Artificial intelligence is changing the way we work, learn, communicate, and run businesses. New tools are appearing almost daily, companies are racing to implement them, and employees are wondering what their jobs might look like a few years from now.
With so much happening so quickly, it's understandable that people feel overwhelmed.
But what if we're approaching artificial intelligence the wrong way? What if the most important question isn't what AI can do, but what we actually want it to help us accomplish?
That's the conversation I recently had with Dr. Charlie Apigian, author of AI Reimagined: A Leader's Guide to Thinking Different with Data, on the Books4Guys Podcast.
Charlie has spent more than 25 years working in business strategy, data science, education, and artificial intelligence. Today, he leads the Data & AI Practice at LBMC and is the founder of Data Inspire, where he helps organizations develop practical strategies for using AI.
His message is one that I believe more people need to hear: Technology should help us become better at being human, not distract us from it.
Why Most Businesses Are Approaching AI Backwards
One of the biggest challenges organizations face today is deciding where to begin with artificial intelligence.
There's pressure to adopt new technology, competitors are experimenting with AI, and leadership teams don't want to fall behind. As a result, many companies begin implementing tools before fully understanding what problems they're trying to solve.
Charlie believes that's a mistake.
During our conversation, he explained that businesses should focus on people and processes before technology. If an organization already has an inefficient process, adding artificial intelligence doesn't automatically improve it. In some cases, it simply allows that inefficient process to operate faster.
Think about that for a moment.
How often do we adopt a new tool simply because it's available, rather than because we've identified something specific we want to improve?
Charlie encourages leaders to look at their organizations differently. Instead of asking how they can incorporate AI into existing operations, they should examine their goals, identify opportunities for improvement, and determine whether AI can help achieve those outcomes.
It's a simple change in perspective, but one that can make a significant difference.
AI Reimagined: A Practical Guide for Business Leaders
Charlie's book, AI Reimagined, was written for leaders and professionals who recognize the importance of artificial intelligence but aren't necessarily sure where to begin.
Rather than overwhelming readers with technical language, the book focuses on building a thoughtful strategy that connects technology with real business objectives.
A central part of the book is Charlie's VISTA Framework, a five-step approach to developing an effective AI strategy.
Vision: Define what you want to accomplish and establish measurable objectives.
Identification: Find opportunities where artificial intelligence can solve meaningful problems.
Strategy: Evaluate and prioritize AI initiatives based on organizational goals.
Technology: Select the appropriate technical solutions after identifying the problems worth solving.
Assessment: Continuously evaluate results and make improvements.
What I appreciate about this approach is that it doesn't require someone to become an AI expert overnight.
It gives leaders a framework for making better decisions while keeping their employees, customers, and overall mission at the center of the conversation.
And with technology changing as quickly as it is, having a clear strategy may be more valuable than trying to master every new tool.
Will Artificial Intelligence Replace Jobs?
We couldn't have a conversation about AI without discussing one of the biggest concerns people have today: job security.
The reality is that artificial intelligence is already changing how work gets done, and Charlie doesn't pretend that every job will remain unaffected.
He acknowledges that some positions will disappear as technology becomes capable of performing more tasks. At the same time, he believes AI will create new opportunities, responsibilities, and even entirely new professions.
During our conversation, Charlie described four ways AI can create value:
Efficiency: Completing existing work with fewer resources.
Productivity: Helping people accomplish more with the time and resources they already have.
Redesign: Rethinking how work gets done and creating new responsibilities.
Innovation: Developing entirely new industries, professions, and opportunities.
The challenge is that these changes won't necessarily happen at the same pace.
Some jobs may disappear before new opportunities become available. That uncertainty is understandably concerning, particularly for people who have spent years building careers around specific skills.
But Charlie also believes this creates an opportunity to reconsider what makes us valuable.
Instead of defining ourselves entirely by the tasks we perform, perhaps we should spend more time developing the skills that make us effective at working with other people.
Communication, curiosity, creativity, relationships, and sound judgment aren't things we should abandon as technology improves.
They're qualities worth strengthening.
What If AI Could Help Us Become More Human?
This was my favorite part of our conversation.
Charlie shared how he began developing a personal strategy for using artificial intelligence, not simply to become more productive at work, but to create a better life outside of it.
He wanted deeper personal connections, better experiences, and more time for the people and activities that mattered most.
That meant asking himself a different question whenever he considered using a new AI tool.
