The AI Edge Podcast: CRE & AI

The AI Edge Podcast
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Real conversations with founders, operators, clinicians, and service-based business leaders who scale through systems, innovation, and practical execution. Hosted by Louis Fernandes, Co-Founder of Edge Partners AI, this show dives into what it really takes to grow, adapt, and win in today’s fast-changing world — without the fluff, hype, or buzzword circus. This is not a “tech for tech’s sake” podcast. This is real-world AI & operations for real operators. 🚀 What You’ll Get in Every EpisodeEach conversation is a deep dive into: • The true drivers of scale (systems, processes, execution) • How founders and operators navigate uncertainty • The workflows, habits, and business mechanics behind growth • What’s breaking down inside today’s service businesses — and how to fix it • The practical role AI now plays in intake, reception, scheduling, operations, and customer experience • How leaders think, decide, hire, implement, adapt, and stay ahead Whether you run a dental practice, medical office, behavioral health clinic, med spa, home services company, or any business that relies on consistent operations and customer experience — these conversations will give you clarity, strategy, and an unfair advantage. 🧠 The Edge PhilosophyBusiness gets easier when: • Intake is automatic • Communication is consistent • Customers never slip through the cracks • Teams aren’t drowning in admin • Owners have systems that run 24/7 • The business finally stops depending on YOU This show explores how leaders build that reality through: • AI receptionist systems • Workflow automation • Modern operations strategies • Scalable processes • Team efficiency • Customer experience design • Intelligent decision frameworks The goal is simple: Give you the “edge” you need to grow without burning out. 🎤 Conversations With People Who Are Actually Doing ItGuests include: • Founders who built multi-location practices • Healthcare & wellness leaders improving patient experience • Home service owners scaling through systems • Behavioral health executives rethinking intake & operations • Med spa operators growing without chaos • Real estate + business leaders building for the long-term • Innovators using AI to remove bottlenecks, not jobs • CEOs & operators known for execution, not talk They share: What worked. What failed. What changed everything. And exactly how you can implement the same principles. 🔧 For the Operator Who Wants MoreThis podcast is for you if you’re the kind of leader who: • Wants fewer bottlenecks and more freedom • Hates wasted motion and broken operations • Believes in systems over chaos • Knows AI can help but wants someone who speaks plainly • Wants to scale without adding more stress • Values real conversations over theory Every episode gives you a new lens, a new tactic, or a new way forward. 👑 About the HostLouis Fernandes is a founder, operator, and systems strategist who helps service-based businesses automate intake, reception, and operations using practical AI systems through Edge Partners AI. He brings a sharp, grounded, conversational approach — keeping the show relatable, tactical, and anchored in real experience. No jargon. No hype. No sales pitch. Just wisdom, strategy, and the truth about what it takes to grow a business today.

  1. 3d ago

    What Happens When America’s 90-Day Food Supply Runs Out?

