This week on AI Lab Unfiltered, we’re replaying one of our most-listened-to episodes. Drew and Pete sit down with Alex Mead to explore some of the big conversations shaping AI right now—from AI reasoning and chain of thought to data privacy, running models locally, and the technical side of quantization. They also dig into the difference between AI automation and AI agents, how the definition of AI is evolving, and what the future might look like with AI influencers, digital companions, and new forms of communication. It’s a wide-ranging conversation about where the technology is headed and what it could mean for society.

Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction to AI and Guest Background
(01:29) DeepSeek: The New AI Model
(03:50) Understanding Chain of Thought and Reasoning in AI
(09:04) DeepSeek's Impact on the AI Landscape
(11:59) Concerns About Data Privacy with DeepSeek
(14:56) Running AI Models Locally and Their Accessibility
(18:14) Understanding AI Automation and Agents
(21:37) The Evolution of AI Definitions
(24:54) AI Frameworks and Their Applications
(27:57) The Future of AI Influencers
(34:39) AI Companions and Their Impact
(35:26) The Role of AI in Combating Loneliness
(38:16) Open Source vs Closed Source AI Models
(41:10) Regulation and Its Impact on AI Development
(44:51) The Future of AI: Tools and Applications
(48:09) Innovative AI Solutions in Communication

AI adoption doesn’t fail because the tools aren’t powerful—it fails because organizations don’t treat AI like a system.

Drew Veach (BizStream) and Pete Terryn (NuWave) sit down with Taryn Kutches, co-founder of Joyn Collective, to unpack what “systems thinking” actually looks like in the real world: aligning people, process, and data, mapping your current state vs. future state, and building a now/near/next roadmap that teams can follow.

They also dig into the most overlooked part of AI transformation: behavior change. From balancing “business architecture” with “behavioral architecture” to reframing AI from “efficiency” to “new value,” this conversation is a practical guide for leaders who know they need to do something with AI—but aren’t sure where to start.

Chapters
(00:00) Systems Thinking in AI: People, Process & Data
(01:36) Meet Taryn Kutches + The Joyn Collective Origin Story
(02:42) Mechanical Engineering → Why Systems Thinking Matters
(06:23) What “Systems Thinking” Actually Looks Like in Organizations
(08:39) Mapping Current State → Future State → Now/Near/Next Roadmap
(11:20) AI Is Just the Tool — Don’t Start With Implementation
(12:43) Business Architecture vs. Behavioral Architecture
(16:23) Fear, Leadership Vulnerability & AI Adoption
(21:08) “The Future Is Collective” — Why Transformation Takes Partners
(24:07) Why Behavior Change Is Harder Than Technology
(30:06) From Efficiency to New Value — Reframing AI’s Purpose
(36:00) The Future of AI: More Human Work, Not Less

What if AI isn’t about replacing people… but restoring them?

In this episode of AI Lab Unfiltered, Drew Veach (BizStream) and Pete Terryn (NuWave) sit down with Josh Ross, founder of Scalable AI, to explore how AI is transforming real businesses — not with flashy avatars or hype, but by eliminating the soul-crushing, repetitive work that keeps talented people stuck.

From invoice anomaly detection to automating RFQ routing in manufacturing, Josh shares practical, boots-on-the-ground AI implementations that are saving companies time, increasing margins, and giving employees their strategic thinking back.

You’ll hear how:

• A $20M business owner reclaimed 8-hour workdays from manual invoice review
• AI is filtering RFQs and boosting profitability in manufacturing
• Companies are preserving “tribal knowledge” before senior employees retire
• Internal AI chatbots are becoming the “brain” of modern businesses
• Development teams are using tools like Claude and AI agents to multiply output

This isn’t about replacing jobs.
It’s about removing the robotic parts of work — so humans can do what they’re actually good at.

If you’ve ever thought, “There has to be a better way to do this,” this episode is for you.

Chapters

(00:00:07) Welcome to AI Lab Unfiltered + ThinkTank Shoutout
(00:02:00) Josh Ross and the Origin of Scalable AI
(00:03:00) The 20-Year-Old Who Told a $20M Founder “There’s a Better Way”
(00:04:30) Invoice Review Automation: AI as an Anomaly Filter
(00:08:30) Accounts Payable Automation & Human-in-the-Loop Governance
(00:14:00) “Make People Human Again” – Eliminating Robotic Work
(00:17:00) RFQ Routing in Manufacturing: Filtering for Profitability
(00:19:00) Engineering Time Is Gold: Let AI Handle the First Pass
(00:22:00) Preserving Tribal Knowledge Before It Retires
(00:23:30) The AI Brain for Your Business: Internal Chatbots & BizBot
(00:28:30) From Snowblower Manuals to AI-Powered Document Search
(00:32:00) From Custom Builds to Scalable AI SaaS
(00:35:00) How Much Code Is AI Actually Writing? (Claude, Agents & Skills)
(00:41:00) Will AI Replace Developers? Or Elevate Them?
(00:43:00) Stop Chasing Shiny AI — Solve Real Problems First

In this episode of AI Lab Unfiltered, Drew Beach (BizStream) and Pete Terran (New Wave) dig into the fast-evolving world of AI-powered devices—smart glasses, recording pendants, and the “always-on” assistants that are starting to feel normal.

