AI with Kai

TSPN

AI with Kai is a quick, easy-to-follow podcast for business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to understand how AI can actually help their work. In about 20 minutes each week, get the latest AI news, real-world business insights, and practical tips you can use right away with The Rundown, The Spotlight, and The Playbook. Hosted by Kai Gray.

Episodes

  1. How Malouf Furniture uses AI to work smarter: Gardner Malouf on retail, culture, and customer experience

    May 19

    How Malouf Furniture uses AI to work smarter: Gardner Malouf on retail, culture, and customer experience

    What happens when a third-generation furniture retailer starts building an AI operating system for their business? In Episode 6 of AI with Kai, we break down the five biggest AI stories this week and then sit down with Gardner Malouf, owner and president of Malouf Furniture & Design, to talk about how AI is reshaping customer experience, operations, communication, and retail strategy. Gardner shares how his Gulf Coast furniture company is using AI tools like Claude, ElevenLabs, AI receptionists, and custom data systems to improve both employee and customer experience without losing the human side of the business. This episode is packed with practical insight for small business owners trying to move beyond disconnected AI experiments and toward real operational transformation. The Rundown: 5 AI Stories You Need to KnowAnthropic launches Claude for Small BusinessNew research shows most SMBs are still stuck in AI experimentationOpenAI upgrades ChatGPT image generationAI-generated marketing and design tools keep improvingVisita launches fully agentic AI for small business workflows The Spotlight: Gardner Malouf, Maloof Furniture & DesignGardner explains: Why employee experience comes before customer experienceHow COVID exposed communication problems in retailWhat it means to build an “AI operating system”Why most AI projects failHow they’re using ElevenLabs for voiceoversThe future of AI-powered retail experiencesWhy he believes AI should empower employees, not replace them Learn more about Maloof Furniture & Design: Malouf Furniture & Design The PlaybookKai breaks down “argumentative prompting,” a practical prompting technique that helps AI challenge ideas instead of simply agreeing with you. You’ll learn: Why AI tends to be overly agreeableHow to make AI argue both sides of an ideaHow argumentative prompting improves decision-makingBetter ways to validate business ideas with AI Visit AI with Kai for more episodes, tools, and practical AI insights for business leaders.

    26 min
  2. How an Amazon HR Leader Is Helping Women Use AI: Marie Kline on She Leads AI and the future of work

    May 5

    How an Amazon HR Leader Is Helping Women Use AI: Marie Kline on She Leads AI and the future of work

    What does AI look like when it moves from buzzword to everyday work? In Episode 5 of AI with Kai, we break down the latest AI stories business leaders should be watching, including what happens when AI agents are given too much access, how privacy filters could protect sensitive information, and why workplace AI agents are becoming more practical for teams. Then Kai sits down with Marie Kline, a global tech HR executive at Amazon, trained Amazon Bar Raiser, founder of She Leads AI, and founder of a new AI startup called Client Intelligence. Marie shares her journey from Robertsdale, Alabama to working inside one of the world’s most important AI environments, and why she believes AI is not here to replace people, but to enhance what they can do. 🔹 The Rundown: 5 AI Stories You Need to Know A Claude-powered AI agent reportedly wipes a startup’s database and backupsOpenAI releases a privacy filter model to help redact personally identifiable informationChatGPT Workspace Agents bring team-based agents closer to everyday business useChatGPT Images 2.0 adds reasoning for more complex image creationWhy AI agents need clear permissions, guardrails, and deployment hygiene 🔹 The Spotlight: Marie Kline, Amazon / She Leads AI Marie works in global tech HR at Amazon supporting ads and core AI organizations. She is also a trained Amazon Bar Raiser and the founder of She Leads AI, a Lower Alabama community helping women, moms, business owners, and busy professionals learn how to use AI in practical ways. In the conversation, Marie talks about: Her path from Robertsdale, Alabama to AmazonWhat an Amazon Bar Raiser does in the hiring processHow AI is changing HR, hiring, onboarding, compliance, and productivityWhy AI should be viewed as an enhancer, not a replacementHow busy professionals can use AI tools to simplify their work and personal livesThe story behind launching She Leads AIWhy people who refuse to learn AI may be at a disadvantage One of the strongest takeaways: “You won’t be replaced by AI. You’ll be replaced by somebody who knows how to use AI.” 🔹 The Playbook: Map Your Data Sources Before you try to add AI to your business, you need to know where your business information actually lives. This week’s move: List every place your business stores dataInclude databases, spreadsheets, apps, CRMs, emails, project tools, documents, and internal systemsLook for hidden or scattered sources of informationStart thinking about what data AI would need in order to actually help your business Most businesses think they have one main data source. Once they start looking, they often find many more. That matters because AI is only as useful as the information it can access and understand. 🔗 Links & Resources She Leads AI Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1346686614147749 She Leads AI on Instagram: @sheleadsai_ AI with Kai: https://www.aiwithkai.com/ 🎯 Key Takeaway AI is not just a tool for technical teams. It can help with hiring, HR, compliance, business operations, productivity, and everyday decision-making. The opportunity is not just in having access to AI. The advantage goes to the people who actually learn how to use it.

