Podcast Summary: “The Future of AI in Business: What Owners Need to Know to Stay Ahead”

Epic Success with Dr. Shannon Irvine
Date: October 29, 2025
Guest: Rick Mulready

Episode Overview

In this episode, Dr. Shannon Irvine sits down with AI strategist and business coach Rick Mulready to demystify artificial intelligence for entrepreneurs. Together, they explore where AI stands today, its adoption curve, practical ways business owners—even those just starting out—can leverage AI, and how to address privacy concerns and future-proof your business. The discussion is honest, pragmatic, and peppered with actionable advice for any business owner feeling unsure or left behind by the "wild west" pace of AI innovation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Current State of AI & Adoption (00:40 – 05:55)

• AI’s Momentum and Perceived Lull:
  Rick notes that despite steady technical advances, there’s currently a "lull" in business adoption of AI, particularly following the underwhelming release of GPT-5. The business adoption hasn’t matched early projections, though personal use is skyrocketing.
• Models and Use Cases:
  • Claude (by Anthropic): Favored for work delegation and task automation.
  • ChatGPT: Predominantly used as a sophisticated search tool, “almost like a glorified Google.”
• Next Big Step: Agentic Capabilities:
  Businesses will soon move to broader use of agent capabilities—AIs that solve complex problems or automate entire processes.
• AI Hallucinations:
  OpenAI's recent study revealed hallucinations (AIs making things up) often stem from flawed training methods.

Notable Quote:

• “It almost feels like we've hit sort of a tipping point with the level of advancement in these models...” – Rick (03:45)

2. Feeling Behind & Blue Ocean Opportunities (05:55 – 07:22)

• Most Owners Feel Behind:
  Dr. Shannon’s survey found 98% of business owners feel outpaced by AI.
• Reality Check:
  Rick reassures that even basic proficiency (like prompt engineering) puts one far ahead of the average business, emphasizing we're all early adopters.

3. Practical AI Applications for Business Owners (07:22 – 13:01)

• Accessibility of App Development & Automation:
  • Tools like Lovable, Bolt, and Replit allow non-coders to develop apps, automate workflows, and connect APIs.
  • Example: Dr. Shannon’s app development quote dropped from $1.2M to minimal cost using AI tools.
• Courses & Client Results:
  • AI enables faster results for students/clients (e.g., instant audience research, automated content personalization).
• Encouragement to Experiment:
  “Ask ChatGPT, ‘How can I create this? Give me ideas.’”

Notable Quote:

• “It’s thinking differently…how can we leverage AI to create things impossible even a year ago?” – Rick (08:23)

4. Protecting Intellectual Property (13:39 – 17:29)

• The IP & Data Privacy Dilemma:
  • AI platforms default to using user data for training; even previously privacy-conscious models like Claude are opting in.
  • Rule of Thumb: Don’t share anything with AI you wouldn’t want published on Reddit.
  • Some privacy controls exist, but user awareness is critical.

Notable Quotes:

• “If there is something that you absolutely do not want anybody knowing about, I would not be uploading it to AI.” – Rick (16:55)

5. Where to Start Using AI in Business (18:00 – 22:31)

• Start Small:
  • Idea Generation: Use ChatGPT or Claude for brainstorming and strategic thinking.
  • Critical Thinking/Prompting: Clear articulation is more important than technical prompting expertise.
• Time Audit:
  • Analyze repetitive or disliked tasks for potential AI delegation.
  • Enhance your team’s value and productivity, don’t simply replace people.
• No One-Tool Solution:
  Experiment with multiple tools (Rick favors Claude for writing, ChatGPT for searching) as the landscape evolves rapidly.

Notable Quote:

• “You have to be able to clearly articulate what it is that you want done.” – Rick (19:02)

6. Training AI to Replicate Your Voice (22:31 – 27:29)

• Give Concrete Inputs:
  Feed the AI samples of your writing or transcripts if you’re more comfortable speaking than writing.
• Prompt Iteration:
  Ask the AI directly, “What do you need to sound like me?”
• Retention Features:
  Paid models of ChatGPT can save your style for reuse.
• Written vs. Spoken Nuance:
  Spoken-word uploads may yield different results—let the AI know what it’s processing.