    AMERICA IS 90 DAYS FROM EMPTY GROCERY SHELVES We assume the grocery store will always have food. Kendell Lang believes that assumption is far more dangerous than most people realize. After witnessing firsthand what happens when critical infrastructure and food supply chains fail, he's building a radically different model—one designed to make communities more food-independent while making regenerative agriculture economically viable. In this episode of The AI Edge Podcast, Louis Fernandes sits down with Kendell Lang, CEO of mOrganic Holdings, for a fascinating conversation about food security, agriculture, technology, AI, carbon markets, and what it will take to build more resilient communities. Ken's mission can be summarized in one sentence: “We are making healing the planet the most profitable business in the world.” His journey to that mission is deeply personal. After his late wife was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2001, Ken began questioning what he understood about food, health, plants, medicine, and the systems surrounding them. That experience ultimately became part of a much larger mission around food security and the legacy he wanted to leave his children and grandchildren. In 2016, Ken moved from San Diego to Puerto Rico, where approximately 95% of consumed food was being imported, according to his account. Hurricane Maria later demonstrated just how quickly interconnected systems can break when electricity, water, transportation, agriculture, and supply chains fail simultaneously. Today, he's applying those lessons in Hawaii through mOrganic. But this isn't simply farming. Ken describes an ecosystem combining controlled-environment aquaponics, regenerative soil systems, agroforestry, livestock, renewable energy, sensors, real-time data, blockchain infrastructure, carbon measurement, and AI. In this conversation: • Why Ken believes food security must become hyperlocal • What Hurricane Maria taught him about fragile infrastructure • How mOrganic achieved 52 consecutive weekly harvests in Puerto Rico • Why billion-dollar vertical farming companies can still fail • How regenerative agriculture can become profitable • Why Ken believes carbon markets need better measurement • How sensors, blockchain and AI fit into modern agriculture • Why food security increasingly intersects with national security • How technology can amplify human expertise instead of replacing it • Why Ken believes environmentalism and capitalism can work together Kendell Lang | CEO, mOrganic HoldingsKendell Lang is an entrepreneur, real estate developer, agricultural innovator, and CEO of mOrganic Holdings. Ken brings decades of experience spanning sophisticated real estate development, controlled environments, agriculture, infrastructure, and capital markets. During the conversation, he describes developing more than 12 million square feet of real estate, helping take two companies public, and advising another before turning his focus toward food security and regenerative agriculture. His mission: Make healing the planet the most profitable business in the world. LINKS Connect With Kendell Lang LinkedIn: [https://www.linkedin.com/in/kendelllang/ mOrganic Holdings: morganic.ag Company LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/morganically/

  2. 4d ago

    Your 800 Credit Score Might Be Completely Useless

    You can have a 720 credit score and still get denied. And you can spend years chasing an 800 score without understanding what actually makes lenders say yes. Dave Burgio believes most people are solving the wrong problem: the goal isn’t perfect credit. The goal is becoming fundable before you need the money. You can have a 720 credit score and still get denied. And you can spend years chasing an 800 score without understanding what actually makes lenders say yes. Dave Burgio believes most people are solving the wrong problem: The goal isn't perfect credit. The goal is becoming fundable before you need the money. In this episode of The AI Edge Podcast, Louis Fernandes sits down with Dave Burgio, Founder of Trifecta Credit Solutions, to break down what entrepreneurs, real estate investors, operators, and everyday borrowers misunderstand about credit and access to capital. Dave's interest in credit started early. He watched his parents struggle financially after a divorce damaged both of their credit profiles. Years later, Dave experienced the other side himself when the 2008 financial crisis hit and his own credit suffered. Today, his work has expanded from credit education and positioning into business funding and private lending, helping clients understand what needs to happen before they urgently need capital. In this conversation, Dave and Louis discuss: • Why a high credit score doesn't automatically make someone fundable • How someone with a 720 score can still get denied • Why credit is usually an afterthought until a major opportunity appears • The danger of waiting until you desperately need capital • Why business owners often damage personal credit funding their companies • What lenders evaluate beyond the score • How entrepreneurs should think about capital readiness • Why newer investors and founders often struggle to get financing • How private lending is changing real estate investing • Why banks are tightening as consumer debt increases • What Dave learned from operating businesses in multiple industries • How AI is helping simplify internal operations • Why people, processes, and systems still determine whether a company scales One of Dave's strongest lessons is simple: Prepare for capital when you don't need it. About Dave BurgioDave Burgio is the Founder of Trifecta Credit Solutions, where he helps individuals, entrepreneurs, operators, and real estate investors move from credit positioning to capital access. His work spans personal and business credit education, funding readiness, business financing, and private lending. Dave began working in credit as a side business in 2016 before launching Trifecta Credit Solutions in 2020. His mission is to help clients understand their financial position, become better prepared for financing opportunities, and avoid waiting until capital becomes an emergency. Connect With DaveLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daveburgiocredit/ Trifecta Credit Solutions: www.trifectacreditsolutions.com

