In this eye-opening episode of Qore Conversations, Todd Smith, CEO of QoreAI, breaks down one of the most misunderstood topics in today’s automotive industry: the difference between simple AI “wrappers” and true intelligence systems built to transform dealership operations. With decades of experience in both retail automotive and advanced technology, Todd provides a clear, compelling look at what it really means to build a “brain” for your dealership—and why most stores are only beginning to understand what’s possible.

Todd begins by demystifying the surge of AI tools flooding the market, explaining why many products marketed as “AI” are really just surface-level responses wrapped around large language models. While these tools offer convenience, they don’t deliver the deep contextual intelligence dealers ultimately need. True AI infrastructure, Todd explains, integrates, cleans, organizes, and learns from a dealership’s entire data ecosystem—unlocking insights that improve performance, efficiency, and customer experience at scale.

He emphasizes why clean, organized data is not the finish line but the starting point for any dealership seeking meaningful AI-driven outcomes. Todd outlines how mapping workflows, identifying outdated or unnecessary processes, and committing to operational efficiency can position stores to 3X their net profit through smarter systems and continuous optimization.

From personal automation routines to dealership-wide AI adoption strategies, Todd offers a candid look into what it takes to design reliable, real-world AI workflows. He shares the challenges of building automations, the importance of reducing steps to increase stability, and the mindset shift required for leaders who want their teams to benefit from AI—not fear it.

Todd also shares how some forward-thinking dealers are already adopting AI across every role, empowering employees with the tools and training to collaborate with their own digital partner. The conversation closes with guidance for dealer principals and general managers: start with personal education, build an internal culture of experimentation and collaboration, and prepare your organization for a future where intelligence systems reshape the core of dealership operations.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone in automotive leadership—dealer principals, general managers, digital directors, and innovators looking to understand where real AI value lies and how to begin building long-term competitive advantage. Todd Smith delivers clarity, vision, and practical insight into what the next era of dealership intelligence will truly require.

For more information about QoreAI, visit our website: www.qoreai.com.

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Podcast Directed and Produced by Hired Guns Agency: https://www.hiredgunsagency.com