Making slides and decks in AI
Welcome back to the latest episode of The AI Moment.
Ever found yourself drowning in a sea of text, wishing you could wave a magic wand and turn it into a stunning presentation? This week, Jonathan and I explored exactly that.
We tackled the big question: what's the best AI for creating and polishing slide decks?
My top recommendation, and a real game-changer in my opinion, is Gamma (gamma.app). If you've got a document packed with great content but lack the designer's touch, this tool is for you. It excels at transforming text into visually engaging slides, empowering you to create decks you'd be proud to present. It truly unlocks your inner designer.
We also discussed how other tools like Microsoft’s Copilot are catching up, though they often need a firmer hand to guide them visually. The overarching theme is clear: AI is rapidly moving beyond a novelty and becoming an essential tool for business communications. It’s here to help us reclaim the hours spent tweaking slides, so we can focus on what really matters—the message itself.
So, here are your calls to action: Give Gamma a try with your next internal report or presentation and see the magic for yourself. We'd love to see what you create, so please do share your results with us!
AI Tools Mentioned:
And if you haven’t already, subscribe to our supporting newsletter at aimoment.co.uk for more in-depth insights. Finally, if you enjoyed the episode, a rating and review on your podcast player would be brilliant.
Thanks for listening, and we'll see you next time.
What is the future of advertising in the age of AI?
AI Moment Podcast 27
Hello and welcome back to the AI Moment.
Danny (Denhard) here breaking down podcast #27.
In this episode, Jonathan and I tackle a question I’ve been thinking about a great deal:
Q: What is the future of advertising in the age of AI?
—
Sign Up To Our Newsletter
Want to go deeper on our newsletter that supports each and every episode at dannydenhard.com/aipod
—
Forget the simple, keyword-based ads we're used to. I believe we're heading towards a far more exciting and integrated future.
I shared my vision for a new hybrid ad model, one that blends the best of search, social media, and even traditional TV advertising to create something entirely new and genuinely useful.
Imagine ads that don't just answer a query but provide a personalised solution right there in the chat – a custom-built report, a pre-populated spreadsheet, or even the ability to buy an entire outfit with a single click.
This isn't just a theoretical concept; it's what I call ‘agentic’ advertising, and it’s going to force us all to rethink what an ad can be.
We also discussed the practicalities for businesses. How do you measure success when an ad delivers a bespoke, high-value asset instead of just a click? We explored the huge opportunities this presents but also considered the critical importance of brand safety in a world of potential AI hallucinations. Furthermore, I offered my predictions on how the major AI players like ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini might specialise their ad offerings to cater to different markets, from consumer goods to complex developer tools.
It was a fascinating conversation that went deep into how advertising could transform from a necessary evil into a valuable service.
This is a massive opportunity for brands to connect with customers in a completely new way.
Got Your Own Question?
Got a question yourself? Happult contact us on ai@dannydenhard.com or message us via our site dannydenhard.com/aipod or via DM on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannydenhard/ & https://www.linkedin.com/in/wagstaffe/
In this episode of The AI Moment, Jonathan Wagstaffe and I dive into the new "Perplexity at Work" guide, and I must say, it’s genuinely impressive. When it first landed on my desk, I worried it was just another promotional PDF, but it's an incredibly useful 43-page "operating manual" for the modern worker.
The biggest strategic insight we both took away is that this guide signals Perplexity's clear ambition to evolve far beyond its origins as a simple "answer engine."
They are making a very strong, strategic play to become a complete, all-in-one "operating system" for your work. This means moving from a tool you just ask questions to an environment you work within.
I found its breakdown of how their entire suite of tools—the browser, the new email tool, and the core AI—are designed to work together seamlessly to be fantastic and a clear sign of this ambition.
We break down the key takeaways from our discussion, including:
The "Operating System" Play: This is Perplexity's big strategic jump. They don't want to be just another tab; they want to be the "full-service operating platform" that you work inside of, centralising your tasks and reducing your reliance on a scattered tech stack.
