
In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl sits down with Dr. Andrea Yoder Clark of Accenture to explore how small and medium-sized businesses can harness the power of AI agents for real productivity gains—ethically. They break down what AI agents actually are, how they’re reshaping industries, and why now is the moment for companies of all sizes to lean into automation.
Dr. Yoder Clark unpacks the hype from the reality, shares must-know strategies for data safety and responsible AI, and explains why integrity, critical thinking, and creativity are the leadership skills of the AI era. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or just AI-curious, this conversation will give you uncommon insights into the future of ethical, human-centered innovation.
🔗 Learn more about Accenture: https://www.accenture.com
💼 Follow Andrea Yoder Clark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreayoderclark/
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Timestamps:
00:00 – Why small businesses should invest in AI agents
01:18 – What an AI agent actually is (and use cases)
03:06 – Why now is the right time for SMB automation
04:00 – Advice for young entrepreneurs in AI
06:00 – AI and efficiency: how to think about impact
08:57 – Key differences between small and large businesses using AI
11:42 – How to handle AI hype and build trust
14:05 – Tech for good: ethical must-haves for startups
17:40 – Andrea’s view on the future of AI: hopeful but cautious
21:27 – Confidential compute and why it matters
25:01 – Data protection, governance, and bias prevention
29:23 – Startups and the massive opportunity in ethical AI
32:18 – Andrea’s personal story of resilience and purpose
36:07 – What makes a great AI leader today
40:11 – Why we can’t yet grasp how AI will change everything
42:48 – Her advice for making a meaningful impact in the AI era
45:35 – Small language models and the power of personalized AI