Qore Conversations

QoreAi

Tune in for engaging conversations about the latest technology, innovations, and trending issues in the automotive industry.  QoreAi's podcast delivers expert insights, practical tips and problem-solving solutions.  Stay informed and inspired with every episode.

  1. JAN 7

    Real AI for Automotive: No Hype, Just Outcomes

    AI is everywhere in automotive—but separating what actually works from what sounds good has never been harder. In this episode of Qore Conversations, Todd Smith, CEO of QoreAI, shares a grounded, experience-driven perspective on how dealers should really think about AI today. Instead of “plug-and-play” promises, this conversation focuses on outcomes, fundamentals, and the realities of implementation inside a dealership. Todd explains why AI should be treated more like a new hire than a software tool, why fragmented and decaying data quietly erodes profitability, and why data ownership is quickly becoming one of the most important strategic issues for dealers. The discussion also explores the rising risk of AI-driven fraud, including voice cloning, synthetic identities, and document manipulation—and why trust remains the one thing AI cannot replicate. This episode is designed for dealers and automotive leaders who want clarity, not buzzwords. In this episode, you’ll hear: Why AI is not plug-and-play—and what realistic expectations look likeHow treating AI like an “intern” leads to better long-term resultsThe hidden cost of dirty, outdated, and fragmented dealer dataWhat true data ownership and data sovereignty mean in automotiveHow AI-powered fraud is already impacting dealershipsWhy trust, context, and clean data matter more than toolsWhat dealers should focus on before investing in more AIKey Takeaway:  AI accelerates whatever you put into it. Without clean, well-owned data and clear intent, it won’t produce meaningful results. If this episode was valuable, follow Qore Conversations and share it with someone who wants real insight into the future of automotive AI. Learn more about QoreAI: Website: www.qoreai.com AI & Automotive Whitepaper: www.ToddSmith.ai Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/toddlearsmith/ Follow QoreAi: www.LinkedIn.com/company/qoreai/ www.Facebook.com/Qoreai www.x.com/qoreai Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com

    48 min

  2. 12/08/2025

    Building a Brain for the Business: AI, Data and the Future of Dealership Intelligence

    In this eye-opening episode of Qore Conversations, Todd Smith, CEO of QoreAI, breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in today’s automotive industry: the difference between simple AI “wrappers” and true intelligence systems built to transform dealership operations. With decades of experience in both retail automotive and advanced technology, Todd provides a clear, compelling look at what it really means to build a “brain” for your dealership—and why most stores are only beginning to understand what’s possible. Todd begins by demystifying the surge of AI tools flooding the market, explaining why many products marketed as “AI” are really just surface-level responses wrapped around large language models. While these tools offer convenience, they don’t deliver the deep contextual intelligence dealers ultimately need. True AI infrastructure, Todd explains, integrates, cleans, organizes, and learns from a dealership’s entire data ecosystem—unlocking insights that improve performance, efficiency, and customer experience at scale. He emphasizes why clean, organized data is not the finish line but the starting point for any dealership seeking meaningful AI-driven outcomes. Todd outlines how mapping workflows, identifying outdated or unnecessary processes, and committing to operational efficiency can position stores to 3X their net profit through smarter systems and continuous optimization. From personal automation routines to dealership-wide AI adoption strategies, Todd offers a candid look into what it takes to design reliable, real-world AI workflows. He shares the challenges of building automations, the importance of reducing steps to increase stability, and the mindset shift required for leaders who want their teams to benefit from AI—not fear it. Todd also shares how some forward-thinking dealers are already adopting AI across every role, empowering employees with the tools and training to collaborate with their own digital partner. The conversation closes with guidance for dealer principals and general managers: start with personal education, build an internal culture of experimentation and collaboration, and prepare your organization for a future where intelligence systems reshape the core of dealership operations. This episode is a must-listen for anyone in automotive leadership—dealer principals, general managers, digital directors, and innovators looking to understand where real AI value lies and how to begin building long-term competitive advantage. Todd Smith delivers clarity, vision, and practical insight into what the next era of dealership intelligence will truly require. Learn more about QoreAI: Website: www.qoreai.com AI & Automotive Whitepaper: www.ToddSmith.ai Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/toddlearsmith/ Follow QoreAi: www.LinkedIn.com/company/qoreai/ www.Facebook.com/Qoreai www.x.com/qoreai Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com

