Podcast Summary: #30 – AI with Jay Owen—How Smart Businesses Use It Without Losing the Human Touch
Podcast Information
- Title: Why That Worked – Presented by StoryBrand.ai
- Host/Author: StoryBrand.ai
- Episode: #30: AI with Jay Owen—How Smart Businesses Use It Without Losing the Human Touch
- Release Date: July 28, 2025
- Description: In this episode, hosts Donald Miller and Kyle Reed engage with Jay Owen, founder of AI With Jay, to explore how businesses can leverage artificial intelligence (AI) effectively without compromising the essential human elements of their operations.
Introduction
[00:00 - 00:25] Donald Miller and Kyle Reed introduce Jay Owen, highlighting his expertise as the founder of AI With Jay and a seasoned StoryBrand certified agency owner. Jay is commended for his dedication to equipping small business owners with practical AI strategies aimed at boosting productivity and streamlining operations, ultimately fostering growth and success.
Donald Miller:
"Jay is the founder of AI With Jay... you've made it your mission to equip small business owners with practical AI strategies to boost productivity and streamline operations."
[00:25]
Trust in AI and Its Evolution
[00:51 - 03:57]
The conversation begins with a discussion about the public's perception and trust in AI. Donald Miller reminisces about the early days of ChatGPT, questioning whether AI is still a hot topic.
Donald Miller:
_"I've heard of talk about it... you know, when ChatGPT first came out."
[01:25]
Jay Owen addresses concerns about AI's accuracy and the inherent confirmation bias present in many AI systems. He emphasizes the importance of creating messaging that is both accurate and true, acknowledging that while AI can be a powerful tool, it is not infallible.
Jay Owen:
"Everything requires a little bit of discernment... we always want to lean on all those things and not just totally trust what comes out of the AI."
[03:34]
He suggests leveraging custom memory settings in ChatGPT to make AI responses more skeptical and source-conscious, reducing the tendency for AI to simply affirm user inputs without critical analysis.
Jay Owen:
"Inside the settings in ChatGPT now, you can control... ask it to be a little skeptical of you and to always cite its sources."
[03:10]
Mitigating AI Confirmation Bias
[03:57 - 05:04]
Donald and Jay delve deeper into AI’s tendency to confirm user biases, comparing it to social media algorithms designed to maximize user engagement by feeding personalized content.
Jay Owen:
"AI has been... confirming that we like to be told we're right."
[03:26]
To counteract this, Jay recommends customizing AI interactions to foster a more balanced and critical dialogue.
Jay Owen:
"You can ask it to be a little skeptical and to always cite its sources."
[04:07]
Enhancing AI Interaction for Better Outcomes
[05:04 - 08:07]
The discussion shifts to practical ways to interact with AI to maximize its benefits. Jay emphasizes treating AI as a conversational partner rather than a mere tool for information retrieval. By prompting AI to ask insightful questions, users can achieve more refined and effective outcomes.
Jay Owen:
"It's a conversation more than a search engine."
[06:08]
He shares a personal hack of limiting AI to ask only the three most important questions at a time, preventing information overload and enhancing clarity.
Jay Owen:
"Ask for the three most important questions and give them one at a time."
[05:48]
Practical AI Tools: Whisper Flow
[07:58 - 09:17]
Jay introduces practical AI tools that can streamline business operations. One such tool is Whisper Flow, an AI-powered dictation app that integrates seamlessly at the OS level, offering highly accurate and formatted transcription without the need for manual punctuation.
Jay Owen:
"Whisper Flow is... dictate what I'm saying out loud with 99% accuracy."
[08:07]
He highlights the efficiency and accuracy of Whisper Flow, making it a preferred tool for those who need reliable dictation services.
AI's Impact on Trust and Messaging
[09:06 - 15:21]
The conversation explores AI’s dual role in enhancing and potentially undermining trust. Jay cites an incident where an AI-generated image caused a temporary stock market fluctuation, illustrating how quickly AI can influence public perception and trust.