  3. Aug 4

    They Both Got Laid Off the Same Day, Then Built a 7-Figure Business

    They both lost their jobs on the same day. Two corporate careers. Two salaries. Gone. Instead of immediately running back to another paycheck, Mike Deaton and his wife Ligia asked a much bigger question: What if we built a life we actually controlled? That question eventually led them to one of the simplest—and most overlooked—business models in real estate: Buying vacant land below market value and reselling it for a profit. In this episode of The AI Edge Podcast, Louis Fernandes sits down with Mike Deaton, Co-Founder of Flipping Dirt, to unpack how a former corporate executive went from more than 20 years inside companies including Motorola, Nokia, and Microsoft to building a seven-figure national land investing business. Mike and Ligia entered entrepreneurship with no guarantee the model would work. They gave themselves a runway. They started small. They learned the market. And once they proved the process, they began scaling. Today, Mike brings the same operational thinking he developed running large corporate organizations into entrepreneurship, keeping the business intentionally lean while using systems, automation, data, and AI to move faster. His philosophy is simple: Eliminate. Automate. Delegate. In this conversation, Mike and Louis break down: • What happened when Mike and his wife were laid off on the same day • Why they chose entrepreneurship instead of another corporate job • How vacant land flipping actually works • Why buying cheap land isn’t enough • How Mike evaluates markets and prices offers • Why timing can matter as much as price • How some investors buy land at a fraction of market value • Why owner financing can open the buyer pool • How Mike keeps his business incredibly lean • Where AI gives land investors a speed and data advantage • Why adding software too early can destroy margins • The difference between automating and simply adding complexity • Why entrepreneurs must become comfortable testing and failing • How Mike thinks about freedom, control, and real job security Mike also explains why land flipping is simple, but not easy. The mechanics can be learned. The harder part is making the right decisions: Is this the right market? Is my offer right? About Mike DeatonMike Deaton is an entrepreneur, real estate investor, and Co-Founder of Flipping Dirt. Before entrepreneurship, Mike spent more than 20 years in corporate operations, including roles with Motorola, Nokia, and Microsoft. After he and his wife Ligia were both laid off in 2016, they pivoted into real estate and formally launched their investing business full-time in 2017. Today, they are active land investors and coaches helping others learn how to generate cash flow by buying and selling vacant land. Their business is built around a simple principle: Create more control over your income, time, and life. Connect With MikeMike on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelbdeaton/ Flipping Dirt: flippingdirt.us Instagram: Mike & Ligia on Instagram Flipping Dirt on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/flipping-dirt/

  4. Aug 4

    Stop Letting AI Make Decisions for You

    Everyone is racing to automate more work. But what happens when AI removes context, accountability, and the human experience? Brooks Saye believes companies are asking the wrong question. The goal should not be: “How much can we replace with AI?” It should be: “How can AI help people make better decisions and spend more time with the people they serve?” In this episode of The AI Edge Podcast, Louis Fernandes sits down with Brooks Saye, Partner at Varro Capital, to discuss why so many technology implementations fail, what multifamily operators misunderstand about AI, and why the renter must remain at the center of every operational decision. Brooks has worked across multifamily operations, PropTech, revenue growth, partnerships, and go-to-market strategy. Today, she helps connect operators, lenders, asset managers, investors, renters, and technology founders through Varro Capital, Varro Technology, and Varro Studio. Her perspective is clear: The industry does not necessarily need more technology. It needs better coordination between the technology that already exists. Fewer disconnected dashboards. Better workflows. Clearer communication. Less administrative friction. And products built with both operators and renters in mind. In this conversation, Brooks and Louis explore: • Why AI should support decisions instead of replacing human judgment • How companies confuse adding technology with creating innovation • Why change management determines whether technology succeeds • What separates great multifamily operators from average ones • Where AI creates real value in rental housing • Why PropTech companies fail despite having good ideas • How regulation is becoming an operational challenge • Why renter experience should remain the priority • How technology can give on-site teams more time to build community • Why the status quo is every technology company’s biggest competitor Brooks also shares an important reminder: Renters are not simply units, revenue, or expected demand. They are people choosing where to call home. They care whether maintenance requests are resolved, whether someone responds when something goes wrong, and whether their community actually feels like a community. Technology should improve those experiences. It should remove repetitive work so operators can return to service, relationships, and communication. It should not create another login, another disconnected workflow, or another barrier between the renter and the people responsible for their home. About Brooks SayeBrooks Saye is a Partner at Varro Capital, where she focuses on revenue development, partnerships, go-to-market strategy, and connecting multifamily operators with technology and investment opportunities. Before joining Varro, Brooks worked across multifamily operations and PropTech, helping companies grow while remaining focused on the real needs of on-site teams and renters. Her philosophy is simple: AI should help. It should not replace. Connect With BrooksLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brookssaye/ Varro Capital: https://varrocap.com Varro Technology: https://www.varroportal.com

