What is AI—and what it isn’t? Sheridan Wendt and Jon Foster break down automation, machine learning, and generative AI, showing how AI is already shaping business, discovery, decision-making, and everyday life.

This episode covers:
• Defining AI: What It Is & Isn’t
• Three Types of AI: Automation, ML, Generative
• How Machine Learning Works: Netflix Example
• Generative AI in Real-World Use
• AI Predicts, Not Thinks: Misconceptions
• Why AI Feels Risky
• AI in Everyday Tools: Spotify, Gmail, ChatGPT
• What AI Can’t Do: Common Misconceptions
• Understanding AI Hallucinations
• Why Data Quality Matters
• Viral AI Fears Explained
• AI Regulations & Risk Management
• The Business Value of AI
• Humans + AI: Future Collaboration
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About the Show

Answer Engines: How Brands Build the AI Advantage is a podcast by Advantage Labs exploring how brands earn visibility, trust, and recommendations in the age of AI-driven search. Through conversations with business leaders, founders, and technologists, the show examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping discovery, authority, and decision-making across systems like ChatGPT, Google’s AI-powered search experiences, and other emerging answer engines.

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Host:
Sheridan Wendt
Visionary technology leader with 15+ years of experience driving transformative change, delivering $4B+ in global infrastructure projects, and leading AI implementations that improve efficiency and revenue across Fortune 500 organizations.

Guest:

Jonathan Foster
Cyber Security Engineer & Analyst with extensive experience in network systems and electronics. Jonathan has worked with KBR, Inc., VT Group, Serco, and the US Navy, specializing in system installations, technical support, and military-grade network security. His background includes managing shipboard systems, ensuring compliance with strict security standards, and training personnel on system maintenance and troubleshooting.

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Chapters
00:00 - Intro & welcome: hosts, Jon Foster, series overview
00:25 - Meet Jon Foster and the AI for Beginners series
00:59 - What does AI actually mean?
01:20 - Three AI types: automation, ML, generative
03:01 - Machine learning explained with Netflix example
03:40 - Generative AI explained with real uses
04:10 - AI in social media and personalization
07:03 - How AI predicts patterns and doesn't think
08:11 - AI concerns: fear, risk, jobs, security
08:43 - AI examples in everyday life
09:45 - More everyday examples of AI
10:29 - What AI can't do: myths debunked
11:18 - AI hallucinations explained
12:46 - Data quality matters for AI
14:48 - AI myths & viral fears explained
17:30 - AI regulation and risk prevention
18:10 - Why AI matters today
19:02 - Do you need coding to use AI?
20:33 - Humans and AI working together
21:15 - Recap, final thoughts, what's next
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