    31 min
  3. How a Health & Performance Business Uses AI to Save Hours: Blake Martin on research and data cleanup

    Apr 28

    How a Health & Performance Business Uses AI to Save Hours: Blake Martin on research and data cleanup

    What does AI actually look like inside a real business?In Episode 4 of AI with Kai, we break down the five biggest AI stories this week and then go beyond the headlines with Blake Martin, Director of Coaching & Performance at Telomere and Co-founder of Connexus Clinic. Blake shares how he’s using AI inside a growing healthcare business to save time, clean data, and make better decisions without adding complexity. 🔹 The Rundown: 5 AI Stories You Need to KnowMicrosoft rolls out “vibe working” with Copilot agent modeGoogle makes Gmail and Drive searchable by conversationSalesforce adds AI to all SMB plans for freeMicrosoft Teams flags AI bots in meetingsShopify releases an open-source AI toolkit 🔹 The Spotlight: Blake Martin (Telomere / Connexus Clinic)Blake is working at the intersection of health, performance, and data and using AI in practical ways that immediately save time. Here’s how he’s using it:Running competitor analysis across multiple websites in minutesCleaning messy spreadsheets instantly instead of hours of manual workSupporting marketing and decision-making with AI insightsTesting tools like Claude vs ChatGPT to find what works best One of the most practical takeaways: “Instead of visiting 10 different websites… I’m plugging them into Claude and it’s doing the analysis for me, saving me hours.” 🔹 The Playbook: Use Projects (Game Changer)If you’re asking AI the same thing over and over, you’re missing one of the most powerful features. This week’s move: Create a Project in ChatGPT, Claude, or PerplexityLoad it with context, documents, and goalsLet AI build memory around your work Examples: A podcast project (like this show)A business workflowEven a personal/home project Once you start using projects, AI becomes far more useful and consistent. 🔗 Links & ResourcesConnexus Clinic: https://www.theconnexusclinic.com/AI with Kai: https://www.aiwithkai.com/Connect with Blake: https://www.linkedin.com/in/blake-martin-64087631/ 🎯 Key TakeawayAI isn’t about replacing people. It’s about removing the repetitive work that slows you down. The advantage goes to the people who actually use it.

    26 min
  4. How a CPA Uses AI to Make Better Decisions Faster: Micah Wheeler on Smarter Research

    Apr 14

    How a CPA Uses AI to Make Better Decisions Faster: Micah Wheeler on Smarter Research