  5. Jul 30

    Trillions in Property Are Being Managed Through Email

    Trillions of dollars in aging property infrastructure are still being managed through email threads, spreadsheets, phone calls, and human memory. A pipe bursts. A manager starts calling plumbers. Residents wait for updates. Vendors send photos by text, sometimes. Board members have no visibility. And after the repair is supposedly finished, someone still has to ask: “Did this actually get done?” In this episode of The AI Edge Podcast, Louis Fernandes sits down with Sally Hamidi, Founder and CEO of ON Property Technologies, to expose the hidden operational breakdown inside the HOA and community-association industry, and explain why better technology is no longer optional. Sally has spent more than 25 years working across real estate, property management, maintenance operations, vendors, boards, and management companies. After building her own management company, growing it to approximately 50 HOA communities alongside a rental portfolio, and eventually selling the business, she stepped into an executive maintenance role and saw the problem from an entirely new level. The industry was responsible for protecting people’s homes and managing trillions of dollars in aging infrastructure, but critical information was still fragmented across inboxes, spreadsheets, disconnected systems, text messages, and individual relationships. So Sally decided to build the system she wished she had. In this conversation, Sally and Louis explore: Why the biggest maintenance bottleneck is not the repair itselfHow fragmented communication creates risk, delays, and distrustWhy managers cannot scale while buried in manual coordinationHow vendor accountability can become measurableWhy invoices should require photos and service reportsHow AI can help managers identify patterns across repairs and asset lifecyclesWhat an emergency maintenance workflow looks like when automation handles the coordinationWhy reserve studies and property data often sit unusedHow management companies can improve service without continuously adding administrative laborWhy connected systems can strengthen relationships between managers, boards, residents, and vendors With an automated system, the request can be triaged to the correct vendor, escalated when the preferred vendor does not respond, tracked through arrival and completion, documented with photos, and shared with the appropriate stakeholders—while the manager focuses on higher-value work. About Sally HamidiSally Hamidi, GRI, CMCA, is the Founder and CEO of ON Property Technologies, a next-generation property-maintenance platform connecting management companies, property managers, vendors, technicians, and boards through a unified operating ecosystem. Sally brings more than 25 years of hands-on experience across real estate, property management, maintenance, and community-association operations. She previously built a property-management company from the ground up, grew it to serve approximately 50 HOA communities and a portfolio of rental properties, and sold the business in 2023. Connect With Sally HamidiSally Hamidi on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/sally-hamidi/ ON Property Technologies weareon.io ON Property Technologies on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/on-proptech/

  6. Jul 28

    He Fired His Software... And Built His Own AI Instead

    Most companies are still figuring out how to use ChatGPT. Guillermo decided to build something entirely different. Instead of relying on off-the-shelf software, he created his own AI-powered operating system that automates research, outreach, reporting, underwriting, legal documents, and client intelligence, giving his brokerage an advantage that's difficult to replicate. In this conversation, he explains why he believes the future belongs to businesses that build AI around their own data instead of everyone else's. Episode DescriptionWhat happens when a commercial real estate broker decides that the software on the market isn't good enough? He builds his own. In this episode of The AI Edge Podcast, Louis Fernandes sits down with Guillermo, Founder & CEO of Panther Capital Group, to discuss how he's using AI to transform the way commercial real estate deals are sourced, analyzed, and closed. After closing more than $350 million in transactions before the age of 30, Guillermo made a bold decision: instead of adding more software subscriptions, he invested in building his own AI-powered operating system. Today, that platform automates everything from CRM and reporting to personalized outreach, legal documents, market intelligence, and deal analysis, allowing his team to move faster while delivering a better client experience. In this episode, you'll learn: • Why Guillermo chose to build AI instead of buying software • How proprietary data creates a competitive advantage in commercial real estate • The AI workflows helping his team source more off-market opportunities • How automation is improving client relationships instead of replacing them • Why execution, consistency, and data are becoming the new competitive edge Whether you're a founder, operator, broker, investor, or business owner exploring AI, this conversation offers practical lessons on using technology to build systems that create leverage, not just save time. About the GuestGuillermo is the Founder & CEO of Panther Capital Group, a commercial real estate investment and brokerage firm specializing in industrial outdoor storage (IOS) properties across the United States. Since entering the industry, Guillermo has closed more than $350 million in transactions, built a growing investment portfolio, and developed proprietary AI systems that automate prospecting, underwriting, reporting, and client relationship management. His mission is simple: combine relentless execution with technology to create a better experience for clients while building one of the country's leading industrial real estate platforms. Connect with Guillermo🌐 Panther Capital Group https://panthercapitalgroup.com/ 💼 LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/guillermo-de-nicolas-mba-sior-80b39614b/ 🏢 Panther Capital Group https://www.linkedin.com/company/panther-capital-group-llc/about/

