Leveraging AI to Increase Sales Conversions with Danielle Mills Walden of Upstart and Evan Driscoll of Audi Jacksonville

In this ASOTU CON 2025 episode, Nick Askew sits down with Danielle Mills Walden from Upstart and Evan Driscoll of Audi Jacksonville to explore how AI-powered financing is transforming dealership operations and expanding customer access. With real-world insights from both the provider and the practitioner, the conversation covers everything from instant approvals and improved profit centers to the ethical implications of AI-driven lending.

Danielle breaks down how Upstart’s technology leverages thousands of data points—beyond just credit scores—to approve more buyers, faster. Evan shares how the software helped his luxury dealership close deals that would have previously been lost, especially among first-time buyers and customers with thin credit files. Together, they make a compelling case for AI as not just a tech upgrade, but a competitive advantage and a tool for financial inclusion.

Learn more about Upstart at https://www.upstart.com/dealers/

Learn more about SpaceAuto at https://space.auto/

Timestamped Takeaways

0:00 Intro

0:59 What is Upstart and how it supports dealers

1:55 AI speeds up approvals and eliminates underwriter bottlenecks

3:13 Instant approvals improve customer experience and cash flow

4:16 How AI uses alternative data to approve more buyers

6:07 AI as a tool for inclusion—not discrimination

7:34 Overcoming resistance from dealership staff

9:38 Upstart picks up 5–6 extra deals monthly

10:35 When paychecks grow, minds open