A Three-Stage Productivity Model: Jonathan highlights the guide's clever three-layer structure for achieving tangible, real productivity. It’s a clear path: 1. Block distractions (using AI to filter noise, not just turn off alerts), 2. "Scale yourself" (by treating your work as systems and automating the repetitive parts), and 3. Get measurable results (linking your AI use directly to outcomes and ROI).
Moving into "Notion" Territory: My own take is that this positions them as a direct competitor to tools like Notion. They are aiming to be that all-in-one suite that is both an assistant (helping you draft, research, or summarise) and an agent (autonomously managing tasks and workflows for you).
The Race for "Utility": This is all part of the wider, frantic race for AI companies to become an indispensable "utility." The goal is to become so embedded in your daily life—like your email client or browser—that you can't work without it. This is how they secure those crucial Daily Active Users (DAUs) and prove their long-term value. This guide is Perplexity's playbook for winning that race.
Our Core Takeaway & Call to Action:Go and read the guide. Jonathan and I both highly recommend it. Even if you are not a daily Perplexity user, the frameworks it teaches for reducing cognitive load, managing distractions, and structuring your work with an AI assistant are some of the most practical and valuable we’ve seen. These are universal skills for this new era of work, and it’s genuinely helpful for anyone on their AI journey.
Taking Control of Your AI's Memory
AI Moment Podcast Episode 26
Ever feel like your AI has a case of amnesia after an update? On this episode of The AI Moment, my co-host Jonathan Wagstaffe and I explored why AI models forget what you've taught them and, crucially, what you can do to fix it.
We discussed the technical reason, known as "catastrophic forgetting," where updates essentially overwrite old data. But understanding the 'why' is only half the battle. The real value comes from taking proactive steps to manage the AI's knowledge base, as you simply cannot rely on its memory to persist between versions.
Here are the key actions we recommend to stop the frustration and get consistent results:
1. Create Your Own AI 'Brain': The most powerful action you can take is to build an external knowledge base. Once you have briefed an AI on your business, a project, or a specific product, get it to summarise its understanding. Copy this information, save it as a PDF, and you have created a portable 'memory' for your AI.
2. Reload and Go: Before you start a new project or conversation, simply upload this PDF. This gives the model all the crucial context it needs right from the start. It's a simple habit that completely bypasses the model’s unreliable memory and ensures you get relevant, accurate outputs every time.
3. Let the AI Interview You: To make building your knowledge base even easier, turn the tables. Start a session by asking the AI to interview you about your topic. Prompt it to keep asking questions until it has a comprehensive understanding. That detailed conversation becomes your master document to save and reuse.
By taking these steps, you put yourself in control. Stop letting AI updates reset your progress and start building a reliable system that works for you.
Sign Up To Our Newsletter
Want to go deeper on our newsletter that supports each and every episode at dannydenhard.com/aipod
Got a question yourself? Happult contact us on ai@dannydenhard.com or via our site dannydenhard.com/aipod
Connect with Us:
Have more questions about AI and leadership? Reach out to us directly by emailing ai@dannydenhard.com or hit message below
Or join us and have a chat with us on LinkedIn
AI Sheep Vs AI Lions Podcast Show Notes
In this week's mailbag episode, Jonathan and I dive into a question that's on many leaders' minds:
How do we stop low-quality AI work from creeping into our teams' output?
It’s a challenge I’m seeing more frequently – team members using AI to simply tick a box, rather than to elevate their work, which can lead to a noticeable dip in quality.
We had a great chat about shifting this dynamic. A key idea we explored was Jonathan's concept of 'AI Sheep' versus 'AI Lions'. Are we passively accepting what AI gives us, or are we actively using it to challenge our ideas and become better at what we do?
Our discussion centred on practical steps to encourage the 'lion' mindset. We believe it starts with creating a solid framework. This includes developing an AI manifesto with clear guardrails, establishing an AI style guide with best-practice examples, and building a library of high-quality prompts for common tasks. It's not about policing AI use, but about setting a clear standard for excellence.
We also touched on a simple yet powerful habit: the 'two Vs' – always validate the output and verify the sources.
This builds a crucial layer of accountability.
