuss insights from their interview with Neil Patel, focusing on the impact of AI on consumer behavior, the importance of SEO and GEO for business leaders, and strategies for future-proofing businesses through AI. They explore how consumer behavior has shifted with the rise of AI, the need for businesses to adapt their marketing strategies, and the role of AI tools in enhancing brand awareness and product improvement.

Marketing visionary Neil Patel, Co-Founder of NP Digital, breaks down how AI is reshaping search, SEO, and brand strategy. As AI-driven platforms like ChatGPT, Google AI Overviews, and Instagram Search become the new gatekeepers of information, Neil reveals why businesses must move beyond traditional SEO and embrace "Search Everywhere Optimization."Neil gives a masterclass on how AI is influencing consumer behavior and what it means for Google’s dominance, the role of brand visibility and real estate in AI search results, why brand mentions are the new word-of-mouth marketing, and how companies can future-proof their digital presence. Neil also shares real-world strategies for optimizing across AI-driven platforms, leveraging generative search, and maintaining a competitive edge in a rapidly evolving landscape.Whether you're a founder, marketer, or executive, this episode is jam-packed with insights you can't afford to miss.

In this episode of AI First, hosts Adam Brotman and Andy Sack engage with Brice Challamel, VP of AI Products and Platforms at Moderna, to discuss the transformative impact of generative AI on business operations. Brice shares how Moderna has successfully integrated AI into its culture, enhancing decision-making processes, productivity, and cross-functional collaboration. The discussion highlights actionable strategies for promoting AI adoption, addressing cultural shifts, and overcoming resistance to change.In the follow-up commentary, Adam and Andy reflect on their conversation with Brice, emphasizing the strategic implications of AI adoption and looking ahead to upcoming advancements like agentic AI and text-to-action capabilities. They provide practical advice for leaders aiming to integrate AI into their organizations.

Welcome to the inaugural episode of AI First with Adam and Andy! Kicking off the new year, hosts Andy Sack and Adam Brotman share their bold predictions for AI in 2025. From the rise of AI-powered search and agentic AI to Apple's big move into artificial intelligence, this episode explores the trends set to disrupt businesses, reshape industries, and influence our daily lives.Topics include:Will AI search finally challenge Google’s dominance?Why 2025 is the year of agentic AI and generative video.How Apple and Elon Musk’s X.AI will transform the AI landscape.The surprising intersection of AI and Web3.Join Adam and Andy as they break down these trends and explain what business leaders need to know to stay ahead in the AI-first future.