Would this actually help him accomplish something meaningful, or was he simply adding another piece of technology to his life?
He talked about wanting more time with his family, enjoying his dogs, traveling, and connecting with friends.
It was refreshing to hear someone who works with artificial intelligence every day talk so passionately about the importance of spending less time focused on technology.
We often measure productivity by how much we accomplish. How many emails did we answer? How many meetings did we attend? How many tasks did we finish?
But what if we measured success by the quality of the experiences we created?
If AI can help eliminate repetitive work, reduce unnecessary distractions, and allow us to focus more on meaningful relationships, that's an outcome worth pursuing.
The key, as Charlie explains, is being intentional.
You Don't Have to Master Every AI Tool
Another important lesson from our conversation was that it's okay not to know everything.
In fact, trying to keep up with every advancement in artificial intelligence may be an impossible task.
New platforms, models, and applications are constantly being introduced. Even people who work in the industry struggle to predict what the next year will bring.
Charlie's advice is to focus on what matters most to your organization or your personal goals.
Learn enough to understand the opportunities available, surround yourself with knowledgeable people, and remain open to changing your approach as technology evolves.
For business leaders, that might mean relying on employees or outside experts who understand specific technologies.
For individuals, it could mean identifying a few tools that genuinely make everyday life easier rather than constantly searching for the next big thing.
You don't have to become an expert in everything.
You do have to remain curious and willing to learn.
Why Charlie Apigian's Background Matters
Charlie's perspective comes from a career that has included several different industries and roles.
He began working in his family's automotive business before pursuing advanced degrees in business and manufacturing management.
He later spent approximately 25 years in higher education, including time at Middle Tennessee State University and Belmont University, where he developed a passion for helping people understand complicated subjects.
His career eventually expanded into data science, consulting, and artificial intelligence strategy.
Today, through his work with LBMC and Data Inspire, Charlie helps organizations move beyond the excitement surrounding AI and develop practical plans for putting it to work.
That combination of business experience, education, and technical knowledge is reflected throughout AI Reimagined.
Charlie isn't simply interested in what technology can accomplish. He's interested in how people can use it to make better decisions and create meaningful improvements.
Books, Curiosity, and the Importance of Lifelong Learning
As I do with every Books4Guys Podcast guest, I asked Charlie about books that have made an impact on his life.
He talked about his appreciation for biographies, particularly a biography of Walt Disney, and how reading about other people's experiences can teach us valuable lessons.
He also mentioned QBQ! The Question Behind the Question by John G. Miller, a book focused on personal accountability.
It was especially fun hearing him mention that recommendation because it's a book I had previously shared with him. Charlie enjoyed it enough that he purchased copies for his team.
That exchange reinforced something I believe strongly about reading.
You never know when a recommendation, conversation, or idea from a book might influence someone else's thinking.
And in a world where technology is advancing faster than ever, our willingness to keep learning may be one of the most important qualities we can develop.
Final Thoughts: Use AI to Improve Your Life, Not Just Your Productivity
Artificial intelligence isn't going away. It's going to continue changing businesses, industries, and the way we approach everyday responsibilities.
But we still have a choice in how we respond.
We can spend our time worrying about every new advancement and trying to keep pace with every emerging tool, or we can develop a more thoughtful approach to using technology.
Charlie's message throughout our conversation was that artificial intelligence should support the things we value most.
For businesses, that means better processes, stronger teams, and improved customer experiences.
For individuals, it might mean more time with family, deeper friendships, greater opportunities to learn, or simply fewer distractions throughout the day.
AI Reimagined offers a practical starting point for anyone who wants to understand how to approach artificial intelligence with greater confidence and purpose.
And perhaps the most important lesson is that we shouldn't allow technology to determine what success looks like for us.
We should decide what matters first, then figure out how technology can help us get there.
Discover AI Reimagined by Charlie Apigian
We're proud to feature Dr. Charlie Apigian and AI Reimagined: A Leader's Guide to Thinking Different with Data as part of the Books4Guys Featured Book Partner program.
Whether you're a business owner, executive, team leader, or someone simply trying to understand how artificial intelligence might influence your future, Charlie's book provides an accessible introduction to building a more intentional AI strategy.
Explore Charlie's book: https://www.datainspire.io/aireimagined
Learn more about Charlie and Data Inspire: https://www.datainspire.io/about
Discover more books and author conversations: https://books4guys.com/