Ultimately, our core takeaway was this: you own your output. No matter what tools you use, the work that leaves your desk is a reflection of you. It’s about taking pride in what you produce and always being the essential "human in the loop." We need to foster a culture where AI is seen as a collaborator that helps us think deeper and produce better work, not a shortcut that compromises quality.
Got Questions?
Want to go deeper on our newsletter that supports each and every episode at dannydenhard.com/aipod
Got questions contact us on ai@dannydenhard.com or via our site dannydenhard.com/aipod
Connect With Us On LinkedIn
Welcome back to The AI Moment! I’m Danny Denhard, and this week, Jonathan (Wagstaffe) and I dived deep into a topic that's currently transforming every business: AI in Sales.
I must admit, I was surprised to hear from Jonathan that so many salespeople are still only using AI for simple email creation. There is so much powerful, low-hanging fruit they’re missing out on!
This episode is all about revealing those immediate wins that can drastically cut admin time and instantly boost your sales performance.
What we cover in this bite-sized episode:
Crucial Guardrails: We wrap up by stressing the critical importance of a 'sanity check'. While AI is powerful, we are the ones who own the data, and we must always verify outputs and be meticulous about the security of any sensitive customer information.
If you want your sales team operating at the top level, this is a must-listen. Stop doing the donkey work and focus on what matters—selling!
Links and Resources:
We have a supporting newsletter for every podcast breaking down the subject further and providing invaluable insights and screenshots for tools and tips we provide go over to aimoment.co.uk and hit subscribe.
You can message there or email ai@dannydenhard.com
Thanks for listening
Danny Denhard
Connect With Us On LinkedIn
Danny on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/dannydenhard/
Jonathan on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/wagstaffe/
IoD AI Governance Report: Stop the Shadow Adoption!
Hi and thanks for listening, it’s Danny here and on this week's AI Moment, Jonathan and I are tackling a seriously important document: the IoD Governance in the Boardroom AI Report.
The episode is a little denser than usual, so it is worth subscribing to our newsletter (we send out a newsletter with every pod) where we dived a little deeper and shared an executive briefing.
The Full Report Is Available Here https://www.iod.com/app/uploads/2025/06/IoD-AI-Governance-in-the-Boardroom-1-7f341cd46a780f216ad68d88d4cddc8f.pdf or on our newsletter
https://aimomentpodcast.substack.com/
It might sound a bit heavy, but this 34-page guide, released in September, is essential reading for every UK business leader. We’ve broken down the key warnings and opportunities into simple, bite-sized chunks.
The core message I took away is that adoption is running ahead of governance. We see individuals and teams adopting powerful tools like Gemini and ChatGPT—what we call ‘Shadow AI’—without the necessary strategic oversight. The IoD report makes it clear: if you want to scale AI safely, you must get a handle on this now. (For a deeper dive, check out our previous episodes on Shadow AI and our AI Manifesto—links below!).
We also discussed the regulatory complexity facing UK firms. Since we don't have a single, unified AI Act, businesses must navigate dual compliance between UK regulators and the risk-based EU AI Act. If your data or cloud systems (like Salesforce) touch the EU, you need a proactive strategy to avoid falling foul of both.
For me, the key to trust lies in the data. The report stresses the 'Holy Trinity': lineage, quality, and permissions. If you can't prove where your data came from, you simply shouldn't be running the experiment. This isn't just an IT problem; it's an enterprise-wide initiative that requires the board's full attention.
Finally, we noted the new ISO 42001 standard for AI management. I know, another standard, but it provides the essential framework for risk assessment and control.
We’ve put a direct link to the IoD report below, and I plan to use NotebookLM to create an executive briefing to save you the 34-page read! Thanks for listening, and don't forget to subscribe and check out our newsletter at aimoments.co.uk.
AI & Marketing Explained: Doing More With Less
Subscribe to our supporting newsletter, delivered to you with every podcast - https://aimomentpodcast.substack.com/subscribe
Welcome back to The AI Moment! This week, Jonathan and I (Danny Denhard) dived deep into the practical reality of how business executives are actually using AI right now to transform their marketing departments.
