Chuck Yates Needs A Job Digital Wildcatters

In this rollicking episode of "Chuck Yates Needs a Job," I, the perpetually clueless host, Chuck Yates, bumble my way through the mind-blowing world of AI with Jag Gattu, the genius Founder & CEO of UptimeAI Inc. Buckle up as I try to wrap my old-school brain around how AI is basically becoming the Yoda of industrial operations, solving problems faster than I can say, "What’s a Wi-Fi?"
Here's the scoop: We’re losing those seasoned experts who could fix anything with a wrench and a glare. Enter UptimeAI, Jag’s brainchild, which acts like a virtual expert, connecting all the tech dots to make refineries, power plants, and other heavy industries run smoother than a greased-up slide. While I try to figure out how to turn on my own microphone, Jag breaks down how AI is diagnosing issues and making operations safer, more efficient, and a heck of a lot more profitable.
Jag also takes a contrarian dive into the moral and societal impacts of AI, which is way more interesting than my usual rants about kids these days. We chat about the future of AI and how startups like UptimeAI are leading the charge. Oh, and did I mention Jag’s inspiring backstory? It involves his dad, water treatment plants, and a lot of smarts—none of which I can relate to.
So, join us for some laughs, a few tech-induced head scratches, and a whole lot of insight into how AI is kicking butt in heavy industries. Don’t worry, I’ll still be here, fumbling with my tech and making sure you’re entertained.
0:00 - Intro1:15 - What is Uptime AI4:18 - What is AI11:14 - Is AI Good or Bad13:45 - What Rules Would You Make16:39 - The Impact of AI on Democracy20:22 - Why Did You Start UptimeAI23:56 - The Great Crew Change27:18 - The Next Level of Efficiency31:55 - Looking at the Whole Picture33:55 - Starting a Company34:21 - Starting a Company During COVID39:08 - Your First Sale44:00 - How Did You Finance Your Business47:35 - Advice for CEOs51:47 - Who Should Call You53:33 - How Much Does It Cost
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I had Travis on the podcast and we just name dropped for an hour.  Yeah, we talked a bunch of energy stuff - Halcon and the shale revolution, debt deals with Oak Tree, nuclear powering tech, hydrocarbons powering the developing world - but then we went through celebrity encounters - Justin Timberlake, Jeff Skilling, Michael Milken, Bret Michael, David Lee Roth.  The only thing strange about this energy finance bro hash session was we weren’t wearing Pickering Energy vests.
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I wanted to learn more about lithium because this mineral is a big deal for batteries.  Phones EVs everything needs lithium.  So I had the guys from International Battery Metals on to talk lithium and their extraction methodology.  Direct lithium extraction (DLE) is a thing, a real thing, even Exxon is doing it.  Think about it, oil and gas guys, if you got waste water, why aren’t you extracting the lithium?
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Always cool getting to chat with Kathleen Kelley a/k/a the OPEC Whisperer.  She’s doing some really cool charity stuff, volunteer led disaster relief with All Hands and Hearts.  She also level sets us on oil prices - demand, supply, China, Middle East unrest.
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I had heard all about the Midland County school bond election last winter. $1.4 billion for new buildings, upgrading old ones, new technology.  I didn’t realize that right next door the Ector County Independent School District had a similar election for $423 million that passed too.   A large part of the proceeds will be used for the  Career & Technical Education Center.  CTE sounds totally dope - trains high school kids for real world stuff like welding, rig operations, electrical, roustabouting.  Longtime active Odessa resident Kevin Searcy was kind enough to come on and walk me all through the ECISD’s initiatives.

The head of Stephens Inc.’s Energy practice told me he’s got family offices investing in oil and gas.  I cried “bull shit, that’s up there with UFOs, Bigfoot and pleasant ex-wives.”  Keith doth protest so I had him, Brad Nelson and Evan Smith on to convince me otherwise.  Cool discussion on family offices - how to find them, how they operate, how they view the energy world.