#223: AI Answers - AI Washing, Flatter Org Charts, Advice for Students, Agent Security & the AI Writing Gap

2026-07-02

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The questions people ask about AI have changed. A year ago, they wanted to know what ChatGPT was; now they're asking how to redesign workflows around agents and whether a model can be trained the way a person is. In this AI Answers episode, Paul Roetzer and Cathy McPhillips take on fifteen of them, straight from our Intro to AI classes. From choosing two or three models on a tight budget to building an AI virtual twin without sacrificing authenticity, it's a snapshot of where practitioners' thinking actually is right now. 00:00:00 — I...

From choosing two or three models on a tight budget to building an AI virtual twin without sacrificing authenticity, it's a snapshot of where practitioners' thinking actually is right now.

00:00:00 — Intro

00:5:59 How do you balance bottom-up experimentation with CEO-level strategy?

00:9:49 How do you move from restricting AI to enabling it?

00:11:36 How do you pick two or three models on a budget?

00:14:30 How do you evaluate vendors amid AI washing?

00:17:13 Frontier models, small models, or edge AI?

00:20:52 What are the security risks of autonomous agents?

00:25:02 Do AI models really behave like people?

00:30:25 How do you prove AI value with only basic tools?

00:32:02 How do you build a 24/7 AI virtual twin?

00:37:17 How do you close the human vs. AI writing gap?

00:40:26 Which skills gain value as AI takes over workflows?

00:42:57 Automate, augment, or keep it human?

00:47:20 Why flatten management instead of upskilling it?

00:50:51 Who's responsible for AI's economic fallout?

00:53:05 What advice would you give a college student?

Show Notes: Access the show notes and show links here

This episode is brought to you by AI for Business Bootcamp by SmarterX — a single-day event in Columbus, Ohio on July 16th, built for professionals and leaders ready to accelerate AI adoption and value creation. The day moves from a state-of-AI keynote into two hands-on workshops on AI productivity and AI innovation, and you'll leave with an actionable plan for yourself and your team. AI Academy members and groups get discounted pricing. Use code POD100 for $100 off your ticket. Learn more at SmarterX.ai/events.

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