Hosted by Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper

This week on The JDE Connection, we decided to do something both ambitious and slightly risky… we tried to describe the current AI landscape. And yes, we fully realize it might be outdated by the time you finish reading this. But that’s exactly why we recorded this episode.

After wrapping up our earlier conversations about how AI can support Business Analysts, we took a step back and asked a bigger question:

What’s actually happening in AI right now?

In this episode, we break it down at a high level — not to overwhelm you, but to give you clarity.

AI Is Already Embedded in Your Everyday Tools

We walk through:

• The major large language models everyone keeps referencing
• How AI is being embedded directly into the tools you already use every day
• Why research assistants like Notebook-style tools are more powerful than they first appear
• What “vibe coding” really means (and why developers are both excited and slightly nervous)
• And of course… AI agents — the next evolution that moves from answering questions to actually doing work

If you’ve ever wondered:

• “Am I behind?”
• “Should I be using the paid version?”
• “What’s the difference between a prompt and an agent?”
• “Is this hype… or is this real?”

We talk about it.

Building the Habit of Experimentation

Not from a theoretical standpoint, but from how we’re experimenting with it ourselves. From marathon planning to summarizing chaotic email threads to automating internal workflows, we share real examples of how these tools are showing up in our day-to-day work and lives. And maybe most importantly, we challenge all of us (including ourselves) to build the habit of trying. Try one new thing a day. Ask one new question. See if AI can help – even when you think your current method is “good enough.”

Because the pace of change isn’t slowing down. And somewhere between large language models, embedded copilots, research notebooks, and agents that open virtual machines to work on your behalf… we’re not just talking about chatbots anymore. We’re talking about a shift in how work gets done.

This Week’s Midwesternism

Oh, and in true fashion, we close things out with a Midwestern winter pastime that involves sliding heavy objects across ice while teammates aggressively sweep like their lives depend on it. Turns out, there’s more strategy involved than you’d think.

You’ll have to listen to get the full breakdown.

Until next time, let’s keep learning, sharing, and most importantly, laughing together.

Toodles!

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