The major takeaway for me is that the line between AI and automation is dissolving. Most of your favourite tools have already bolted on AI features, and now it’s time to move beyond simple content drafting.
I ran through a quick-fire list of winning strategies I’m seeing teams implement immediately:
Content Scaling is King: Stop creating content one piece at a time. I use the "one-to-six" model myself for this very podcast: we take one recording and effortlessly spin it into multiple pieces—social clips, show notes, newsletters, and more.
Tools like Gemini, Gamma.app, Claude and ChatGPT can take your long-form documents and instantly generate dedicated presentations, or even audio and video study guides for internal training.
This makes content and enablement highly scalable.
The Strategic Co-Pilot: Beyond creation, AI is now an indispensable coworker. I'm seeing leaders use it as a fantastic 'stress tester'—feeding their marketing plans and ad strategies into an LLM and letting it challenge their assumptions and provide immediate, robust recommendations. This gives you a serious edge before you commit resources.
Novel Applications: We also covered some brilliant out-of-the-box uses:
Jonathan added two great points: using AI to literally role-play a target customer to capture the 'voice of the customer,' and employing 'campaign hacking' to rapidly generate full campaign briefs with goals and rollout plans.
If you’re looking to push past basic usage and gain serious efficiency, this episode is essential listening.
Don't forget to subscribe to our supporting newsletter at aimoment.co.uk for a full rundown and extended notes - you can email us there or to ai@dannydenhard.com
AI Moment Podcast Show Notes
Episode: The companies who are ripe for acquiring in AI - Part 3
Welcome back to the final part of Jonathan and my conversation with the brilliant Martin Spiller of Oakmere.
This episode was a fantastic exploration of how AI is revolutionising the business landscape, especially for SMEs.
We kicked off by diving into Martin's investment strategy. It was fascinating to hear that he actively looks for companies that aren't currently using AI.
His reasoning is simple but powerful: these are the businesses with the most to gain from a technology 'turbocharger'. He shared a brilliant anecdote about a carpentry business that only got its first internet-connected computer a few years ago – a perfect example of a ripe target for AI-driven growth.
The conversation then took a critical turn towards data security and privacy.
Jonathan and I often discuss this, but Martin's perspective was a valuable reminder of the real-world implications.
We highlighted the risks of putting sensitive data into public LLMs like ChatGPT and the importance of understanding where your information is stored and who can access it. Martin's comparison to using Dropbox in the legal profession was particularly insightful.
A Call To Indie Hackers I also shared my thoughts on the opportunities for developers to create bespoke AI solutions for SMEs. The current lack of adoption in this sector means there’s a huge gap for tools that can address specific operational inefficiencies.
Ultimately, we agreed that AI isn't about replacing people or strategies. It's about amplifying them.
Martin noted that AI can free up valuable time – even just a couple of hours a week – that can then be used for more strategic work. I found this to be the most compelling takeaway.
Thank you for listening again today!
If you have any questions or want to learn more, please subscribe to our newsletter at https://aimomentpodcast.substack.com/subscribe where we offer deeper dives and will show you the tools or tips what we are talking about through the shows
Contact us on our dedicated email for questions or asking about AI enablement or AI workshops ai@dannydenhard.com
Hello and welcome back to the AI Moment podcast! I'm Danny Denhard, and this week we continue part 2 and 3 of finance and AI.
As a reminder, Jonathan and I sat down with finance expert Martin Spiller to discuss AI and its impact on the finance world, particularly for SMEs.
As promised if you’d like to listen to the full 35 minute interview with Martin enjoy it here exclusively on our site https://aimomentpodcast.substack.com/p/finance-and-ai-full-episode
In our conversation, we explored how AI can free up a significant portion of a finance professional’s time by automating routine "bean counting."
Martin explained how this saved time can be used for more strategic work, such as analysing business data and making crucial decisions to boost profitability. We talked about how "turnover is vanity, profit is sanity" and how a deep dive into customer profitability can reveal that a small number of clients are actually losing you money. Martin gave a brilliant example from his own business where they had to cut an unprofitable client to free up resources for growth.