    In this episode of AI with Kai, we break down the five biggest AI stories this week and then go beyond the headlines with a real-world conversation from the Gulf Coast. You’ll hear how a CPA firm is using AI to speed up research, improve decision-making, and rethink how work gets done without needing to be “technical.” If you’ve ever wondered how AI fits into industries like accounting or finance, this episode gives you a clear, practical look. 🔥 This Week’s Big 5 (AI News That Matters)Anthropic’s new model raises concerns after identifying software vulnerabilities faster than everSlack rolls out 30+ new AI tools for paid users, including daily recaps and workflow featuresVisa introduces agentic commerce, preparing for AI to make purchases on behalf of usersMicrosoft Copilot pricing changes raise questions about ROI for businessesGoogle expands AI video and avatar tools inside Workspace for easier content creation 💡 Real Business Use Case: Micah Wheeler (Wilkins Miller)Kai sits down with Micah Wheeler, partner at Wilkins Miller, to talk about how AI is being used inside a modern accounting firm. Key takeaways: Moving from Google searches to AI conversations for faster researchUsing AI as a thinking partner, not just a toolWhy organized data is becoming a major competitive advantageThe importance of validating AI outputs with source informationHow AI is shortening the gap between question and answerWhy security and data privacy are still slowing adoption 🛠️ The Playbook: Build Your Slide Deck as a Website Still using PowerPoint or Keynote? This week’s practical tip walks through a faster, more dynamic approach: Use AI to generate your presentation as a webpageAdd interactive elements, transitions, and mediaShare it instantly with a simple linkSkip the friction of traditional slide tools Try it with tools like: ChatGPT (Canvas)Claude (Artifacts) 🌊 Learn More About This Episode’s Guest Wilkins Miller 👉 https://www.wilkinsmiller.com 🔗 Links & ResourcesAI tools mentioned: ChatGPTClaudePerplexityMicrosoft CopilotNotebookLM Learn more about the show: https://aiwithkai.com (if/when live) ⚡ Quick TakeawayYou don’t need to be technical to use AI. Start by using it as a thinking partner, ask better questions, and let it help you get to answers faster.

    23 min
  5. How Economic Developers Use AI to Work Smarter: Lee Johnson on Dashboards & Data

    Apr 7

    How Economic Developers Use AI to Work Smarter: Lee Johnson on Dashboards & Data

    In this episode of AI with Kai, host Kai Gray and producer Tim Scott break down the week’s most important AI stories for real business leaders — including Oracle’s major AI-driven layoffs, why many CEOs are misapplying AI according to Bain Capital, new 2026 HR compliance risks, and how AI is reshaping entry-level jobs and college majors. In the Spotlight, Lee Johnson, Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development at Baldwin EMC, shares how he’s using AI right now as a department of one to build custom dashboards, track legislation in real time, generate leads, and support smarter economic development on the Gulf Coast. Kai wraps up with a simple Playbook tactic: journal (or audio journal) your week to quickly spot where AI can remove the biggest points of friction in your work. Timestamps 00:00 – Welcome & intro01:00 – The Rundown: Key AI stories for business leaders01:30 – Oracle reallocates $8–10B via layoffs to fund AI efforts02:45 – Bain Capital’s David Gross: Why CEOs are misapplying AI03:45 – SHRM 2026 State of AI in HR: Compliance risks and Alabama notes05:00 – AI reshaping campus-to-career paths: 47% of students considering major changes07:00 – Spotlight: Lee Johnson on practical AI in economic development19:00 – Playbook: Start a business journal this week21:30 – Wrap-up The Rundown – Five AI Stories You Need to Know Oracle’s AI-Driven Layoffs — Oracle laid off thousands to reallocate $8–10 billion into AI infrastructure. → CNBC Report → The Next Web CoverageBain Capital on Misapplying AI — David Gross warns that treating AI like just another tool misses the real opportunity: redesigning workflows around it. → Bloomberg InterviewSHRM State of AI in HR 2026 — 19 large U.S. states have AI laws affecting hiring; only 57% of HR pros know them. Alabama relies on existing anti-discrimination rules. → SHRM ReportAI and the Future of College Majors — A new study finds 47% of college students have considered changing majors because of AI’s impact on entry-level jobs. → Gallup/Lumina Survey → Inside Higher Ed Summary Spotlight Highlights – Lee Johnson, Baldwin EMC Lee explains how he uses AI to optimize government affairs, build real-time legislative dashboards, distill data for business recruitment, and treat AI as an extension of his team — all while navigating the growing demand for data centers and the associated power challenges on the Gulf Coast. Guest Bio & Links Lee Johnson is Vice President of External Affairs and Economic Development at Baldwin EMC, Alabama’s largest electric cooperative. He brings 15+ years of experience in economic development and prior work at TVA. → Baldwin EMC Announcement → Baldwin EMC Website This Week’s Playbook Journal everything you do for one week (or record quick voice memos). Highlight the annoying or time-consuming tasks, then ask an AI tool which ones it can help automate first. Tim’s tip: Voice memos + transcription keeps it easy. If this episode gave you useful ideas, consider sharing it with another business leader or economic developer on the Gulf Coast. Subscribe to AI with Kai for more practical AI insights every week at aiwithkai.com.