  7. Jul 28

    The Biggest AI Risk Nobody Is Talking About

    Would you let AI make a $50 million real estate decision...if you couldn't verify where the data came from? Episode DescriptionArtificial intelligence is moving faster than ever—but what happens when it's making decisions based on data that can't be trusted? In this episode of The AI Edge Podcast, Louis Fernandes sits down with Matthew Schneider, President & CEO of Building, Inc., to explore one of the biggest challenges facing AI adoption in commercial real estate and enterprise organizations: data integrity. While much of the industry is focused on AI, automation, and tokenization, Matthew argues that the real problem isn't the technology—it's the quality, structure, and trustworthiness of the information behind it. Without verified data, even the most advanced AI systems can confidently make the wrong decisions. Matthew explains why trust has become the missing layer in digital real estate, how fragmented data creates friction across financing, compliance, transactions, and valuations, and why organizations must build stronger data foundations before AI and digital markets can reach their full potential. Throughout the conversation, you'll learn: • Why AI is only as reliable as the data behind it • The hidden cost of fragmented real estate information • How trusted data accelerates financing, compliance, and transactions • Why governance and transparency are becoming competitive advantages • The future of digital markets, tokenization, and AI-powered real estate If you're a real estate owner, investor, operator, technology leader, or executive implementing AI, this conversation will change the way you think about data, trust, and the future of decision-making. About the GuestMatthew Schneider is the President & CEO of Building, Inc., a PropTech company building the data infrastructure that helps commercial real estate owners, operators, lenders, and investors organize, verify, and activate property information for financing, compliance, reporting, transactions, and emerging digital markets. Matthew is also a board director at FIBREE (Foundation for International Blockchain and Real Estate Expertise), a researcher, speaker, and recognized thought leader focused on AI, data infrastructure, digital asset readiness, and the future of commercial real estate. His work centers on creating trusted, verifiable data systems that enable faster decisions, greater transparency, and more efficient capital markets. Connect with Matthew Schneider🌐 Building, Inc. https://building.inc 💼 Matthew Schneider on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/realmattschneider/ 🏢 Building, Inc. on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/building-proptech/

