In Episode 90 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez speaks with Lucas Petty, founder and CEO of AI Daddy, about how companies can strategically integrate artificial intelligence in their business and marketing processes to drive growth, innovation, and long-term success. Lucas shares his personal journey from having his own startup disrupted by AI to becoming an AI strategist and educator helping businesses adopt these transformative tools. This conversation dives into why many organizations are still only dabbling with AI, and how fear, habit, and misconceptions often prevent meaningful adoption Lucas outlines a practical four-step framework for adoption—People, Process, Strategy, Tools—that enables teams to identify real pain points, build effective workflows, and achieve measurable ROI with human teams and AI working collaboratively together. Listeners will learn: • Why automating tasks without a people-first mindset leads to stagnation • How to reframe AI adoption as change management rather than tool exploration • The difference between horizontal AI tools (like chatbots, note takers, and researchers) and vertical, function-specific AI use cases • Why simplifying AI governance and training employees on privacy settings is critical to protecting IP • How successful AI adoption has helped companies realize revenue growth of 50% or more without additional staff Whether you’re leading a DTC brand, scaling a marketing team, or rethinking enterprise processes, this episode offers a roadmap to integrate AI thoughtfully, balance efficiency with human expertise, and future-proof your business in an era of rapid technological change.