3432: GoTo on Making AI Practical for Small and Mid Sized Businesses

Most conversations about AI are still caught up in the spectacle. We see demos, marvel at copilots, and argue about the latest big model. But what happens when you strip away the hype and focus on AI that simply works? That is exactly the perspective Olga Lagunova brings to this episode. As Chief Product and Technology Officer at GoTo, she has one goal in mind: make AI useful, practical, and almost invisible.

Olga believes the real test of AI is whether it integrates seamlessly into workflows. In her view, the most powerful AI is the kind that feels almost boring because it is just part of how work gets done. During our conversation she explains how GoTo is embedding AI into its platform so that small and midsize businesses can benefit without needing data scientists on staff or large budgets to experiment. We explore the difference between AI for SMBs and AI for enterprises, and why simplicity and trust matter more than shiny features.

Our discussion also goes deeper into agentic AI, where tools are no longer just assistants but are taking on tasks in the background. Olga highlights how GoTo balances this shift with guardrails, governance, and human-in-the-loop oversight to ensure that efficiency never comes at the cost of security. We also unpack the classic build versus buy dilemma, why shadow AI is becoming a real risk for companies, and how leaders can measure ROI in a way that proves value both immediately and over time.

If you are tired of the hype and want to understand how AI is quietly reshaping the backbone of business operations, this episode with Olga Lagunova will give you a grounded and forward-looking perspective.