We also discussed the power of AI in scaling a business without having to scale the headcount. As I’ve said before, I firmly believe the opportunity for SMEs is to make your existing people more efficient, not to replace them. By integrating AI into your workflows, you can double revenue with only a small increase in staff. Martin added that this approach makes a business more efficient and resilient, and therefore, more valuable to potential buyers.
We also touched upon the tools available, mentioning QuickBooks and Xero, and how they handle AI differently. Ultimately, while AI is a powerful tool, both of us agreed that it still needs human oversight to ensure accuracy and to prevent mistakes, particularly when dealing with complex data like cash flow forecasting.
Thanks for listening today! If you have any questions, please reach out here.
You can also subscribe to our supporting newsletter released with every podcast.
Go to aimoment.co.uk and hit subscribe.
We share more important links, run through the tools mentioned in the podcast and more. See you next time!
Hello everyone, Danny here. Welcome back to the AI Moment podcast. This is the first part of a new three-part series where Jonathan and I delve into the fascinating world of AI and its impact on the finance industry and small to medium-sized businesses.
In this first episode, we're joined by the brilliant Martin Spiller.
Martin's a man of many talents, having qualified as both a barrister and an accountant, and with a background as a successful serial entrepreneur. His latest venture is Oakmere Partners, which focuses on helping owner-managed businesses find new avenues for growth.
During our conversation, Martin provided some incredibly valuable insights. He highlighted that many businesses are already using AI without even realising it, through tools like Xero and QuickBooks. We also discussed how AI can be a massive opportunity for businesses, not a threat, by automating the "dull stuff" and freeing up a finance team's time to focus on strategic, value-add tasks. Martin shared his perspective on how AI can be a perfect "finance friend," empowering non-finance professionals to understand their numbers better without the fear of looking stupid.
The key takeaway for me is that the future of finance is a hybrid model. It's about using AI for grunt work, such as data analysis and forecasting, while ensuring human oversight remains in place to check for errors and to provide the strategic thinking a machine simply can't.
We covered a lot of ground in this first part, and I'm really excited for you to hear what's coming up in parts two and three. So, thanks for listening today. If you have any questions or want to learn more, please reach out via the show notes below. You can also subscribe to our newsletter for more important links and tools mentioned in this podcast. You can find all the details at aicoments.co.uk. See you next time!
The AI Moment: Lazy AI & The Implications
Want to go deeper on our newsletter that supports each and every episode at dannydenhard.com/aipod
Got questions contact us on ai@dannydenhard.com or via our site dannydenhard.com/aipod
Episode Summary:
Thanks for listening to Jonathan (Wagstaffe) and me (Danny Denhard).
We dive into a common and frustrating issue: 'Lazy AI'.
We discuss how the unthinking, copy-and-paste use of AI-generated content for business outreach is not only ineffective but actively damaging to personal and professional brands.
Our conversation highlights the pitfalls of prioritising quantity over quality and the growing savvy of audiences who can easily spot generic, AI-driven messages.
We share real-world examples, including an amusing anecdote about a British MP using an Americanism in a speech, clearly showing the lack of human review.
The episode's core message is a plea for authenticity and a call to use AI as a smart drafting assistant, not as a lazy substitute for genuine human connection.
Key Takeaways:
Damaging Your Brand: Discover how unedited AI outreach can actively push away potential clients and partners, making a worse impression than no contact at all.
Quality Over Quantity: Learn why a smaller number of thoughtful, personalised messages will always outperform a bulk-sent, lazy AI campaign.
The Human Touch: The hosts stress that AI is a tool for ideation and drafting, but the final, authentic version of any communication must be reviewed and approved by a person.
Audience Savvy: We're all getting better at spotting AI-generated content. Find out why this means it's more important than ever to ensure your communications feel genuine.
Smart AI in Action: Hear about companies like Intercom and Sierra that are using AI intelligently for customer support, focusing on positive, outcome-based results.
Episode Links & Mentions:
Intercom: A company using AI to deliver high-quality customer support.
