In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl sits down with Nathan Pettyjohn—founder of the Applied AI Association and AR/VR Association—to ask a bold question: Could AI help us move to a two-day workweek? Nathan shares how AI is reshaping work, entrepreneurship, and daily life, and why he believes the key to thriving in an automated world is not fear—but adaptation, purpose, and community.They explore the rise of the solopreneur, what’s missing in the AI conversation, and why “productive happiness” might be the ultimate metric. Nathan also talks about his upcoming book, how kids are interacting with AI as companions, and how smart agents and humanoid robots may impact healthcare, aging, and the future of labor. From back-end processes to value alignment, this episode is a wide-ranging and hopeful look at what’s possible when we apply AI thoughtfully.00:00 – Intro: Can AI unlock a two-day workweek?02:05 – Meet Nathan: Entrepreneur, author, community builder05:10 – The origin of the AR/VR Association and Applied AI Association08:40 – Productivity gains vs. universal basic income11:20 – Are hallucinations holding us back—or just a phase?15:00 – Values, trust, and how AI reflects our human flaws18:20 – How kids, creators, and coders are using AI differently21:40 – The future of wearables and voice-first interaction25:00 – Generative AI meets robotics: When hardware and software combine30:20 – Healthcare, aging, and where robots fit in36:00 – The hype and promise of generative AI in the back office40:30 – Nathan’s book, workshops, and AI-powered micro-vacations45:15 – Solopreneurs, legacy systems, and the need for mindset shifts50:00 – Teaching the next generation to thrive with AI55:00 – Final thoughts: What blocks participation, and how to take the first step🌐 Learn more about Nathan: https://nathanpettyjohn.com🤖 Applied AI Association: https://appliedaiassociation.org📲 Follow Nathan on LinkedIn: Nathan PettyjohnFollow Cheryl:Website: https://findgood.techInstagram: @findgood.techLinkedIn: ckgoodman