The AI Playbook for Business Transformation with Olga Topchaya

“If you’re not doing anything with AI yet—trust me, your competitors are. Start small, solve one real problem, and build from there. But don’t sit this one out.” - Olga Topchaya

 

TL;DR

Rick Meekins talks with AI strategist Olga Topchaya about how companies are misusing AI—and what they should do instead. Learn how to identify real AI opportunities, avoid common mistakes, and build solutions that actually make your team more effective.

 

📝 Show Notes

When it comes to AI, too many business leaders are either running headfirst into the hype or sitting on the sidelines, waiting for someone else to make the first move. Both are losing strategies.

In this episode, I sat down with Olga Topchaya—founder of Lapis AI and a rare mix of strategic thinker and generative AI operator. She’s not a coder. She’s not a futurist. She’s a business pro who dove deep into AI, built a team of elite engineers, and is helping companies get real about how they use AI to solve real problems.

We talk about why most AI projects fail before they start, how to find your first real AI use case (hint: start small), and what it means to evolve your team alongside your tools. If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to “figure out” AI or are wondering whether now is the time to dive in, this one’s for you.

 

📌 Key Takeaways

• AI isn’t magic—and it’s not plug-and-play. Start with a business problem, not a shiny tool.
• Generative AI creates content—text, images, video, and audio—based on patterns, not understanding. It still needs a human brain in the loop.
• Don’t try to automate everything. Build in layers and solve one problem at a time.
• Prompt engineering isn’t just for developers. Your admin team can 10x their impact if they learn how to talk to AI tools effectively.
• Success isn’t about eliminating people—it’s about elevating them. AI is a multiplier, not a replacement.
• Competitive edge belongs to those who start now. If you’re waiting, your competitors aren’t.
• Guardrails matter. Security, privacy, and ethical use need to be baked into every AI solution you deploy.

 

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