Bob sits down with Giancarlo Erra, a creative tech entrepreneur with extensive experience in AI across numerous domains. They discuss the challenges small businesses face in adopting AI, the misconceptions surrounding the technology, and the importance of education and critical thinking in navigating the AI landscape. Giancarlo emphasizes the need for society to take responsibility for AI adoption and the importance of upskilling the workforce to adapt to the changing job market. Bob and Giancarlo also discuss the evolving landscape of AI and its implications for skills, education, and employment. They emphasize the importance of durable skills such as critical thinking and empathy, the need for responsible AI usage, and the potential of custom GPTs to empower users without technical backgrounds. Giancarlo shares additional insights on practical approaches to AI training, the role of AI in creative processes, and the necessity of ongoing education to navigate the challenges posed by AI technologies. Keywords AI, small business, education, critical thinking, technology adoption, media influence, workforce skills, upskilling, societal responsibility, AI risks, AI, durable skills, education, upskilling, custom GPTs, creative processes, responsible AI, technology integration, talent management, automation Takeaways Giancarlo Erra has been a creative tech entrepreneur for 25 years. Small businesses often struggle with AI adoption due to limited resources. Many businesses put technology first before understanding their actual needs. The media often creates confusion around AI advancements. Education is crucial for understanding and using AI effectively. Critical thinking is a vital skill in the age of AI. Society must take responsibility for how AI is used. Upskilling is essential for adapting to the future job market.  Durable skills like critical thinking and empathy are essential in the AI era. Over-reliance on AI outputs can lead to negative consequences. Education and upskilling are crucial for adapting to AI integration. AI should enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. Experimentation with AI tools is key to understanding their potential. AI can serve as a valuable brainstorming tool for generating ideas. Responsible AI usage requires sensitivity and fairness in implementation. The responsibility for educating others about AI lies with us. Sound Bites "You need to understand what you need." "AI is not a silver bullet." "We need more critical thinkers." "We will always need critical thinking and empathy." "Don't be overly reliant on AI outputs." "Education is key to understanding AI's impact." Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Giancarlo Erra and His Background 03:09 AI in Small Businesses: Patterns and Challenges 05:52 Understanding AI: Misconceptions and Media Influence 09:12 The Importance of Education and Critical Thinking 12:12 The Future of Work: Human Skills vs. AI 14:53 Societal Responsibility in AI Adoption 18:13 Navigating AI Risks and Regulations 20:58 The Role of Education in AI Literacy 23:58 Empowering the Workforce: Upskilling and Adaptation 30:50 The Importance of Durable Skills in the Age of AI 32:14 Navigating AI's Impact on Talent and Employment 34:53 Education and Upskilling for AI Integration 38:23 Practical Approaches to AI Training and Tools 41:52 Custom GPTs: Empowering Users Without Technical Skills 44:11 Exploring AI's Role in Creative Processes 59:56 Final Thoughts on Getting Started with AI Giancarlo Erra: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giancarloerra Promethean Box Ltd: https://prometheanbox.com Tweetify It: https://tweetify.it CopyForge AI: https://copyforge.ai Your Vault AI: (https://yourvault.ai) For advisory work and marketing inquiries: Bob Pulver: https://linkedin.com/in/bobpulver Elevate Your AIQ: https://elevateyouraiq.com