In this episode of Mind the Machine, Cheryl sits down with Dr. Andrea Yoder Clark of Accenture to explore how small and medium-sized businesses can harness the power of AI agents for real productivity gains—ethically. They break down what AI agents actually are, how they’re reshaping industries, and why now is the moment for companies of all sizes to lean into automation.

Dr. Yoder Clark unpacks the hype from the reality, shares must-know strategies for data safety and responsible AI, and explains why integrity, critical thinking, and creativity are the leadership skills of the AI era. Whether you’re a founder, executive, or just AI-curious, this conversation will give you uncommon insights into the future of ethical, human-centered innovation.

🔗 Learn more about Accenture: https://www.accenture.com

💼 Follow Andrea Yoder Clark on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andreayoderclark/

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Website: https://findgood.tech/

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Timestamps:

00:00 – Why small businesses should invest in AI agents

01:18 – What an AI agent actually is (and use cases)

03:06 – Why now is the right time for SMB automation

04:00 – Advice for young entrepreneurs in AI

06:00 – AI and efficiency: how to think about impact

08:57 – Key differences between small and large businesses using AI

11:42 – How to handle AI hype and build trust

14:05 – Tech for good: ethical must-haves for startups

17:40 – Andrea’s view on the future of AI: hopeful but cautious

21:27 – Confidential compute and why it matters

25:01 – Data protection, governance, and bias prevention

29:23 – Startups and the massive opportunity in ethical AI

32:18 – Andrea’s personal story of resilience and purpose

36:07 – What makes a great AI leader today

40:11 – Why we can’t yet grasp how AI will change everything

42:48 – Her advice for making a meaningful impact in the AI era

45:35 – Small language models and the power of personalized AI