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PODCAST

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary

Welcome to Voice First AI — the show where small businesses, founders, and creators learn how to turn conversations into growth systems. Hosted by Michael Pierce, CTO of SmartOptimize, each episode blends AI innovation, real-world case studies, and mindful leadership to show how conversational AI unlocks freedom for business owners. Inside, you’ll discover how Ava Protocols and ChatGPT-powered teams can: Capture every call, lead, and opportunity without burnout. Automate communication while keeping

technology

All Episodes

4:06

AI Agents Are Quietly Replacing Middle Management

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2026/01/27

In this podcast, Michael Pierce discusses the potential of AI to take over routine coordination, planning, and oversight tasks in businesses. He suggests that AI can handle workflows, delegate tasks, track performance metrics, and even assist in decision-making, acting as a tireless and efficient assistant. He notes that AI's ability to automate repetitive tasks can free human employees to focus on more creative and strategic tasks. Furthermore, human manager roles are not becoming obsolete but

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6:54

The End of SEO as We Know It: How AI Chooses Who Gets...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2026/01/21

In this episode of Voice First AI, host Michael delves into the transformative world of Answer Engine Optimization (AEO) and the role of AI in search queries. Highlighting the evolution of traditional SEO, he explains how AI-driven search engines directly answer users' questions for a faster and more efficient information search practice. This shift necessitates businesses to optimize their content, making it high-quality, precise, and reliable for AI to easily choose and trust. Michael further

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4:59

GPT-5.2 Isn’t Just Smarter — It Changes Who’s in Control

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2026/01/13

In this episode of "Voice First AI," Michael Pierce discusses the significant advancements brought on by GPT-5.2, a game-changing update in AI that extends far beyond mere software upgrades. Rather than simply adding new features, GPT-5.2 hands over a set of master keys that unlock smarter reasoning, deeper memory, and more autonomous agents, giving AI the ability to learn from vast data and make independent decisions. This shift offers unprecedented opportunities for smaller companies, equipping

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16:21

SmartOptimize AI Adoption Roadmap

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/12/25

In this episode of the Voice First AI podcast, host Michael introduces listeners to SmartOptimize's unique six-phase approach to transforming businesses using AI automation. The podcast discusses how AI can capture and route calls, improving efficiency and ensuring no opportunities are missed. It underscores how AI can convert leads, dispatch responses, and follow-ups, leading to more efficient operations and increased revenue. The podcast also elucidates how AI increases customer retention and

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17:29

AI Is Stress-Testing America’s Power Grid — And...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/12/23

In this episode of Voice First AI, hosted by Michael Pierce, listeners explore the physical realities behind AI technology, including its massive energy consumption, the impact they have on global energy policies and the consequent real-life issues that large data centers present for communities. The conversation dives into the significant energy demand of AI hubs which process AI computations, compared with more gradual energy demands from other disruptive technologies like electric vehicles. The

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20:32

GPT-5.2 Drops Tuesday: What This Means for You, Your...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/12/09

In this episode of Voice First AI, host Michael Pierce discusses the latest advancement in artificial intelligence – GPT-5.2. The discussion centers around how this new version of AI will change the game by displaying improved reasoning, faster responses, long-context memory, better understanding of voice and images, and more autonomous behavior. While it is a promising development for small businesses, it will also have a significant impact on the search industry. Ethical considerations and

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18:00

How AI Adds $20 Million to Your Business: The Aiva...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/12/03

The podcast provides a compelling look at how artificial intelligence can significantly improve a franchise's valuation. The central focus was the integration of the Aiva Protocol Suite into a franchise's operations. By automating various elements like after-hours answering, reactivation of customers, lead qualification, follow-ups, online reputation management, and customer care services, businesses can boost their efficiency and reduce operational costs. With real-world examples, it shows how

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11:42

The 90-Day AI Transformation: A Strategic Plan for...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/11/19

In this episode of Voice First AI, the host Michael guides listeners through the critical role of AI in revolutionizing the pet grooming industry. Detailing the ongoing challenges in the industry, from unmanageable schedules to heightened client expectations, Michael underscores the necessity of embracing advanced AI solutions for modern businesses. He highlights the comprehensive benefits of integrating AI, such as 24/7 client capture, automated client education, uninterrupted productivity, and

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13:17

Understanding the After-Hours Challenge in Pet Care...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/11/19

In the Voice First AI podcast, hosted by Michael, the challenging issue of maintaining 24/7 availability in the modern pet care industry is discussed. The podcast delves into the importance of answering client calls instantly to build trust and stay competitive in the industry, while highlighting the substantial cost of unanswered calls to the business, the clients, and the operations. With these challenges in mind, the podcast introduces the listeners to the Ai Pet Care Command Center™, an

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19:28

Is AI Becoming Too Smart for Humans?

