Kevin Williams, founder and CEO of Ascend Labs AI, joins Jacob Andra, CEO of Talbot West, to discuss the reality of enterprise AI adoption. Despite the hype, most companies still aren't implementing AI effectively. Kevin breaks down the four pillars that drive real ROI: dev tools, product augmentation, workflow optimization, and strategic positioning against disruption.

Insights from this episode:

• Why 30-40% productivity gains in development are achievable with proper AI tool adoption
•  The "bug hunt" strategy that gets dev teams comfortable with AI-assisted coding 
• How vibe coding works for experienced developers (and why beginners struggle)
• Product augmentation strategies using unstructured data analysis 
• Workflow optimization opportunities hiding in every business process 
• The insurance auditor case study: focusing human attention where it matters
• Sales augmentation through AI-powered call analysis and coaching 
• Why cycle time reduction is a better ROI metric than headcount reduction 
• The existential threat facing marketing agencies, modeling agencies, and SEO-dependent businesses 
• Real risks vs. perceived risks in enterprise AI deployment 
• High-risk AI applications: healthcare, credit data, insurance, hiring 
• The BYOAI problem: 80% of employees under 30 using unauthorized AI tools 
• Compliance challenges with upcoming state regulations (Texas, Colorado) 
• How bias creeps into AI-powered hiring processes 
• The importance of organizational manifestos and guardrails for AI use

Kevin shares specific implementation examples:

• Commercial insurance policy auditing (automating signature verification)
• Customer service transcript analysis for actionable insights
• Automated credentialing for healthcare staffing
• Dynamic coaching for sales teams based on playbook adherence
• Meeting intelligence systems that capture institutional knowledge

Both Kevin and Jacob emphasize that AI literacy across the organization is essential. While technical teams need deep expertise, every employee benefits from understanding AI's capabilities and limitations. The conversation addresses the human element of AI adoption: getting beyond the early adopters to achieve organization-wide implementation.

Companies discussed include those in insurance, healthcare staffing, professional services, and manufacturing. Kevin explains how each industry faces unique opportunities and challenges in AI adoption.

About the guest: Kevin Williams brings direct-to-consumer brand experience combined with machine learning expertise. After exiting his previous companies, he pivoted entirely to generative AI implementation. Ascend Labs provides both AI literacy training and hands-on implementation services, working with companies from small businesses to organizations with tens of thousands of employees. Kevin also serves as a fractional Chief AI Officer and contributes to the Utah Office of AI Policy and Responsible AI Initiative.

About the host: Jacob Andra is the CEO of Talbot West and host of The Applied AI Podcast. He leads Talbot West implementing AI solutions across enterprise, government, and defense sectors. Jacob brings hands-on experience spanning the complete AI implementation lifecycle, from feasibility studies through production deployment. He writes and speaks extensively on practical AI adoption. Jacob focuses on bridging the gap between AI's theoretical potential and operational reality for organizations navigating digital transformation. His work emphasizes measurable ROI and sustainable adoption strategies that align with business objectives.