Jay Owen:
"AI can create a convincing argument... which shows how quickly AI can cause trust to just totally collapse."
[09:37]
He stresses the importance of in-person interactions and human accountability in maintaining trust, asserting that while AI can handle data and provide information, it cannot replace the nuanced and empathetic aspects of human communication.
Jay Owen:
"AI doesn't replace the need for other people to come alongside us and actually hold us accountable and encourage us."
[12:06]
The Future of AI in Human Connection
[15:21 - 17:43]
Jay envisions a future where AI complements human interactions without supplanting them. He predicts a resurgence in the desire for in-person engagements as a counterbalance to the digital interactions facilitated by AI.
Jay Owen:
"There'll be a resurgence of a desire for people to be in person at in-person events because they can trust they know the person they want access to."
[10:59]
He underscores that while AI can facilitate communication, the emotional and relational depth provided by human connections remains irreplaceable.
Implementing AI in Business Messaging
[17:43 - 25:10]
Jay discusses the practical implementation of AI in business messaging, particularly through the use of custom GPTs and projects within ChatGPT. By creating customized GPTs tailored to specific clients or projects, businesses can ensure message consistency and adherence to proven frameworks like StoryBrand.
Jay Owen:
"Creating custom GPTs for your particular business is a complete game changer."
[19:47]
He illustrates how his agency leverages these tools to expedite the messaging development process, transforming what once took weeks into days, thereby enhancing efficiency and client outcomes.
Practical Advice for Businesses and Teams
[25:10 - 32:51]
Jay offers actionable advice for businesses looking to integrate AI into their operations:
-
Start with the Basics:
Begin by mastering fundamental AI tools before exploring more advanced applications.
Jay Owen:
"If you don't have a basic understanding, it's not going to matter when you get out on the course."
[29:17] -
Think of AI as a Partner:
View AI as an assistant that can enhance creativity and productivity rather than a replacement for human effort.
Jay Owen:
"Think of it as a partner who's here to help me refine and polish my ideas."
[29:17] -
Utilize Custom GPTs:
Create customized AI models for specific tasks to ensure consistency and quality in messaging.
Jay Owen:
"Custom GPTs are a complete game changer for organizing and maintaining message consistency."
[19:47] -
Leverage Available Resources:
Utilize resources like aiwithj.com for tools and guides to aid in AI integration.
Jay Owen:
"You can download that list at aiwithj.com."
[08:29]
Jay also emphasizes the importance of balancing AI use with genuine human interaction to maintain trust and emotional connections with clients and team members.
Conclusion
The episode wraps up with a reaffirmation of AI as a valuable tool that, when used thoughtfully, can significantly enhance business operations without diminishing the essential human elements that drive meaningful connections and trust.
Donald Miller:
"The big thing I'm taking away is just start. Yeah, start somewhere."
[32:37]
Listeners are encouraged to explore AI resources provided by Jay Owen and to begin integrating AI into their workflows as a partner in creativity and efficiency.
Resources Mentioned:
- Jay Owen’s Website: aiwithj.com
- Jay's Agency: businessbldrs.com
- AI Tool: Whisper Flow (searchable as "Whisper Flow AI dictation")
Notable Quotes:
-
Jay Owen [03:08]:
"One of the little hacks I've learned lately is to have ChatGPT be a little skeptical of the things that I say." -
Jay Owen [05:48]:
"Ask for the three most important questions and give them one at a time." -
Jay Owen [19:47]:
"Custom GPTs are a complete game changer for organizing and maintaining message consistency."
Final Thoughts
This episode provides a comprehensive look into the practical applications of AI in business, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a human touch in an increasingly digital landscape. Jay Owen offers valuable insights and tools that businesses can adopt to harness AI effectively while preserving the authenticity and trust that are paramount to successful communication and operations.