Frequently asked questions
What is the AI workshop for small business owners?
It's a live 3-hour online workshop run by Carl Taylor of Automation Agency. You install an AI Business Brain, a set of files that teach ChatGPT or Claude your customers, your offers and your voice, so the work it gives you is good enough to use. It costs $97 USD and runs on Zoom.
What is an AI Business Brain?
It's a folder of files on your own computer that holds what AI needs to know about your business: your brand voice, your ideal customer, your products and offers, and your brand style. Your AI reads it before it answers. You own the files, and they work with Claude or ChatGPT.
Is AI good enough to hand real work to?
Out of the box, usually not. Generic AI gives generic work because it knows nothing about your business. In a 2026 Bluevine survey, 78% of small business owners said they don't fully trust AI with even low-level tasks unsupervised. Once it has your customers, offers and voice to work from, the first draft gets close enough that you review it and send it. You still check it, the same way you'd check a new team member's work.
Can AI do the work I'd otherwise hire someone for?
Some of it, yes. First drafts of emails and content, inbox triage, follow-ups, briefings and research are all realistic. The workshop sets up the foundation and your first working assistant. Handing over whole roles takes longer, and that's what the 6 week AI Accelerator Sprint is for.
I've done other AI courses. How is this different?
Most AI training teaches you things and leaves the doing to you. This isn't a video to watch. You get files to install and I walk you through exactly what to do with them, live, answering your questions as we go. You finish the call with it working.
I've already set a few things up myself. Is this still for me?
Yes. People arrive with all sorts. A project, some saved prompts, sometimes a daily briefing that's already running. Keep what works. What's usually missing is the Brain underneath it and the structure that ties it together.
I've barely started with AI. Is this too advanced?
No. Most people who come tell me they're at Level 1. You answer questions about your own business and the files do the building.
Does the workshop work with ChatGPT, or only Claude?
Both. Claude is what we recommend and what Carl uses live, and ChatGPT works too. Claude (made by Anthropic) and ChatGPT (made by OpenAI) are the AI that runs your Brain. We don't resell either or charge a markup. You pay them directly, and your Brain comes with you if you switch.
Do I need any tech setup before the workshop?
Three things: a computer (desktop or laptop, not a phone or tablet), a paid Claude or ChatGPT account, and a willingness to type. Claude Max ($100/month) is the pick if you're going to use AI seriously in your business, with Claude Pro ($20/month) as the minimum. If you already pay for ChatGPT, you can use that. The free tiers won't get you through the build. We send you a setup link the moment you register.
I'm not technical. Will I keep up?
Yes. You answer questions about your own business and the toolkit does the building. If you get stuck, we sort it out live. At the last two workshops the person who rated themselves lowest on experience finished first.
Will this be another thing I have to maintain?
You build it once in the room. When your business changes, you update a file. The toolkit you keep does that with you.
What if I can't attend live?
Then watch the recording. You don't have to wait for it either. The recording of the last workshop is yours the moment you secure your ticket, so you can go right into it. You'll get more from being live, because you can ask me questions while you build.
What if I don't get value from the workshop?
Email us within 7 days, refund. No conditions, no negotiation. Your time matters more than $97 USD to us.
Is there a sales pitch?
The three hours are spent installing. At the end I show you the next step for people who want to hand over more of their business. That's the Lab, and it starts with a 6 week AI Accelerator Sprint. Take it or leave it. What you install in the workshop is yours and it keeps working.
Can I bring my operations person or assistant?
Yes. Add them to the registration. Same $97 USD covers one business owner plus one team member.
What if I'm in a non-services business?
The Brain works for most businesses. The program after the workshop is built for services businesses, so if you're product or e-commerce the workshop is still useful, but the next step might not be the right fit.
