The Widening AI Value Gap
AI Knowhow
Only 5% of companies are getting real value from AI—so what are they doing differently? Courtney, David, and Mohan unpack the "AI value gap," spotlighting what it actually takes to move from spinning up pilots to driving measurable outcomes, while Pete Buer checks in on Michael Burry’s billion-dollar bet against the AI boom. P ete also sits down with Coframe CEO Josh Payne, who reveals how compounding intelligence and self-improving systems are quietly reshaping customer experiences—and what most companies miss when trying to replicate that success. Learn how to escape the hype, go deep...
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The Rise of the AI Operating Partner
AI Knowhow
Is it time to redefine the consulting playbook with AI as your new operating partner? From to the shifting role of human consultants, the team looks at how embedded intelligence is reshaping strategy execution and value creation in professional services. This week, Pete Buer breaks down why Cognizant’s enterprise-scale rollout of Claude AI to each of its 350,00 team members AND co-selling it is more than just a tech headline. It's a blueprint for AI as a transformational tool for how services are delivered. Pete and Courtney also dig into what Digg founder and VC investor Kevin...
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The AI Reset: When to Pause, When to Pivot, and When to Double Down
AI Knowhow
AI pilots were hot in 2024—but by 2025, nearly half are being scrapped before they ever hit production. So how do you know when your AI initiative is a breakthrough in waiting… and when it’s time to walk away? Courtney Baker returns with Knownwell’s David DeWolf and Mohan Rao to unpack the signals leaders should watch for. From the 426-AI-projects horror story to the psychological traps that sabotage momentum, they explore how to stay strategic in a sea of experiments. Mohan invokes Seth Godin’s The Dip to draw the line between temporary struggles and real structural limits—while...
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Build vs. Buy in the AI Era
AI Knowhow
The classic tech debate—build or buy—gets a high-stakes upgrade in the age of AI. Courtney Baker sits down with David DeWolf and Mohan Rao to unpack why two-thirds of vendor-led AI projects succeed while most in-house efforts fall short. Spoiler: it's not just about speed or cost—it's about compounding intelligence. You’ll learn why the real question isn’t “build or buy,” but “what problem are we solving?” Plus, insights from new MIT research, a $2.8T infrastructure forecast, and you'll hear how one of David's AI predictions seems to be coming true. Try Knownwell free...
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Building Organizations That Get Smarter With AI
AI Knowhow
What if your business could actually get smarter the more it uses AI? Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao unpack what it takes to build a true learning organization—one that compounds intelligence, adapts fast, and reshapes its structure around speed, not silos. Forget one-off AI wins. This is about systems that evolve. Pete Buer kicks things off with a sharp take on the decline of college degrees in an AI-first economy. If skills like adaptability and problem-solving are the new currency, how should leaders rethink hiring, training, and culture? Plus, a standout interview with Jason...
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The End of Best Practices: Why AI Demands a New Playbook
AI Knowhow
Best practices once drove growth. But in the AI era, they might be your biggest barrier to progress. Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao break down why rigid frameworks like Lean, Agile, and NPS are no match for real-time transformation. They explore how AI is rewriting the rules—and why success now depends on constant reinvention, not static playbooks. David steps into “AI in the Wild” to unpack a headline-grabbing statement from Walmart’s CEO: every job—2 million of them—is about to change because of AI. What does that mean for leaders everywhere? Later, Courtney sits...
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Commercial Intelligence in Action: A Deep Dive into the Knownwell Platform
AI Knowhow
What if the biggest threat to next year’s revenue isn’t churn—but the quiet erosion of loyalty you never saw coming? With 85% of professional services revenue riding on existing clients, old tools like NPS and gut instinct just won’t cut it anymore. In this special edition, we’re taking you inside the Knownwell platform itself—no roundtable, no guests—just a front-row seat to how real-time commercial intelligence is changing the game. Knownwell Chief Marketing Officer Courtney Baker and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao walk through the platform live, showing how...
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From Curiosity to Core Strategy: Looking Back on Two Years of AI in Business
AI Knowhow
We’re celebrating 100 episodes of AI Knowhow and asking: what have the last two years of AI actually taught us? Courtney, David, and Mohan rewind the tape to trace how far AI and executive thinking have come since episode 1 of the show all the way back in September 2023. What began as a curiosity is now a boardroom priority. But while the tech has sprinted ahead, the biggest barriers aren’t technical: they’re cultural, organizational, and deeply human. The team shares what’s surprised them (Wendy’s drive-thru, anyone?), what still hasn’t landed (where’s the breakout AI-native...
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Finding the Next Advantage When Everyone Has AI
AI Knowhow
AI is fast becoming a utility—accessible to everyone, everywhere. But if the tools are the same, where does competitive advantage come from? Courtney Baker, David DeWolf, and Mohan Rao explore the new sources of differentiation when AI is no longer scarce: proprietary data, clean pipelines, workflow integration, and a culture that learns faster than rivals. They even tackle whether generalists or specialists are better positioned to thrive in this new era. Pete Buer sits down with Kleio CEO Philippe Wellens to unpack why 95% of AI pilots fail, how to orchestrate AI agents with guardrails,...
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The Middle Management AI Crunch
AI Knowhow
Will AI replace middle managers, or will it make them more human than ever? In this episode, Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker, CEO David DeWolf, and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao unpack AI’s real impact on middle management. Is the leadership pipeline about to be disrupted? Or will we see a resurgence of mentorship, critical thinking, and apprenticeship models? Pete Buer continues his conversation with philosopher, author, and Forbes columnist Dr. Pia Lauritzen. They dive deep into the existential risks of AI and why existential, ethical, and epistemological questions must never...
info_outlineAnother CEO memo on AI is making waves - this time from Amazon’s Andy Jassy, who outlines the tech giant’s aggressive AI strategy and hints at workforce reductions. While some may see it as ominous, others view it as a rallying cry for change. The AI Knowhow team dives deep into what this latest corporate proclamation really means.
First, NordLight CEO Pete Buer and Knownwell CMO Courtney Baker unpack Jassy’s memo, especially its stark honesty about AI's impact on jobs—and what it means for your own upskilling strategy.
Then Courtney is joined by Knownwell’s CEO David DeWolf and Chief Product and Technology Officer Mohan Rao to unpack how leaders at all levels—not just the C-suite—can take initiative, align teams, and prove they’re a few steps ahead before the next memo lands. From strategic intent to narrative discipline and modular operating systems, they break down the practical moves that position you to lead with action, not just reaction.
Also, Pete Buer chats with Jeff McKay, founder of Prudent Pedal, to explore how AI is transforming organizational structures in professional services firms. They examine McKay’s “IC Triad” model and how marketing, sales, and delivery must evolve to remain competitive in the AI era.
Check out the Knownwell platform to see how your own company’s data can unlock next-level decision-making at www.knownwell.com.
Watch this episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/inqzp0KmoWg