    42 min

  3. 10/10/2025

    20 Most-Asked Dealer & Industry Questions with Todd Smith (Part 2)

    In this Part 2 episode of Qore Conversations, Todd Smith, CEO of QoreAI, continues addressing the automotive industry’s most frequent questions with practical, experience-driven insights. He explains why dealerships face persistent challenges with data hygiene and connectivity, how legacy CRM/DMS structures create duplicate and decayed records, and what a “data swamp” really means at the operational level. Smith also shares a clear distinction between data lakes and warehouses and outlines approaches that give dealers practical, right-sized solutions rather than enterprise-scale complexity. Highlighting QoreAI’s role as a data intelligence layer, Smith shows how clean, unified, and behaviorally enriched data can be used across any preferred tool—email platforms, paid media, call centers, or OTT campaigns. He illustrates with real workflows such as proactive recall outreach, inventory acquisition from the service drive, and personalized messaging for EV-inclined customers. Smith also pushes back on AI buzzwords, clarifying the difference between simple wrappers and systems that truly learn. He reframes ROI in terms of clarity, compliance, and efficiency—whether it’s removing deceased records, safeguarding opt-outs, or eliminating wasted spend on bad data. His advice to dealership leaders is to use AI personally, document workflows before automating them, and treat AI as a trainable partner with guardrails rather than a plug-and-play tool. From understanding data architecture to uncovering untapped opportunities in existing customers, this episode continues the conversation around the most pressing dealer and industry concerns. Taken together, it delivers clear answers to QoreAI’s most-asked questions and provides a framework for transforming data challenges into actionable outcomes. Learn more about QoreAI: Website: www.qoreai.com AI & Automotive Whitepaper: www.ToddSmith.ai Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/toddlearsmith/ Follow QoreAi: www.LinkedIn.com/company/qoreai/ www.Facebook.com/Qoreai www.x.com/qoreai Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com

    1h 10m

  4. 09/30/2025

    20 Most-Asked Dealer & Industry Questions with Todd Smith (Part 1)

    In this episode of Qore Conversations, Todd Smith, CEO and founder of QoreAI, tackles the 20 most-asked questions dealers and industry professionals bring to him. This is Part 1 of a 2-part series, covering the first 10 questions from the list. Todd draws on decades of innovation in automotive retail and technology to provide unfiltered, practical insights that every dealer, GM, and industry leader needs to hear. From the real cost of “dead data” to the hype (and reality) around voice AI, Todd cuts through the noise and gets right to what matters most for profitability, processes, and the future of AI in automotive. What You’ll Learn in Part 1: The biggest profit leaks dealerships face today—and how to stop them.Why so many AI projects fail in automotive retail.How to spot and clean “dead data” in your CRM.The difference between CDPs and true dealership intelligence.How behavioral signals and personas can drive more sales.Why voice AI may be the most overrated tech trend right now.The one thing every GM should do with their data before buying new tech.How to get skeptical sales teams on board with AI and change.Real-world examples of AI moving the needle fast in service and sales.Todd’s “genie wish” fix for the industry: universal data accessibility. Why Listen? Whether you’re a GM, dealer principal, or industry insider, this conversation will give you clear, actionable insights into how data and AI can—and should—be used to create measurable value. Stay tuned for Part 2, where Todd covers the next 10 questions from the Top 20 list. Learn more about QoreAI: Website: www.qoreai.com AI & Automotive Whitepaper: www.ToddSmith.ai Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/toddlearsmith/ Follow QoreAi: www.LinkedIn.com/company/qoreai/ www.Facebook.com/Qoreai www.x.com/qoreai Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com