Sierra: Bret Taylor's company, focusing on outcome-based results in customer support.
Subscribe & Follow:
Don't miss a moment! Subscribe to The AI Moment podcast for more insights into the world of artificial intelligence and its impact on business and life.
AI Moment Podcast 17: Why Your Business Needs a Prompt Library
Thanks for listening today
In this episode, Jonathan and I (Danny Denhard) dive deep into the world of prompt libraries.
---
Want to go deeper on our newsletter that supports each and every episode at dannydenhard.com/aipod
Got questions contact us on ai@dannydenhard.com or via our site dannydenhard.com/aipod
---
We explain what they are, why they're essential for businesses, and whether you actually need one. We discuss how a prompt library is a brilliant way to expand the use of AI beyond simple tasks like writing emails or creating content, and how it helps departments quickly spread best practices.
We explore the many benefits, starting with how a prompt library gives team members a head start and sets a good standard for work. It effectively solves the "blank page problem," giving people a solid starting point.
We also chat about fostering healthy competition with ideas like a monthly "prompt contest" to encourage wider use and innovation with AI.
From an operational perspective, a prompt library is a smart move that can significantly reduce internal costs.
It streamlines the onboarding process for new hires, giving them immediate access to the company's quality standards and existing prompts. Think of it as a living, expanding knowledge centre that can give your business a competitive edge, especially when recruiting.
We also touch on the different ways to organise a library, such as by department, team, or even cross-functionally.
A well-structured library ensures a smooth handover when someone is away on holiday.
As a final takeaway, we agree that prompt libraries are a fantastic tool to get people up to speed with AI quickly and working together more effectively.
Key Takeaways:
Solve the "Blank Page Problem": A prompt library provides a template to help team members get started and sets a good standard.
Encourage Best Practices: It's a great way to spread knowledge and best practices across departments
Reduce Costs: The library can save time and money, particularly during employee onboarding
Boost Collaboration: It can be used to create cross-functional prompts that improve teamwork and
Competitive Edge: It can act as a knowledge centre that attracts and retains talent.
Tools Mentioned:
Notion
Google Docs
Going Beyond Search & Stream – Preparing for the Agentic Web
>> Sign up to our newsletter accompanying every podcast aimoment.co.uk
Ever wished you could just tell your computer to "buy the best concert tickets for under £150" and have it done?
Welcome to the agentic web, the next evolution of the internet that we explore in this episode of AI Moment.
We break down what this monumental shift from a "search" model to an "agent" model means for you and your business.
This new phase isn't about chatbots answering questions; it's about autonomous AI agents with the authority and budget to execute complex tasks on our behalf.
As we discuss,
"The agentic web is basically the next phase of where we will have agents or bots that will go and complete tasks on its own and have a way to spend some money or a set budget on an action to take." With major players like Anthropic and Microsoft building the technical foundation, this future is closer than you think—potentially on a 12 to 18-month roadmap.
We unpack the enormous opportunities this creates. For businesses that prepare now, the potential is vast.
As we argue, "If you invest early, because the adoption will be slower and then ramp right up, there's a huge opportunity to make significant ROI in this."
However, we also tackle the significant challenges, from security and fraud to the need for robust governance frameworks when AI has access to your wallet.
Finally, we look at the workforce transformation ahead. This isn't about job replacement but job evolution, requiring new strategies across entire organizations. "Marketing's gonna have to adapt to agentic marketing, customer services... they're gonna be dealing with bots, not just consumers and customers."
Tools Mentioned
ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini & NotebookLM
Episode Show Notes:
Your AI Isn't Just a Smart Friend—It's (Potentially) Your New Research Analyst
>> Subscribe to our newsletter see Danny walk through his Adidas & Arsenal example through Gemini aimoment.co.uk
Is your business tapping into the full potential of its AI tools?
In this episode, Jonathan and Danny dive into the game-changing "deep research" feature available in platforms like Gemini, Claude, and ChatGPT.
They argue that business leaders need to stop seeing AI as just a smart, knowledgeable friend and start treating it as a dedicated, highly trained research analyst.
