You Don’t Have to Be a Programmer to Build AI Tools for Your Shop [RR 1115]

What if you could build your own AI tools to solve everyday problems in your auto repair shop without knowing how to write a single line of code?

Seth Thorson, owner of Euro Auto Service Experts and an industry educator, explores how shop owners can move beyond simply experimenting with AI and start building customized applications that improve their businesses.

Seth shares how his hands-on AI classes teach attendees to create working tools, from applications that retrieve vehicle information to virtual diagnostic assessments for evaluating potential employees. His approach starts with understanding the fundamentals of AI, then using that knowledge to build solutions tailored to the unique challenges of each shop.

But Seth's most compelling message isn't about technology replacing people. It's about using AI to give people more time to be human. Imagine giving your service advisors five additional hours each week to connect with customers, build trust, and strengthen relationships. By reducing repetitive administrative tasks, AI can create opportunities for meaningful human interaction rather than eliminate jobs.

What You'll Learn:

• How to identify everyday shop challenges that AI tools could help solve.
• How AI can streamline estimating, vehicle information retrieval, and employee skill assessments.
• How to navigate conversations with customers who arrive with AI-generated diagnoses.
• Why saving administrative time creates more opportunities for service advisors to connect with customers.
• How AI can enhance employee productivity and value rather than simply replace jobs.
• Why embracing AI requires curiosity, experimentation, and a willingness to learn.

The real opportunity with AI isn't just doing more work faster. It's building tools that solve your shop's unique problems while giving your people more time to do what technology cannot replace: connect, communicate, and build lasting relationships.

Seth Thorson, President, Euro Auto Service Experts, 5 locations, MN. Listen to Seth’s previous episodes HERE.

ASTA (Automotive Service & Tire Alliance):  https://astausa.org/2027-Expo

Thanks to our Partners, NAPA Auto Care and NAPA TRACS