SMPS CT Program Recap: AI Without The Overwhelm
Posted by sbeals on Apr. 27, 2026 / Event Recap / Subscribe 0
SMPS CT Program Recap: AI Without The Overwhelm
April 2026
Speaker: Kristin Kaultz, JAM Idea Agency
Save the Marketer. Save the World!
The key message from Kristin’s program is AI + YOU = Super you! Artificial Intelligence will not be taking our jobs. However, it can help with everyday mundane tasks by making room for tasks that we enjoy.
If you've not already been using AI, don’t worry, you are not behind. Here’s the recommendation on where to start.
Start with the Why
Before jumping into AI tools, Kristin emphasized starting with the fundamentals:
- What do you do every day? List your tasks and processes.
- What do you love versus hate doing?
- What are your firm's strategic goals?
- What problems need solving?
The goal is simple: do more of what you love and get what you hate off your plate.
What Does Success Look Like?
AI implementation should deliver:
- Time savings
- Higher quality output
- More creativity
- Increased happiness and morale
- Faster education and information absorption
Studies show that staff who use AI are happier at work.
Four Types of AI Tools
1. AI Assistants – Think of this as something sitting next to you, waiting to be triggered. Kristin demonstrated building custom assistants like Data Analyst Pro, Proposal Helper, and Go/No-Go decision tools.
2. AI Automation – A series of tasks that run without human interaction once triggered. Example: Zapier workflows that scan emails for keywords and generate reports.
3. AI Apps – Start with a prompt and build a custom tool. Kristin showed how she built a tracker for AI tool spending and created dashboards to monitor business development leads.
4. AI Agents – The most advanced type. With your permission, these complete multi-step workflows. An example would be sending an agent to search public notices on specific websites. You remain the safety check.
Tools Worth Exploring
- Claude Cowork – Released January 2026, integrates with Excel and Word
- ChatGPT – Now includes voice mode and Sora integration
- Perplexity – Search agent alternative to Google
- Gamma – Presentation AI with brand voice capabilities
- Clipdrop – Easy image editing
- Google Gemini – Image manipulation tool
Key Warnings
AI hallucinates, but so do humans. Critical thinking is essential. AI also carries unintentional bias based on who coded it. With tools like Heygen AI and OmniHuman creating realistic video content, we can no longer trust everything we see or hear. Kristin recommended creating a safe word for your company.
Getting Started
- Think about your WHY
- Determine WHAT type of tool you need
- Decide WHERE to get it (enterprise, buy, or build)
- Get in the race and use it
- Invest in yourself
Final Thought
This is the least advanced AI will ever be. Technology is only getting better.
If you're ready to build custom AI solutions for your firm, or simply have a question on where to start, reach out to Kristin for a free consultation. Big thanks to Kristin for an incredibly practical and actionable session.
Ask her anything about AI in AEC >>
Kristin Kaultz, FSMPS, CPSM
JAM Idea Agency
https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristinkautz/
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