This powerful function transforms the AI into a specialist capable of producing in-depth, consulting-level reports on complex topics. Unlike standard queries, deep research performs extended reasoning to generate substantial, transparent, and fully-cited documents that can save your business significant time and money.
Danny shares a compelling example of how he used the feature to analyse the intricate $75 million Adidas and Arsenal sponsorship deal in just 10 minutes—a task that would have previously taken days. This capability is a direct disruptor to the consulting industry, where similar reports could cost thousands of pounds.
Despite its power, adoption is shockingly low, with fewer than 10% of users taking advantage of it.
The episode concluded with a strong call to action for executives to start experimenting with this feature immediately to gain a competitive edge.
Key Takeaways
Top Quotes From This Episode
Tools Mentioned
Today's AI Moment Pod Answers: Is SEO Dying or Just Evolving In The AI World?
>> Sign up to our newsletter accompanying every podcast aimoment.co.uk
In this episode of AI Moment, hosts Jonathan Wagstaffe and Danny Denhard tackle the burning question for marketers everywhere: Is AI killing SEO? 🧐
Our consensus is clear:
SEO isn't dead, but it is undergoing a radical transformation. The game has changed from optimising for "search engines" to strategizing for "answer engines."
The core user need to find information remains, but AI has fundamentally altered the journey. Jonathan highlights a critical shift, citing SparkToro data that shows nearly 60% of searches are now "zero-click," with users getting answers directly from AI summaries on the results page.
Jonathan warns, "The days when you could decide on a keyword, write a blog post around that keyword, SEO the life out of it, and then drive a load of traffic to your website have also gone."
Danny introduces a new way to think about this landscape, differentiating between traditional search engines that provide options and new "answer engines" that deliver direct outputs. "You've now got what, a new breed of engine, which is an answer engine, which is like perplexity, which gives you very succinct answers very quickly," he notes.
Understanding user intent is now paramount.
Danny (Denhard) break down the customer journey into four states: Educate, Want, Need, and Action.
While traditional SEO focused on the first three, AI accelerates the entire process. "With AI, you can be very quickly escalated from the education all the way through to purchase really quickly," Danny explains.
Despite the hype, AI search adoption is still only 1-2%, offering a crucial window for businesses to adapt. The episode concludes by looking ahead to the next big shift: the rise of "Agentic AI" within the next 18 months. Now is the time to reassess your strategy for the next evolution of search. 🚀
Tools Mentioned:
Google, SparkToro, Perplexity, YouTube, LinkedIn, Facebook, Gemini, Claude, ChatGPT, Co-pilot, and Llama.
🎙️ The AI Moment Podcast - Is AI Going to Take Your Job? - Show Notes
Exec Summary:
Jonathan and I dove into the pervasive question: "Is AI going to take your job?" We explored the common, yet simplistic, phrase, "AI won't take your job, but somebody using AI will take your job," and why we both believe it misses the larger picture.
Historically, technological shifts have always led to job displacement and creation, and AI is no different.
While there will be some short-term turbulence as companies adjust, we firmly believe that AI will create significantly more jobs than it destroys in the long run.
My (Danny's) perspective is that we'll experience a "rollercoaster" in the short to mid-term as businesses figure out the ROI of AI and some might use it to cut headcount. However, the long-term outlook is overwhelmingly positive, with increased investment in AI leading to a greater demand for skilled individuals. We're still in the "crawl" phase of AI, and the opportunities for those who upskill are immense.
The Tools & Resources Mentioned:
The Key Takeaway:
The overarching message from this episode is clear: AI is an evolutionary force that will ultimately create more jobs than it displaces. While we might see a "rollercoaster" in the short term as industries adapt and some roles shift, the long-term outlook for the global job market due to AI is positive. The most crucial action individuals can take is to proactively acquire AI skills. As Jonathan put it, the opportunities are "huge," and those who embrace learning will secure and enhance their career prospects. As I emphasized, 2026 might be the year where AI's ROI truly solidifies, leading smart firms to accelerate investment and hiring, further driving job growth.
