InnovateMap CEO Mike Reynolds on outcome-based pricing, AI tools and the tech race

Host Jayson Manship explores the growing gap between artificial intelligence usage and public trust on this episode of Authentic and Agentic. Manship breaks down a Pew Research study revealing that while chatbot usage is up, many young adults view the technology negatively. He also analyzes a New York Times report on the shrinking AI quality gap between the United States and China and highlights a new state initiative to prepare the Indiana workforce for an automated economy.

Mike Reynolds, CEO of the Indianapolis digital product agency InnovateMap, joins the podcast to discuss the evolving world of software design. Reynolds explains his firm's shift to an agile, outcome-based pricing model 13 years ago, moving away from traditional hourly billing. He breaks down the critical difference between engineering a product correctly and designing the right product for consumers.

The conversation delves into practical AI adoption in the workplace. Reynolds shares how InnovateMap fosters a culture of innovation through a weekly Monday morning AI show-and-tell session for employees rather than a top-down mandate. He warns business leaders against using automated tools to accelerate fundamentally flawed user experiences, emphasizing the need for strong brand foundations.

The episode wraps up with Reynolds sharing his thoughts on preserving human companionship, managing screen time and finding joy in hobbies like playing Magic the Gathering.