    51 min

  5. 08/01/2025

    The AI Layer Is Here: But Most Dealers Will Miss It

    In this episode of Qore Conversations, Todd Smith, Founder and CEO of QoreAI, delivers a critical message for auto dealers: artificial intelligence is already transforming retail — but most dealerships aren’t ready, and many will miss the opportunity entirely. Todd breaks down why dealerships are drowning in data but starving for intelligence. Despite an explosion of AI tools, most dealers still operate with fragmented, outdated systems and poor data hygiene — making it nearly impossible to extract real insight or value. He introduces the concept of the dealer data flywheel: a continuous loop of clean data, identity resolution, automation, and feedback that powers smarter decision-making and long-term competitive advantage. The conversation exposes the risks of overrelying on CDPs, data lakes, or trend-driven tech stacks without addressing the root issue: disorganized, decaying data. Todd argues that no AI system — no matter how advanced — will work effectively unless the data foundation is right. And without immediate action, OEMs and external vendors may seize control of dealership data, just as third-party lead platforms once overtook web traffic. Todd also shares how QoreAI is solving this problem differently: not with more dashboards, but with an intelligent operating layer that unifies dealership systems, predicts outcomes, and enables action — in real time. Whether you're running a single store or a multi-rooftop group, this episode will challenge how you think about AI, data, and the future of retail. Todd’s advice is clear: start with a data health check, take ownership of your systems, and prepare now — because AI won’t wait. Learn more about QoreAI: Website: www.qoreai.com AI & Automotive Whitepaper: www.ToddSmith.ai Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/toddlearsmith/ Follow QoreAi: www.LinkedIn.com/company/qoreai/ www.Facebook.com/Qoreai www.x.com/qoreai Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com

    39 min

  6. 06/17/2025

    Stop Scaling Mediocrity: Reclaiming Dealership Power with QoreAI

    In this compelling episode of Qore Conversations, Todd Smith, CEO and Founder of QoreAI, delivers a reality check for automotive dealerships struggling with ineffective data practices and underutilized technology. With deep insights drawn from decades in retail and automotive innovation, Todd unpacks how many dealers are unintentionally scaling mediocrity — and how reclaiming control through better data and purpose-built AI can reverse the trend. The conversation begins with a critical look at data hygiene. Todd explains that while many dealers believe their databases are clean, the reality is far from it. From outdated ownership records to invalid email addresses and high rates of customer data decay, most dealership systems are working with flawed information. This leads to wasted marketing spend, missed revenue opportunities, and operational inefficiencies — all of which can be avoided with a commitment to maintaining clean, accurate, and verifiable data. A key theme of the episode is that AI is not SaaS. Todd cautions against viewing artificial intelligence like traditional software — something you can wait to adopt until the next version or feature set arrives. Instead, AI represents a fundamentally different paradigm: one that begins in a stage of infancy and evolves by continuously learning from your dealership’s unique data. Dealers who act now can develop mature, intelligent systems that compound results over time, while those who delay will be stuck trying to catch up with more advanced competitors. Todd also shares practical, high-impact use cases from QoreAI’s platform: Identifying lapsed service customers with high-value vehicles for targeted outreach Isolating customers with high purchase propensity who are scheduled for service visits Leveraging data from millions of repair orders to accurately predict reconditioning costs Automating and optimizing campaigns based on clean, segmented customer data The episode underscores a major opportunity for forward-thinking dealers: leveraging AI and data not just to modernize operations, but to create tangible, sustainable advantages in acquisition, retention, and profitability. For dealership leaders ready to move past outdated methods and into a smarter future, this conversation is both a blueprint and a wake-up call. Learn more about QoreAI: Website: www.qoreai.com AI & Automotive Whitepaper: www.ToddSmith.ai Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/toddlearsmith/ Follow QoreAi: www.LinkedIn.com/company/qoreai/ www.Facebook.com/Qoreai www.x.com/qoreai Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com