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/11/19

The podcast episode hosted by Michael Pierce on Voice First AI addresses the riveting topic of whether artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming too smart for humans. Michael shares his awe-inspiring personal experience with AI’s advanced capabilities in data analysis, hinting at how it's intelligence surpasses human's linear learning. The podcast further explores AI’s rapid learning curve evident in sectors like coding, legal reasoning, design, math and voice AI. While acknowledging AI’s exponential

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7:48

Case Study: How ‘Reliable Roofers’ Fixed Its Business...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/11/18

This episode of the Voice First AI podcast focuses on the journey of Reliable Roofers, a roofing company that faced a myriad of challenges as it grew. As the business scaled, they struggled with ineffective lead capture systems, poor sales processes, and a tarnished customer reputation. These issues threatened the business's bottom line and reputation. To resolve these issues, Reliable Roofers turned to Aiva's 90-Day AI Business Transformation program, designed to streamline business operations. The

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14:59

How Automating the Ordinary Makes Room for Human...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/11/18

In this episode of Voice First AI, Michael paints a fascinating picture of how artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are revolutionizing the food and beverage industry and beyond. He discusses the modern phenomenon of QR codes replacing traditional menus in cafes, coming up with the concept of these codes doing additional duties like personalized recommendations, direct ordering, and special deals. Michael goes on to elaborate on the potential of AI to create a fully interactive, dynamic,

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19:23

THE SMARTOPTIMIZE x AMARA COLLECTIVE BRANDING MANIFESTO

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/11/13

In this episode of Voice First AI, Michael delves deep into the mission, vision, and ethos of the company. Centered on the blend of automation with emotional intelligence, Voice First AI aims to provide meaningful, seamless experiences that free up valuable time and boost the enhancement of the human touch. Michael talks about their AI systems, which not only efficiently automate tasks but also show an understanding of human emotions. Besides this, Voice First AI focuses on providing fast

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18:33

Designing Your AI Workflow: How to Turn ChatGPT into...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/11/06

In the newest episode of "Voice First AI", host Michael Pierce delves into the key ways AI can streamline mundane tasks and facilitate business operations specifically, through the integration of OpenAI's ChatGPT. Outlining the concept and potential impact of AI workflows, Michael helps listeners understand the possibility of transforming monotonous tasks into automated system activities. From initiating the process of mapping daily tasks to building prompt systems and syncing business tools, the

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13:55

Rise of the AI Agent: How ChatGPT Is Evolving from...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/10/31

In this episode, Michael Pierce explored the shift from chatbots to autonomous AI agents' impact on small businesses. The discussed AI agents can perceive data, make reasoned decisions and act autonomously, unlike chatbots which only generate human-like text in response to prompts. These AI agents can handle customer service, inventory management, and other tasks. The advantages of integrating AI agents into businesses were highlighted, indicating a positive impact on productivity, customer

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10:31

Unlocking ChatGPT Alpha: The Next-Gen AI That Changes...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/10/27

The podcast discusses ChatGPT Alpha, an experimental version of the AI model line that comes with advanced capabilities, such as deep context memory and the ability to launch data-fetching tools. It suggests that deploying this innovative technology allows businesses to operate on a level of efficiency and scale that replaces many tasks once needing a human touch. It also highlights that adopting this technology ahead of your competitors could provide a significant market advantage. It then provides

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11:42

The AI Receptionist Revolution: How Smart Businesses...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/10/17

In this episode of the podcast Voice First AI, host Michael introduces Aiva, an AI receptionist designed to efficiently handle incoming calls and disruptions, thereby freeing up time and resources for business owners. Aiva utilizes the Aiva Answering Protocol powered by ChatGPT, an AI that understands the context of conversations and intelligently writes follow-ups. Several success stories illustrate the potential of this technology to eliminate missed opportunities, from scheduling appointments to

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13:37

ChatGPT for Business: The AI Upgrade Every Company Needs

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/10/11

In this episode of the Voice First AI podcast hosted by Michael Pierce, listeners learn about how ChatGPT -- an AI for automating mundane tasks – is revolutionizing business operations. Michael discusses real-world examples of ChatGPT’s impact, demonstrating how it can improve efficiency, provide consistency, and facilitate business scalability. Specific use cases include automating customer service functions, drafting emails, capturing leads, and developing marketing workflows. Michael also

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14:09

An Agentic AI System that Answers, Revives, and...

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/10/05

In this episode of Voice First AI, the host, Michael, takes listeners on a deep dive into Ava's 90-Day Business Transformation Plan. The plan, designed to automate and elevate businesses, is broken down into three phases: Stop the Bleeding, Multiply Sales, and Build Long-Term Trust. It aims to automate everyday tasks using agentic voice AI, reducing administrative costs, and improving efficiency. Through the use of AI protocols, Ava seeks to ensure no lead is missed, rekindle interest in old leads,

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13:35

Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the Extraordinary

Voice First AI: Automate the Ordinary, Pursue the... ·

2025/09/29

The episode of "Voice First AI" podcast covers the importance of automation in saving time and increasing productivity in businesses. The host discusses the potential of voice technology to automate routine administrative tasks, which can free up business owners to focus on growth and innovation. The host shares his personal story of using Ava Protocols, a voice technology tool, to manage client communications and schedule meetings, thereby reducing burnout and reclaiming time for creative thinking

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107 results

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