They talk through the real questions people are bumping into: etiquette and consent, security and privacy, and whether these tools amplify your attention—or quietly replace your critical thinking. From networking use-cases (remembering names, capturing conversations) to everyday life (finding your keys, navigating a city, even making healthier choices), they explore what’s already possible today—and what’s coming next as wearables get more personalized, more proactive, and yes… more ad-supported.

By the end, they land on a simple challenge: the tech is here—so what rules do we need before it’s everywhere?

Chapters
(00:00) Intro + ThinkTank Shoutout
(01:40) Why We’re Talking About AI Wearables
(02:53) Privacy, Consent & “Always-On” Recording
(04:43) Real-World Test: Using an AI Pendant in NYC
(07:12) Networking Superpowers (Names, Memory & Follow-Up)
(09:22) Heads-Up Displays & AR Navigation
(10:46) Visual Memory: Finding Keys, Ketchup & Context
(12:49) Facial Recognition & AI-Driven Human Connections
(17:18) AI as a Behavioral Coach (Food, Fitness & Habits)
(20:16) AI vs Medication: Behavior Modification Debate
(25:44) Hyper-Personalization vs Advertising Overload
(32:34) Final Thoughts: Buying the Glasses & What’s Next

In this episode of AI Lab Unfiltered, hosts Drew Veach and Pete Terryn unpack the real implications of agentic AI: systems that browse the web, make decisions, execute tasks, and continuously improve without constant human input.

They discuss real-world use cases, emerging risks, guardrails businesses must consider, and why agentic AI could fundamentally change how software, teams, and workflows operate.

If you’re curious about where AI is heading next—and how close we are to autonomous digital assistants—this conversation is essential listening.

Chapters:
(00:00) What Is Agentic AI and Why It Matters
(03:12) From Chatbots to Autonomous AI Agents
(07:45) Real Examples of AI Acting on Your Behalf
(12:30) When AI Spends Money Without Permission
(18:10) Human-in-the-Loop vs Full Autonomy
(23:40) Business Use Cases for AI Agents Today
(29:15) Why Guardrails and Policies Matter
(34:50) AI Agents vs Traditional Software Tools
(41:05) The Future of Agentic AI in Everyday Life
(47:30) Final Thoughts: Where This Is All Heading

👉 Watch more episodes to keep up with what’s next in AI.

AI can generate answers instantly—but speed doesn’t guarantee accuracy or good judgment.

In this episode of AI Lab Unfiltered, Drew Veach and Pete Terryn explore why trusting AI too quickly can create hidden risks. They discuss how confidence in AI outputs can be misleading, why context matters more than ever, and what responsibility leaders still carry when using AI to inform decisions.

This conversation is for anyone using AI to think, decide, or lead—and wants to avoid mistaking answers for understanding.

Episode Chapters:

• (0:00) AI answers vs. real understanding
• (0:06) Why confidence doesn’t equal correctness
• (0:12) The danger of context-free answers
• (0:18) When AI replaces judgment
• (0:24) Leadership responsibility in AI use
• (0:30) Using AI without losing accountability
• (0:36) Final takeaways on trust and technology

👉 Listen to more episodes of AI Lab Unfiltered to keep learning.

AI is now embedded in how we work—but that doesn’t mean it’s being used intentionally.

In this episode of AI Lab Unfiltered, Drew Veach and Pete Terryn explore how widespread AI adoption is changing decision-making, leadership, and responsibility. They unpack where AI truly adds value, where it quietly creates risk, and why defaulting to automation can weaken judgment instead of strengthening it.

This conversation is for anyone using AI in their work who wants to stay thoughtful, effective, and accountable—rather than just fast.

Episode Chapters:

• (0:00) AI is everywhere—now what?
• (0:07) When adoption moves faster than understanding
• (0:13) Using AI vs. defaulting to it
• (0:19) The hidden cost of AI shortcuts
• (0:25) Leadership responsibility in AI use
• (0:31) How to use AI intentionally
• (0:37) Final takeaways

👉 Listen to more episodes of AI Lab Unfiltered to continue the conversation.

AI can deliver answers instantly—but is that helping us think, or quietly replacing critical thinking altogether?

In this episode of AI Lab Unfiltered, Drew Veach and Pete Terryn unpack how AI is reshaping decision-making and leadership. As AI becomes easier to rely on, they explore why speed doesn’t always equal clarity, and how judgment, responsibility, and context still matter more than ever.

This conversation challenges the assumption that smarter tools automatically lead to better outcomes. If you’re using AI to guide decisions or shape strategy, this episode will help you rethink how much thinking should never be outsourced.

Episode Chapters:

• (0:00) Is AI improving thinking or replacing it?
• (0:06) The risk of instant answers
• (0:12) Speed vs. understanding
• (0:18) Where AI truly adds value
• (0:24) Leadership and responsibility in AI adoption
• (0:30) When automation creates blind spots
• (0:36) Using AI to support—not replace—thinking

👉 Listen to more episodes of AI Lab Unfiltered to continue the conversation.