Connect with Us:
Have more questions about AI and leadership? Reach out to us directly by emailing ai@dannydenhard.com or hit message below
On LinkedIn
Listen and Subscribe:
Don't miss future episodes of The AI Moment! Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform.
If you were shared this episode & enjoyed it, please subscribe below to your favourite player or platform of choice.
Thanks for listening today
Danny Denhard & Jonathan Wagstaffe
🎙️ The AI Moment Podcast - Show Notes
Exec Summary
On this episode of "The AI Moment," Jonathan Wagstaffe and I, Danny Denhard, dive into six individuals and resources we believe are essential for anyone looking to boost their AI understanding. We each shared our top three picks, emphasizing that these voices offer diverse and valuable perspectives.
Our core aim is to give you a diverse set of voices to help you progress on your AI journey.
I highlighted Harper Carroll for her knack for simplifying complex AI concepts, the "No Priors" podcast for its expert interviews, and Nicholas Thompson of The Atlantic for his business insights into AI.
Jonathan recommended Ethan Molik for his practical AI principles, Paul Roetzer for his focus on AI in sales and marketing, and Carrie Weston for his hands-on ChatGPT experiments. I even threw in a few bonus recommendations!
Links To The Great AI People
Key Takeaway
The world of AI is vast and ever-changing, but by intentionally following thoughtful experts and engaging with quality content, you can significantly enhance your knowledge and practical application of AI. These six, plus a few others, offer practical advice, deep dives, and clear explanations to help you navigate and leverage AI effectively, regardless of your starting point. Remember to be the "human in the loop" and embrace that today's AI is the worst it will ever be – meaning it's only going to get better!
Connect with Us:
Have more questions about AI and leadership? Reach out to us directly by emailing ai@dannydenhard.com or hit message below
Listen and Subscribe:
Don't miss future episodes of The AI Moment! Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform.
If you were shared this episode & enjoyed it, please subscribe below to your favourite player or platform of choice.
Thanks for listening today
Danny Denhard & Jonathan Wagstaffe
Connect With Us On LinkedIn
The 3 things to consider as leaders in the AI world Podcast
We are now live as a newsletter - sending the pod and short form newsletter ensuring you don't miss an episode or any essential accompanying info or deep dives. https://aimomentpodcast.substack.com/subscribe
AI Moment Podcast Show Notes 🎙️
Exec Summary
In this episode, hosts Jonathan Wagstaffe and Danny Denhard discuss the three crucial considerations for leaders in the age of AI. They emphasise that AI is not just a technological upgrade, but a "sea change" in how the world operates, comparable to the advent of the wheel or electricity. Leaders must educate themselves on AI to navigate this shift. The hosts outline three key questions every business leader should ask themselves to prepare for the future of AI.
Tools Mentioned 🛠️
The Key Takeaway 🔑
The three essential questions for leaders to consider are:
Connect with Us:
Have more questions about AI and leadership? Reach out to us directly by emailing ai@dannydenhard.com or hit message below
On LinkedIn
Listen and Subscribe:
Don't miss future episodes of The AI Moment! Subscribe on your favourite podcast platform.
If you were shared this episode & enjoyed it, please subscribe below to your favourite player or platform of choice.
Thanks for listening today
Danny Denhard & Jonathan Wagstaffe
Elevating Leadership Skills with AI: Practical Insights and Tools
Thanks for listening to the AI Moment podcast today.
We are now live with a newsletter and podcast so you won't miss a pod and the extra's we share https://aimomentpodcast.substack.com/subscribe
Exec Summary
In a world where artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly becoming an invaluable tool, many leaders are exploring ways to harness this technology to enhance their leadership skills.
In this episode of "The AI Moment," hosts Jonathan Wagstaffe and Danny Denhard engage in a deep dive into how AI can assist leaders in improving their skills, drawing from personal experiences and practical applications.
Danny's Recommendations
If you would like an email with every pod, we are live with AI moment site and newsletter - subscribe here
If you have been shared this episode and enjoyed or learnt something today, please subscribe below to your favourite player or platform of choice.