Mind the Machine

• PR vs AI: How Communicators Stay Relevant in a Zero-Click World

  In this episode of Mind the Machine Podcast, we sit down with Julie Wright, president and founder of Wright On Communications, to discuss how artificial intelligence is reshaping public relations. Julie explains the shift from traditional SEO to generative engine optimization (GEO), why “answer engines” are replacing search engines, and what this means for brands trying to be discovered online.She shares practical strategies for building visibility in an AI-driven world, the importance of credibility and trust, and how PR professionals can adapt to zero-click searches and AI summaries. We also explore broader issues of truth, trust, and journalism in the age of large language models, and what the future holds for young professionals entering the field.🔗 Learn more about Wright On Communications: https://wrightoncomm.com/💼 Follow Julie Wright on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieawrightFollow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/00:00 Introduction: PR, AI, and the rise of GEO01:11 Julie Wright on how AI is changing public relations02:29 From transactional marketing to relational AI visibility04:57 Generative Engine Optimization vs SEO07:22 Zero-click searches, earned media, and AI citations10:35 Answer engines, Perplexity, and Pro Rata AI13:26 Truth, trust, and the risks of manipulating AI17:09 Hallucinations, citations, and the limits of AI reliability20:55 Fear, anxiety, and the role of relationships in PR24:44 Building relational equity in the AI era27:37 White paper insights: how to influence LLMs30:59 Practical ways to raise visibility in AI platforms34:33 Press releases, syndication, and evolving PR tools39:55 Favorite tools, ChatGPT, and hopes for the future of AI at work43:24 Wrapping up: PR’s future and the state of the industry

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• How Aytekin Tank Built an AI-Ready Company Before the AI Boom

  Aytekin Tank, CEO of Jotform, has been thinking about automation for nearly 20 years—long before the current wave of AI tools. In this episode of Mind the Machine Podcast, he shares how his early ideas about productivity and workflow design laid the foundation for his company to integrate AI in a meaningful way.We explore the rise of AI agents, how customer service is changing, and what most businesses still get wrong about automation. Aytekin also talks about his personal journey as a founder, what he wishes more people understood about time management, and why the ability to recognize greatness might matter more than being an expert.Whether you’re a startup founder, an AI builder, or someone trying to future-proof your career, this conversation is packed with timeless insights.🔗 Learn more about Jotform: https://www.jotform.com💼 Follow Aytekin Tank on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aytekintank/🔗 Learn more about Accenture: https://www.accenture.com💼 Follow Andrea Yoder Clark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreayoderclark/Follow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/Timestamps:00:00 — The 4 big technology revolutions Aytekin has witnessed01:34 — What Jotform really solves (it’s not just forms)04:13 — How Jotform is turning forms into AI-powered experiences06:20 — From 25% to 75% resolution: using AI in customer support10:11 — AI + human = better customer service13:12 — Aytekin’s book on automation became unexpectedly relevant14:43 — The automation flywheel and how to apply it18:14 — Why AI agents are the future of productivity22:04 — How Aytekin uses AI for personal research31:07 — Why AI is like a dragon—and why you have to tame it

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• You Don’t Need to Be a Coder to Win with AI

  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/Follow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/Timestamps:00:00 – Why small businesses should invest in AI agents01:18 – What an AI agent actually is (and use cases)03:06 – Why now is the right time for SMB automation04:00 – Advice for young entrepreneurs in AI06:00 – AI and efficiency: how to think about impact08:57 – Key differences between small and large businesses using AI11:42 – How to handle AI hype and build trust14:05 – Tech for good: ethical must-haves for startups17:40 – Andrea’s view on the future of AI: hopeful but cautious21:27 – Confidential compute and why it matters25:01 – Data protection, governance, and bias prevention29:23 – Startups and the massive opportunity in ethical AI32:18 – Andrea’s personal story of resilience and purpose36:07 – What makes a great AI leader today40:11 – Why we can’t yet grasp how AI will change everything42:48 – Her advice for making a meaningful impact in the AI era45:35 – Small language models and the power of personalized AI

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• Can AI Really Help Us Resolve Conflict?

  In this episode of Mind the Machine Podcast, Cheryl talks with Ashley Virtue from the National Conflict Resolution Center about one of the most human questions of our time: can AI actually help us resolve conflict? They explore the emotional roots of fear, the importance of belonging, and how trust and authenticity play a role in how we navigate both human tension and technological change.Ashley shares how the art of conflict resolution has evolved, what timeless truths still hold up, and why AI will never fully replace the human experience of being seen, heard, and understood. They also discuss the future of mediation, how chatbots are already filling unexpected roles, and what workplace leaders must do now to prepare for AI-fueled transitions.00:00 – Fear, misunderstanding, and the root of conflict00:24 – Can AI help us resolve conflict?01:12 – What the National Conflict Resolution Center actually does03:10 – Making conflict resolution tools available to everyone05:03 – Why fear of AI is really fear of not belonging07:00 – Turning fear into hope through education08:30 – What we lose when we don’t feel included in tech conversations10:10 – Preparing workplaces for AI-related change12:10 – Timeless truths of conflict and what people really need14:00 – Why “resolution” doesn’t always mean a good outcome15:30 – The problem with calling AI “magic”17:00 – Can chatbots mediate conflict?18:30 – The danger of baked-in bias in human vs. AI mediators20:50 – Why managers struggle with mediation too23:00 – Reflection, healing, and the role of authenticity25:15 – The last mile: can AI truly replicate empathy?28:00 – Why “humans in the loop” isn’t just a buzzword30:00 – Free workplace conflict resources from NCRC🌐 Learn more about the National Conflict Resolution Center: https://www.ncrconline.com💼 Connect with Ashley Virtue: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ashley-virtue/Follow Mind the Machine Podcast:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mindthemachinepodcastTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@mindthemachinepodcastWebsite: https://findgood.tech/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/findgood-tech/

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• How a Personal Tragedy Sparked an AI Healthcare Revolution

  In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl talks with Pelu Tran, CEO of Ferrum Health, about how AI is quietly transforming healthcare—not by replacing doctors, but by making the system smarter, faster, and more humane. They dive deep into how AI tools are catching missed cancers, improving patient follow-up, and reducing dangerous inefficiencies hiding in plain sight.Pelu shares powerful personal stories that drive his mission, unpacks the real obstacles to AI adoption in hospitals, and explains how Ferrum’s platform is helping health systems safely deploy and manage hundreds of AI tools at once. This conversation is a must-watch for anyone who cares about healthcare innovation, patient safety, or the future of human-centered AI.00:00 – Intro: A personal story that fuels the mission01:30 – Why hospitals struggle with AI adoption04:50 – What Ferrum Health actually does07:00 – The startup mindset that actually works09:00 – How AI can prevent burnout in doctors and nurses11:20 – Missed diagnoses, late follow-ups, and the real cost of inefficiency13:45 – What needs to change in the U.S. healthcare system16:00 – Will AI replace jobs—or reduce drudgery?18:30 – What a utopian, AI-powered health system could look like23:00 – Why practical AI matters more than flashy tools27:00 – Are we in a hype cycle—or just underestimating AI again?30:00 – Hallucinations, error rates, and the real risks of AI in medicine33:00 – Bias in AI vs. bias in current healthcare34:00 – What gives Pelu hope about the future of medicine🌐 Learn more about Ferrum Health: https://www.ferrumhealth.com💼 Connect with Pelu Tran: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pelutran/Follow Cheryl:🌐 Website: https://findgood.tech📸 Instagram: https://instagram.com/findgood.tech💼 LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ckgoodman/

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