Notable Moments:

• Shannon jokes about her book, written via voice, producing results different from written style. (25:44)
• “If you don’t want to read it on Reddit, don’t put it.” – Dr. Shannon (17:29)

7. Building AI Workflows & SOPs (27:31 – 31:29)

• Workflow as Leverage:
  Tools like Relay, Zapier, N8N, Make, Lindy, and MindPal help to automate and optimize repetitive processes.
• Integration:
  Many core business tools (like Loom) now have inbuilt AI, accelerating standard operating procedure (SOP) creation.

8. Looking Ahead: The Future of AI (31:29 – 36:36)

• Agentic AIs:
  Move toward models that autonomously solve complex tasks with minimal input.
• Centralizing Data & Context:
  Start centralizing your business knowledge (offers, FAQs, writing samples) to give AI the best context for customized work.
• Problem-Solving Mindset:
  Don’t shop for tools first; define your business problem, then find the AI solution.

Notable Quote:

• “Start with the problem first, and then…figure out what the tools are to solve that.” – Rick (35:12)

9. Tool Recommendations & Use Cases (37:44 – 43:03)

• Short-Form Video:
  • Opus Clip is the current favorite for cutting short-form videos, though still limited in contextual accuracy.
  • AI-generated faceless content isn’t a long-term strategy for authentic brands.
• Copywriting:
  • Claude (Sonnet) excels at natural-sounding, empathetic writing.
  • If you’ve mastered another tool, stick with what works for you.

10. Getting Started: Action Steps for AI Beginners (43:36 – 45:38)

• Pay for a Premium AI Service:
  Invest $20/month for access to Claude, ChatGPT, or Gemini to unlock full features.
• Conversational Use:
  Begin by having conversations, not just issuing commands—ask the AI what info it needs to help you.
• Daily Habit:
  Try to use AI for 15 minutes each day to build proficiency and confidence.

Notable Quote:

• “What other information do you need from me in order to execute this task to the best of your ability?” – Rick (44:24)

Notable Quotes & Moments

| Timestamp | Quote | Speaker | |---|---|---| | 03:45 | “It almost feels like we've hit sort of a tipping point with the level of advancement in these models...” | Rick Mulready | | 08:23 | “It’s thinking differently…how can we leverage AI to create things impossible even a year ago?” | Rick Mulready | | 16:55 | “If there is something that you absolutely do not want anybody knowing about, I would not be uploading it to AI.” | Rick Mulready | | 19:02 | “You have to be able to clearly articulate what it is that you want done.” | Rick Mulready | | 25:44 | “The whole book was written via voice because I'm a verbal processor...I guess I say ‘game changer’ a lot because it always pops that word up.” | Dr. Shannon Irvine | | 35:12 | “Start with the problem first, and then…figure out what the tools are to solve that.” | Rick Mulready | | 44:24 | “What other information do you need from me in order to execute this task to the best of your ability?” | Rick Mulready |

Important Timestamps

• 00:40 – Intro to AI’s current state & "wild west" analogy
• 01:30 – GPT-5 release and business vs. personal AI adoption
• 07:22 – Blue ocean opportunities for business owners
• 09:06 – App development: From million-dollar quotes to AI-powered do-it-yourself
• 14:16 – The realities of privacy, data sharing, and platform settings
• 19:00 – The necessity of clear prompts and critical thinking
• 22:31 – How to “train” AI on your personal or brand voice
• 27:31 – AI workflows and automating SOPs
• 32:17 – Crystal ball: agentic AIs and the future for businesses
• 37:44 – Rick’s recommendations for short-form video and copywriting AI tools
• 43:36 – Step-by-step startup actions for AI newbies

Final Advice

• Don’t chase every new tool. Define your problems first, then look for the AI solution.
• Centralize your knowledge and data so your chosen AI tools can deliver the most context-aware, impactful results.
• AI is an amplifier—it won’t replace the need for strategic thinking, clear processes, or authentic human connection.

For further help, check out Rick Mulready’s AI membership group or Dr. Shannon Irvine’s coaching resources. Remember: AI is moving fast, but there’s still time to claim your blue ocean. Start experimenting, stay curious, and let AI multiply the impact of your unique expertise!