    36 min

  7. 04/23/2025

    Taking Control: Why Dealerships Must Own Their Data Now

    In this episode, Todd Smith, CEO of QoreAI, unpacks one of the most urgent topics facing automotive retailers today: data ownership. As AI rapidly reshapes the competitive landscape, Todd outlines why dealers can no longer afford to rely on middleware and third-party systems to access and manage their own data. He breaks down the limitations of current vendor-controlled environments, where critical customer and operational data is fragmented across disparate systems—and where dealers are paying to access insights that should inherently belong to them. The conversation dives into why middleware, including common platforms like CDPs, is quickly becoming obsolete in a world where speed, precision, and control are non-negotiable. Todd explains how data fragmentation leads to operational inefficiencies, decision-making delays, and a lack of visibility that directly impacts dealership profitability. More importantly, he highlights how clean, structured, and centralized proprietary data unlocks the real value of AI—enabling faster insights, smarter marketing, better resource allocation, and ultimately, a more competitive and agile dealership. The episode also explores the hard truths about dealer tech stacks today: most organizations have redundant systems, inaccurate data, and limited ability to extract intelligence from their own operations. Todd shares the foundational steps every dealership must take to shift from data renters to data owners—starting with mapping data infrastructure, auditing current systems, and implementing a unified architecture that positions the dealership to fully leverage AI. With margins tightening and customer expectations increasing, the pressure to operate efficiently and intelligently has never been greater. This episode is a strategic guide for any dealership leader ready to take control of their data, unlock real organizational intelligence, and build the competitive foundation required for the future of automotive retail.  Learn more about QoreAI: Website: www.qoreai.com AI & Automotive Whitepaper: www.ToddSmith.ai Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/toddlearsmith/ Follow QoreAi: www.LinkedIn.com/company/qoreai/ www.Facebook.com/Qoreai www.x.com/qoreai Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com

    42 min

  8. 04/09/2025

    The Death of Automotive SaaS: How AI is Taking Over

    Artificial Intelligence is no longer a concept to prepare for — it’s here, and it’s actively transforming every layer of automotive retail. In this episode, Todd Smith, CEO of QoreAI, breaks down how AI is rapidly replacing traditional SaaS systems by automating entire workflows that used to require human oversight. From outdated CRMs to fragmented marketing tools, the legacy tech stack inside dealerships is being rendered obsolete by intelligent agents that can interpret data, make decisions, and execute tasks in real time. Todd explains how most dealers are still in the early stages of AI adoption — stuck at level zero — while the technology has already moved into stages where agents handle lead responses, prioritize workflows, and eliminate inefficiencies with precision. He outlines why marketing and lead management are the first areas being disrupted, how AI can outperform BDCs with 24/7 consistency, and why clean, structured data is the foundational asset for any dealership aiming to stay competitive. He also speaks directly to vendors, urging them to confront the hard truth: adapt quickly, or risk becoming irrelevant. Key Highlights:  Why traditional SaaS tools in automotive are being hollowed out by AIThe role of AI agents in replacing repetitive dealership workflowsHow lead response and BDC processes are the first to be disruptedWhy most dealerships are still at “level zero” in AI adoptionThe crucial importance of clean, structured, and owned dataHow AI enables real-time decision-making without dashboards or reportsThe financial advantage of AI agents vs. high-turnover human rolesWhy marketing tools are the first SaaS category being overtaken by AIWhat vendors must do to survive in this rapidly evolving landscapeWhy dealerships must stop evaluating AI like traditional softwareHow to begin building an AI-first operation today — and why timing mattersWhat dealers can do now to prepare their infrastructure for the next 24 months This is not just a tech upgrade — it’s a complete re-architecture of how automotive retail operates. Whether you're a dealer or a vendor, this episode delivers essential insights on what’s next, what’s working, and what needs to change immediately. Learn more about QoreAI: Website: www.qoreai.com AI & Automotive Whitepaper: www.ToddSmith.ai Connect with Todd on LinkedIn: www.LinkedIn.com/in/toddlearsmith/ Follow QoreAi: www.LinkedIn.com/company/qoreai/ www.Facebook.com/Qoreai www.x.com/qoreai Podcast Directed and Produced by: www.hiredgunsagency.com

    37 min
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About

Tune in for engaging conversations about the latest technology, innovations, and trending issues in the automotive industry.  QoreAi's podcast delivers expert insights, practical tips and problem-solving solutions.  Stay informed and inspired with every episode.

Information

  • Creator
    QoreAi
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Qore Conversations
  • Show Website
    Qore Conversations