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Practical notes from Digital Meld on AI, automation, cloud, data, and operating systems that have to work in the real world.
Latest Articles
43 articles from Digital Meld.
Feb 27, 2026 | Brad Groux
The AI Operating Model: Governance, Brand Experience, and Execution for Business | Episode #0035 by Start Small, Think Big
In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, Brad Groux and Allen Martinez delve into the intricate relationship between AI, governance, and brand experience. They discuss the importance of coherence in AI systems, the necessity of establishing a solid governance framework, and the role of accountability...
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Feb 20, 2026 | Brad Groux
Vibe Coding vs Real Systems: The Truth About Shipping AI and AI Agents in Production | Episode #0034 by Start Small, Think Big
Building scalable digital systems doesn't require reinventing the wheel—it requires understanding what problem you're actually solving. In this episode, Brad Groux talks with Matt Dorman, co-founder of NDEVR, about the intersection of AI, automation, and business process optimization. They explore how mid-market...
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Jan 27, 2026 | Brad Groux
How a Non-Tech Entrepreneur Uses AI 100 Times a Day, with Randy Gage | Episode #0033 by Start Small, Think Big
In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, host Brad Groux welcomes Randy Gage, an entrepreneur and author with a unique perspective on the intersection of AI and personal growth. Randy shares his remarkable journey from a troubled youth, including time spent in jail, to becoming a successful coach and...
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Jan 23, 2026 | Brad Groux
AI Automation That Pays Off: Speed-to-Lead and Reactivation with Michael Elliott | Episode #0032 by Start Small, Think Big
In this episode, Brad Groux and Michael Elliott discuss the transformative power of AI and automation in business. Michael shares his personal journey from struggling with depression to becoming a successful entrepreneur managing multiple seven-figure businesses. They explore the importance of authenticity in...
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Dec 16, 2025 | Brad Groux
AI for the Mid-Market: How Small Wins, Private LLMs, and Automation Scale Businesses | Episode #0031 by Start Small, Think Big
In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, Brad and Robert from Digital Meld engage with John Ohlwiler from Sentry Technology Solutions to discuss the transformative potential of AI and automation for mid-market businesses. They explore the importance of structured processes, the challenges smaller...
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Dec 8, 2025 | Brad Groux
Engineering Intelligence: Safe AI, Smart Agents, & the Future of Collective Machines | Episode #0030 by Start Small, Think Big
In this episode, Brad and Robert engage with Craig A. Kaplan, a seasoned expert in AI, discussing the evolution of artificial intelligence from its inception to its current state and future implications. They explore the importance of human oversight, the concept of AGI and superintelligence, and the role of...
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Dec 2, 2025 | Brad Groux
Aggie Innovators: How Texas A&M Students Are Igniting the Future of AI and Business | Episode #0029 by Start Small, Think Big
In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, Brad Groux discusses the Aggie Innovators event at Texas A&M, which aims to foster innovation and collaboration among students interested in AI and entrepreneurship. The event features student ambassadors who share their projects and experiences, emphasizing the...
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Nov 24, 2025 | Brad Groux
Designing the Future – How AI is Reshaping Digital Experience with Lucas Blondheim | Episode #0028 by Start Small, Think Big
In this conversation, Lucas Blondheim discusses the limitations of AI tools in generating user interfaces, emphasizing the need for a human touch in the design process. He highlights that while AI can get a project 80% complete, the final 20% requires human creativity and refinement to avoid producing subpar work,...
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Nov 17, 2025 | Brad Groux
Scaling HR with AI – How Propulsion AI is Redefining People Ops with Scott Morris | Episode #0027 by Start Small, Think Big
In this episode of the Start Small Think Big podcast, Brad Groux and Scott Morris discuss the intersection of AI and human resources. Scott shares his extensive background in HR and how it led him to found Propulsion AI, a platform designed to democratize HR expertise through AI. They explore the importance of...
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Sep 15, 2025 | Brad Groux
Lighting the Path to your Agentic AI Journey with Hanah Darley | Episode #0026
Can AI agents make your business faster and safer? In this powerful episode of Start Small, Think Big , Brad Groux and Robert Groux sit down with Hanah-Marie Darley , Chief AI Officer at Geordie AI , to explore what it really means to use AI responsibly, and why governance, visibility, and trust must be the...