  8. Jul 24

    Everyone Sells Data. He Sells Decisions

    Everyone is selling more data. But what if the real competitive advantage isn't having more information. It's making better decisions faster? Most real estate investors spend hours bouncing between spreadsheets, comps, rental estimates, financing calculators, and market reports trying to answer one simple question: "Is this actually a good deal?" Andrew Weiss believes AI should eliminate that uncertainty—not create more of it. Episode DescriptionIn this episode of The AI Edge Podcast, Louis Fernandes sits down with Andrew Weiss, Founder & CEO of HomeStream, to explore how AI is transforming real estate investment analysis by shifting the focus from raw data to confident decision-making. Andrew's entrepreneurial journey began at just 15 years old, when he launched an e-commerce business with only $300. After scaling that business into a six-figure operation, he turned his attention to real estate investing—only to discover that evaluating investment properties was still painfully manual, fragmented, and dependent on endless spreadsheets. That frustration became the foundation for HomeStream. Instead of simply giving investors more property data, HomeStream combines dozens of public and private data sources with proprietary AI models to generate comprehensive investment reports in minutes—helping investors, agents, and brokerages move from analysis to action with greater confidence. In this conversation, Andrew and Louis discuss: • Why "more data" doesn't always lead to better investment decisions • The biggest mistakes investors make when analyzing properties • How AI can dramatically reduce analysis paralysis without replacing human judgment • The difference between data platforms and decision platforms • Building an AI-first startup in one of the most competitive PropTech markets • Why speed matters when evaluating investment opportunities • The future of AI-powered underwriting, property analysis, and real estate investing Whether you're an investor, real estate professional, founder, or simply curious about how AI is changing traditional industries, this episode offers practical insights into building technology that helps people make smarter decisions, not just faster ones. Andrew Weiss is the Founder & CEO of HomeStream, an AI-powered property analysis platform that helps residential real estate investors, agents, and brokerages evaluate investment opportunities with greater speed and confidence. A lifelong entrepreneur, Andrew started his first business at age 15 and later applied that entrepreneurial mindset to real estate investing after experiencing firsthand how inefficient and fragmented the property analysis process could be. Today, HomeStream combines AI, machine learning, and property data to simplify underwriting, improve investment analysis, and help users make better real estate decisions. Connect with Andrew Weiss🌐 HomeStream: https://www.homestream.io 💼 Andrew Weiss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-weiss11/ 🏢 HomeStream on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/homestreaminc/posts/?feedView=all

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Real conversations with founders, operators, clinicians, and service-based business leaders who scale through systems, innovation, and practical execution. Hosted by Louis Fernandes, Co-Founder of Edge Partners AI, this show dives into what it really takes to grow, adapt, and win in today’s fast-changing world — without the fluff, hype, or buzzword circus. This is not a “tech for tech’s sake” podcast. This is real-world AI & operations for real operators. 🚀 What You’ll Get in Every EpisodeEach conversation is a deep dive into: • The true drivers of scale (systems, processes, execution) • How founders and operators navigate uncertainty • The workflows, habits, and business mechanics behind growth • What’s breaking down inside today’s service businesses — and how to fix it • The practical role AI now plays in intake, reception, scheduling, operations, and customer experience • How leaders think, decide, hire, implement, adapt, and stay ahead Whether you run a dental practice, medical office, behavioral health clinic, med spa, home services company, or any business that relies on consistent operations and customer experience — these conversations will give you clarity, strategy, and an unfair advantage. 🧠 The Edge PhilosophyBusiness gets easier when: • Intake is automatic • Communication is consistent • Customers never slip through the cracks • Teams aren’t drowning in admin • Owners have systems that run 24/7 • The business finally stops depending on YOU This show explores how leaders build that reality through: • AI receptionist systems • Workflow automation • Modern operations strategies • Scalable processes • Team efficiency • Customer experience design • Intelligent decision frameworks The goal is simple: Give you the “edge” you need to grow without burning out. 🎤 Conversations With People Who Are Actually Doing ItGuests include: • Founders who built multi-location practices • Healthcare & wellness leaders improving patient experience • Home service owners scaling through systems • Behavioral health executives rethinking intake & operations • Med spa operators growing without chaos • Real estate + business leaders building for the long-term • Innovators using AI to remove bottlenecks, not jobs • CEOs & operators known for execution, not talk They share: What worked. What failed. What changed everything. And exactly how you can implement the same principles. 🔧 For the Operator Who Wants MoreThis podcast is for you if you’re the kind of leader who: • Wants fewer bottlenecks and more freedom • Hates wasted motion and broken operations • Believes in systems over chaos • Knows AI can help but wants someone who speaks plainly • Wants to scale without adding more stress • Values real conversations over theory Every episode gives you a new lens, a new tactic, or a new way forward. 👑 About the HostLouis Fernandes is a founder, operator, and systems strategist who helps service-based businesses automate intake, reception, and operations using practical AI systems through Edge Partners AI. He brings a sharp, grounded, conversational approach — keeping the show relatable, tactical, and anchored in real experience. No jargon. No hype. No sales pitch. Just wisdom, strategy, and the truth about what it takes to grow a business today.

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  • Creator
    The AI Edge Podcast
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    104
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The AI Edge Podcast