AI has become a fundamental tool shaping how we work, connect, and even build relationships. Season one of the Get Discovered podcast, hosted by Prerender.io CEO Joe Walsh, digs into this evolving landscape, breaking down what AI is (and isn’t), and what it means for discoverability, SEO, and the way we live and work.
In this episode, Joe is joined by Anna Nadeina, Head of Growth at saas.group. She is also the host of the saas.unbound podcast, where she, coincidentally, recently interviewed our host Joe on the future of AI and SEO. With years of experience working with SaaS founders and building communities around growth and innovation, Anna brings a refreshingly candid perspective on the role AI plays today: its opportunities, its limits, and the irreplaceable value of human connection.
You can listen to the full episode through the link below, or read on to get a full written summary of their conversation.
How to Define Our Current Version of AI
Ask five people to define AI, and you’ll likely get six different answers. To kick things off, Joe brings up a message from a listener about how they use AI like a friend and work companion all rolled into one, asking for personal and professional advice on a wide variety of topics. For Anna (and most people), AI isn’t a friend or a companion; it’s more like an intern. Her definition of our current version of AI is:
“A tool that allows you to have an intern: somebody who understands what you’re doing and what you’re about to do. It has a context, can work within that context, and give you directions. But it’s definitely not an ultimate, know-it-all thing that you can a hundred percent rely on.”
(10.03)
This view echoes a recurring theme in the Get Discovered series: AI as a force multiplier, not a replacement. It’s there to accelerate brainstorming, streamline processes, and remove low-value friction points, but the human must remain firmly in the loop. Regardless of whether you’re looking at AI from a personal or professional perspective, it’s important not to trust it too much. Take your own expertise and insights into account, no matter how basic the query or task.
So, according to Anna, how can AI help you to grow and develop your business?
Ideate, Iterate, Explore… But Always Double-Check
As Anna said above, she doesn’t always trust AI to do the task at hand all on its own. It’s better to approach it more as an intern or new coworker. You give it all the information and context you need, but you should always double-check the work afterwards.
At work, AI eliminates “the staring into the abyss” moment before creating content for Anna. Often, she uses ChatGPT to compile research on SaaS founders before interviews, and tools like Descript and Riverside to streamline podcast editing and content repurposing. She also uses it for brainstorming content ideas and as a sounding board for new or out-there ideas, which might need a little iteration.
Experimentally, she’s also enjoyed exploring vibe coding with Lovable. Although a little cautious at first, she is now a big advocate for using it for prototypes or first-draft iterations of projects or platforms. But, once it’s gone past the prototype level of development, it still needs a lot of human engagement. To Anna, humans are still the better problem solvers, and it pays in the long run to keep an expert nearby, no matter the project.
This is where Joe shares some sage for all knowledge workers in the current landscape:
”I think a lot of people are concerned about replacement, so AI replacing us in our jobs and whatnot, and I think we’ve become a little bit lazy and complacent in our work. And that will become the truth, right? It’ll become a self-fulfilling prophecy. If we’re just using AI to do our actual work, then we are actually no longer needed.
But the real thing that any professional needs to do is understand how to collaborate with and leverage this as a tool that is a force multiplier for us, and remain that human in the loop, automating or removing some of the lower-value tasks.
A computer or AI by itself will not win either. It’s the human plus computer that is going to win the day.”
(19.42)
It’s not about you vs. AI, it’s about you and AI. Learn how to utilize it better than anyone else and you will have a long-term business model that ensures your demand and expertise.
But how much does this impact other industries, such as in-person events?
Will We Automate In-Person Events?
‘ The more we want to “AI” everything and automate everything, the more precious is an actual, real-life event.’
(22.15)
Despite her enthusiasm for experimenting with AI, Anna is adamant about one thing: technology cannot replace human connection.
At saas.group, Anna’s team runs global in-person events, where founders gather to learn, network, and explore acquisition opportunities. For Anna, the feedback is always the same: this is valuable.
Nothing can replace the veracity and feeling of an in-person meeting. If you’re looking to sell your brand, meeting prospective investors at live events is still the best way forward. If you’re looking to set up and grow your own business or improve your network, start looking for conferences and networking events in your area that you can join. The potential for growth and connection is far, far higher in those scenarios than in sending out daily LinkedIn posts to followers you’ve never met.
LinkedIn and AI-Generated Content “Slop”
Speaking further about LinkedIn, Joe and Anna both make the point that LinkedIn is a perfect example of how AI is quickly making everyone sound the exact same. More commonly known as “AI slop.” And as everyone puts effort and creativity into AI platforms and ignores personalization, the value of effort increases.
So in the age of AI, how can you stand out?
- Be cautiously optimistic about AI
- Take the time to personalize your content to be more unique: don’t just create what everyone else is.
- Seek out in-person events for a sincere human connection
A keen eye, a fundamental understanding of the limitations of AI, and the conviction to spend just a little more time sending a personalized, unique message will become vital skills for knowledge workers in the year to come, especially when it comes to partnerships and online visibility.
Curious to hear more from the Get Discovered podcast? Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, or wherever you get your podcasts.
About saas.group
saas.group acquires and scales B2B SaaS companies with a founder-friendly approach, helping businesses grow while supporting their teams and products long-term. As Head of Growth, Anna Nadeina leads global events, builds founder communities, and hosts the saas.unbound podcast, connecting SaaS leaders from around the world.
About Prerender.io
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