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Sep 9, 2025 | Brad Groux
The AI Advantage: How Small Businesses Can Compete Like the Big Guys
Recently, I had the opportunity to join the UnHacked Podcast with Justin Shelley , and Mario Zaki , diving deep into a topic at the core of what we do at Digital Meld: how AI is reshaping the playing field for small and mid-sized businesses. If you’ve ever wondered whether your business can truly “punch above its...
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Sep 8, 2025 | Brad Groux
From Prompt to Product: The AI-Powered Path to Startup Success with Jon Levesque | Episode #0025
What if your next big idea didn’t just stay an idea? In this empowering episode of Start Small, Think Big , Brad Groux and Robert Groux sit down with Jon Levesque , former Microsoft evangelist turned entrepreneur, to unpack how AI helped him turn a raw concept into a polished, user-ready app. The result? Seeq , a...
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Aug 29, 2025 | Brad Groux
Hollywood Disrupted : AI, Creativity & Ethics with Filmmaker Nico Casavecchia | Episode #0024
Can creatives embrace AI without losing the soul of storytelling? In Episode 0024 of Start Small, Think Big , host Brad Groux sits down with internationally acclaimed filmmaker and creative technologist Nico Casavecchia to explore this critical question. With a background in animation, design, VR, and branded...
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Aug 25, 2025 | Brad Groux
At the TX AI Challenge by Pro-Forma at DFW Startup Week | Episode #0023
What happens when hundreds of innovators, investors, and founders gather in one room with AI at the center of the conversation? You get an unfiltered, boots-on-the-ground look at where AI innovation is really happening, inside schools, startups, side hustles, and scrappy founder-led businesses. That’s what this...
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Aug 15, 2025 | Brad Groux
AI as a Culture Shift: Building Smarter Businesses and Communities with Leon Coe | Episode #0022
What does it mean to build an AI-first culture , not just in your business, but across an entire community? In this episode, Brad Groux and Robert Groux sit down with Leon Coe , founder of Houston AI Club and co-founder of AmplifyIntelligence.ai , to explore how artificial intelligence is moving beyond tools and...
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Aug 4, 2025 | Brad Groux
Your First AI Hire: Automation for Construction & Skilled Trades, with Grant Fuellenbach | Episode #0021
What if your next hire wasn’t a person, but an AI-powered toolkit that could free up your team’s time, eliminate repetitive admin, and make your business run smoother than ever? In this episode of Start Small, Think Big , Brad Groux sits down with Grant Fuellenbach , co-founder of GO First Consulting, to break down...
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Jul 25, 2025 | Brad Groux
AI Edge Advantage: How Smart SMBs Are Turning Speed, and Strategy into Competitive Gold, with Lucas Erb | Episode #0020
What happens when data-driven startups stop playing small and start thinking like billion-dollar enterprises? In this sharp and practical episode of Start Small, Think Big , Brad Groux , and Robert Groux sit down with Lucas Erb , founder of AIExperts.com , to unpack what it really means to scale a business with AI....
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Jul 23, 2025 | Brad Groux
Digital Meld’s Support of America’s AI Action Plan
At Digital Meld, we've always championed innovation, strategic foresight, and responsible technology adoption. America's AI Action Plan , recently released by the White House, embodies these same values, offering a comprehensive roadmap that we fully support. The plan, structured around accelerating AI innovation,...
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Jul 18, 2025 | Brad Groux
Imperfect Innovation: Why Courage Beats Perfection in AI Leadership – with Giorgio Natili | Episode #0019
Can imperfect leadership drive perfect innovation? In this inspiring episode of Start Small, Think Big , Brad Groux sits down with Giorgio Natili , VP of Engineering at OPAQUE Systems and author of the upcoming book, The Imperfect Life of an Engineering Manager , to explore how small businesses, engineering teams,...
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Jul 11, 2025 | Brad Groux
Built to Scale: How Small Businesses Can Use AI to Compete Like Giants, with Anthony Amunategui | Episode #0018
What if the next wave of innovation isn’t led by Fortune 500 companies, but by small businesses that dare to be bold? In this episode of Start Small, Think Big , we sit down with Anthony Amunategui , founder of CDO Group, Inc. and host of the Future Factory Podcast , to talk about how small businesses are outpacing...
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Jul 4, 2025 | Brad Groux
Don’t Start with ChatGPT: Sara Nay on Smarter AI for Small Business Marketing | Episode #0017
In this episode of Start Small, Think Big , Brad Groux sits down with Sara Nay , the powerhouse behind Duct Tape Marketing , to unpack how small businesses can use AI not just for quick wins, but for sustainable growth, smarter workflows, and long-term strategic advantage. The Strategic Shift: Anti-Agency and AI as...