    22 min
  6. How a Vacation Rental Company Uses AI to Save Time: Brian Harris on Reviews & Operations

    Apr 2

    How a Vacation Rental Company Uses AI to Save Time: Brian Harris on Reviews & Operations

    What does AI actually look like inside a real business? In this first episode of AI with Kai, we break down the five biggest AI stories this week and then go beyond the headlines with a real-world example from the Gulf Coast. You’ll hear how a vacation rental company is already using AI to save time, uncover insights, and improve operations without hiring developers or overcomplicating the process. If you’ve been wondering where to start with AI in your business, this episode is your starting point. 🔥 This Week’s Big 5 (AI News That Matters)The White House proposes a national AI regulatory frameworkAnthropic vs. the Pentagon and what it means for AI adoptionXero + AI integration bringing financial data into AI toolsThe growing push toward AI inside small business workflowsA proposed pause on AI data centers and the real-world impact on energy and local communities 💡 Real Business Use Case: Harris VacationsKai sits down with Brian Harris, CEO of Harris Vacations, to talk about how AI is being used inside a fast-moving service business. Key takeaways: Turning 6,000+ customer reviews into actionable insightsUsing AI as a decision support tool, not a replacementThe power of a “draft zero” mindset (just try it)How leaders can introduce AI without overwhelming their teamA simple example that saved 30+ minutes instantly using AI on a lease document 🛠️ The Playbook: AI Video AvatarsNeed to create a presentation without being on camera? This week’s practical tip walks through: Creating a digital avatar version of yourself Tools like: https://www.heygen.com/https://www.elevenlabs.io/ 🌊 Learn More About This Episode’s GuestHarris Vacations 👉 https://ourgulfshoresvacation.com/ 🎯 Why This Podcast ExistsAI is moving fast, but most business owners don’t have time to sort through the noise. This show is built to give you: The most important AI updates each weekReal examples from real businessesOne practical idea you can actually use 🔗 Links & ResourcesAI tools mentioned: https://www.heygen.com/https://www.elevenlabs.io/ Learn more about the show: https://aiwithkai.com (if/when live) ⚡ Quick TakeawayYou don’t need to learn coding. You don’t need a full strategy. You just need to start with one task and try it.

    20 min
  7. AI with Kai: Practical AI for Real Businesses (Trailer)

    Mar 24

    AI with Kai: Practical AI for Real Businesses (Trailer)

    AI is changing how businesses operate, but it’s not always clear what actually matters. AI with Kai is built for business owners who want to cut through the noise, understand what’s worth paying attention to, and start using AI in a practical way. Each episode is built around three simple parts: The Rundown: the five biggest AI stories that impact your businessThe Spotlight: real conversations with business owners using AI right nowThe Playbook: one practical way you can start using AI this week If you’re trying to figure out where AI fits in your business, you’re in the right place

    2 min

Trailer

Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

AI with Kai is a quick, easy-to-follow podcast for business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals who want to understand how AI can actually help their work. In about 20 minutes each week, get the latest AI news, real-world business insights, and practical tips you can use right away with The Rundown, The Spotlight, and The Playbook. Hosted by Kai Gray.

Information

  • Creator
    TSPN
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    7
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 AI with Kai. All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    AI with Kai

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