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Jun 27, 2025 | Brad Groux
Lights, Camera, Algorithm: AI in Storytelling and Video Creation, with Erich Archer | Episode #0016
What happens when Emmy-winning storytelling collides with cutting-edge artificial intelligence? In this episode of Start Small, Think Big , Brad Groux sits down with Erich Archer , creative strategist, technologist, and creator of Smarty Pants AI , to explore how AI is transforming the art and business of video...
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Jun 25, 2025 | Brad Groux
The Bold Advantage: Empowering Builders in the Age of AI
I recently had the pleasure of joining the Future Factory podcast for a conversation that hit close to home, encouraging builders, creators, and entrepreneurs to stop waiting for permission and start leveraging the tools at their fingertips. Hosted by the sharp and insightful Anthony Amunategui , the episode dives...
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Jun 21, 2025 | Brad Groux
AI Is the New Space Race: Energy, Ethics, and Global Impact – from WAC Houston | Episode #0015
In Episode 0015 of Start Small, Think Big , we take a step back to look at the bigger picture of artificial intelligence, not just as a technological advancement, but as a global, economic, and societal force reshaping everything from boardrooms to classrooms to battlefields. This episode is based on Brad Groux ‘s...
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Jun 13, 2025 | Brad Groux
From Hype to Help: How Smart Teams Actually Use AI, with Raj Singh, VP of Mozilla | Episode #0014
In this episode, Brad Groux and Robert Groux are joined by product leader and AI strategist Raj Singh to unpack how teams and organizations can meaningfully adopt AI, without falling victim to hype cycles or decision paralysis. Raj shares his journey from successful startup exits to leading new product initiatives...
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Jun 6, 2025 | Brad Groux
Before the AI Wave: How to Prep Your People, Processes, and Data featuring Lisa Talbot | Episode #0013
If your organization is considering AI but your processes are a mess, your team is burned out, and your data lives in countless different spreadsheets, this episode is for you. In Episode 0013, Brad Groux sat down with Lisa Talbot , founder of True North PM Solutions and a veteran project leader across Fortune 500...
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May 31, 2025 | Brad Groux
Is AI Coming for Your Job? A Deep Dive into Automation Across Industries | Episode #0012
In Episode 0012 of Start Small, Think Big , host Brad Groux tackles a timely and sometimes nerve-wracking question: how will AI transform the future of work? From the rise of autonomous trucks and Waymo's driverless taxis to the fast-changing world of digital art and Hollywood, Brad unpacks how AI is reshaping...
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May 23, 2025 | Brad Groux
Ethics, Privacy, and Responsible AI: What Every Leader Needs to Know | Episode #0011
In this essential episode of Start Small, Think Big , Brad Groux , Carrie Hundley , and Robert Groux take a grounded, no-hype look at what it really means to build responsible AI in today’s business landscape. The trio unpacks the real-world risks behind AI buzzwords, starting with algorithmic bias, how it forms,...
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May 16, 2025 | Brad Groux
Artificial Intelligence Snake Oil: What AI Can and Can’t Do – Featuring Professor Arvind Narayanan | Episode #0010
In this episode, Brad Groux , Carrie Hundley , and Robert Groux break down Princeton Professor Arvind Narayanan ’s influential framework on how to separate genuine AI innovation from empty hype. From predictive models in hiring and criminal justice to the misuse of public large language models (LLMs) in so-called...
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May 14, 2025 | Brad Groux
From Mega Projects to Minecraft: Exploring AI Agents with Microsoft Reactor
I recently had the pleasure of joining Anthony Chen on Microsoft Reactor’s AI Agent Vlog to talk about one of my favorite topics, how AI agents are reshaping business operations and the workplace. It was a fun, fast-paced conversation that touched on everything from billion-dollar construction projects to my...
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May 9, 2025 | Brad Groux
Building Your AI Roadmap: From Vision to Execution | Episode #0009
In this episode, the team breaks down how to move beyond AI buzzwords and actually build a strategy that delivers. Brad Groux , Carrie (Eggleston) Hundley , and Robert Groux walk through a 5-step roadmap - rooted in Gartner and McKinsey research - that helps businesses go from “great idea” to measurable outcomes....
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May 2, 2025 | Brad Groux
AI Won’t Work Without People: The Culture Shift We Need | Episode #0008
In this episode of Start Small, Think Big , Brad Groux , Robert Groux , and Carrie (Eggleston) Hundley dig into the often-overlooked barrier to successful AI adoption: culture . Drawing from the 2025 Microsoft Work Trend Index, they explore what it really takes for businesses to embrace AI - from building trust and...
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Apr 26, 2025 | Brad Groux
AI and National Security: The Power Crisis featuring former Google CEO, Dr. Eric Schmidt | Episode #0007
In Episode 0007 of Start Small, Think Big , we explore a critical reality shaping the future of AI and national security: energy, infrastructure, and global leadership are now inseparable from technological progress. To lead the AI revolution, the U.S. must act urgently to modernize its energy grid, protect...
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Apr 18, 2025 | Brad Groux
Beyond IT: Making AI and Automation Everyone’s Business | Episode #0006
In Episode 0006 of Start Small, Think Big , we explore a growing truth in the world of business transformation: AI and automation can’t live in the IT silo anymore. They must become part of the broader business strategy - owned, understood, and leveraged by every team. Start Small, Think Big: Episode 0006 - Show...
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Apr 11, 2025 | Brad Groux
Automate to Innovate: Boost Efficiency and Data Quality Across Industries | Episode #0005
In today’s fast-moving tech landscape, automation isn't just a convenience - it's a competitive advantage. In this episode, we explore how automation plays a critical role in enhancing data quality, streamlining operations, and paving the way for successful AI adoption. Start Small, Think Big: Episode 0005 - Show...
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Apr 4, 2025 | Brad Groux
AI in Education with Texas A&M Mays Business School Assistant Dean of AI, Arnold Castro | Episode #0004
Welcome to this week's edition of Start Small, Think Big, your guide to practical AI, automation, and business growth insights. In Episode 0004, we're excited to be joined by Arnold Castro , the Assistant Dean of AI at Mays Business School - Texas A&M University . Arnold shares invaluable insights into Texas A&M...
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Mar 28, 2025 | Brad Groux
Practical AI Use Cases for Businesses | Episode #0003
Welcome to this week's edition of Start Small, Think Big , your guide to practical AI, automation, and business growth insights. New episodes are released every Friday across all major podcast platforms (direct links below), with video available on Spotify and YouTube — follow along to empower your AI journey! In...
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Mar 21, 2025 | Brad Groux
Mastering Your Data for Effective Automation and AI | Episode #0002
Welcome to this week's edition of Start Small, Think Big , your guide to practical AI, automation, and business growth insights. New episodes are released every Friday across all major podcast platforms (direct links below), with video available on Spotify and YouTube — follow along to empower your AI journey! In...
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Mar 14, 2025 | Brad Groux
Introducing Start Small, Think Big – A podcast and newsletter that guides you on your AI and Automation journey. | Episode #0001
Thank you for the tremendous support as we launch the " Start Small, Think Big " podcast! Your enthusiasm has been incredible, and we're excited to announce that our very first episode is now available. Each week we'll dive into practical ways businesses of all sizes can leverage AI, process improvement, and...
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Jan 14, 2025 | Brad Groux
Digital Meld Statement on the White House Executive Order on Advancing U.S. Leadership in Artificial Intelligence Infrastructure
While we appreciate President Biden’s and the White House’s commitment to strengthening America’s position in AI, we respectfully differ in our vision of how to best advance responsible, cutting-edge AI. Digital Meld commends NVIDIA’s longstanding leadership in artificial intelligence and high-performance computing...
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Nov 14, 2024 | Brad Groux
Introducing Digital Meld’s AI Agent: Your New Resource for Program Management Technology
At Digital Meld, we’re committed to helping construction and engineering firms enhance their program management processes through innovative technology. Our newly launched AI agent, now live on digitalmeld.io , is designed to assist you in exploring the capabilities that can drive your projects forward. What Our AI...
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Aug 18, 2024 | Brad Groux
Optimizing Program Management with QuickBooks Online and Microsoft Cloud Integration
In today’s fast-paced business environment, effective program management requires not only meticulous planning and execution but also seamless integration of financial management tools with collaboration platforms. As proud partners of Intuit QuickBooks, we have leveraged the powerful capabilities of QuickBooks...
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Aug 17, 2024 | Brad Groux
Digital Meld Joins the National Associate of Women in Construction (NAWIC)
We are excited to share that Digital Meld has officially joined the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and the NAWIC Houston chapter ! This significant milestone reflects our commitment to supporting diversity and inclusion within the construction industry, an industry where women's contributions...
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