SkyNet Chronicles: Business in the AI Age

What do Banksy, the Vatican, David Hockney, Jesse Jackson and AI all have in common?In this episode of The Skynet Chronicles, Tim Davies is joined by art dealer and gallery owner John Brandler for a wide-ranging conversation about art, business, relationships, opportunity and what really creates value.John shares stories from a remarkable career that began when, at just 17, he started buying historic furniture from places including St Paul’s Cathedral and Westminster Abbey — before eventually acquiring pieces from the Vatican and building a career in the art world.The conversation explores everything from buying and moving Banksy walls to spotting artistic talent, building an extraordinary network, and why John believes that in business, “it’s not what you know, it’s who you know” — but only if those relationships work both ways.We discuss:How John accidentally found his way into the art worldBuying furniture from cathedrals, Buckingham Palace and the VaticanWhat makes a genuinely great artistWhy the artwork itself should be the artist’s signatureThe extraordinary logistics of buying and moving a Banksy wallWhy Banksy has become such a powerful global brandThe difference between buying art for pleasure and buying purely as an investmentWhy popular artists are often overlooked by the traditional art establishmentThe importance of relationships, generosity and “joining the dots”Whether AI will damage art — or simply become another creative toolWhy having access to technology doesn’t automatically make someone talentedWhat photographers, artists and other creatives can learn from the rise of AIWhy John believes people will continue to value owning something genuinely uniqueJohn also explains why he thinks AI will undoubtedly change the art world, but compares it to photography: just because everyone has access to a camera doesn’t make everyone a professional photographer. In the same way, having AI gives people the ability to create — but not necessarily the judgement, taste or skill to create something exceptional.This is less a traditional interview and more a collection of incredible stories spanning more than five decades of art, entrepreneurship and human relationships — with plenty of lessons for anyone building a business in the AI age._________________________________________________________________The Skynet Chronicles Podcast is brought to you by Project Rising — AI Consultancy & Custom Implementation, based in Peterborough, UK | Hosted by Tim Davies.https://projektrising.ai#podcast #AI #ArtificialIntelligence #Banksy #Art #Business #Entrepreneurship #AIpodcast #FutureOfArt #BusinessStories #StreetArt

In this episode of the Skynet Chronicles, host Tim Davies surveys the breakneck progress of generative media. From Sora 2’s lifelike video cameos and the blurring of watermarks to AI-driven music with Suno and synthetic voices via ElevenLabs. Tim maps the shifting jobs landscape, highlighting the durability of human, experience-led roles while advocating smart augmentation and clear strategy over busywork. Tim also hints to watch out for the AI Toolkit that connects to your data to handle everyday jobs. Wrapping up with a 2026 challenge: set some ground rules, plan how you’ll roll this out, track the results, then make it enjoyable, part of the day-to-day, and actually useful._________________________________________________________________The Skynet Chronicles Podcast is brought to you by Project Rising (AI Consultancy & custom implementation, based in Peterborough UK) | Hosted by Tim Davies. https://projektrising.ai#podcast #AI #AIpodcast #artificialintelligence

In this engaging episode of the Skynet Chronicles, we chat with Garry Crosby about the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and coaching. Gary, an influential figure in the business world, offers insights into how AI can reshape our interactions with technology and personal development.We explore the role of accountability in coaching and whether AI can effectively push individuals to meet their goals compared to traditional human coaching. Gary emphasises the importance of retaining the uniquely human aspects of coaching; such as trust, empathy, and insight, while integrating AI for knowledge and support._________________________________________________________________The Skynet Chronicles Podcast is brought to you by Project Rising (AI Consultancy & custom implementation, based in Peterborough UK) | Hosted by Tim Davies. https://projektrising.ai#podcast #AI #AIpodcast #artificialintelligence

In this episode of the Skynet Chronicles, we welcome Simon Hinks, a seasoned privacy practitioner, who shares his insights on navigating the complexities of data protection regulations, particularly the GDPR. Simon reflects on his journey into privacy advocacy and how he has assisted numerous businesses in achieving compliance, especially as legislation evolves in light of recent changes.We delve into crucial topics, such as the importance of privacy notices, common pitfalls organisations face regarding data management, and the ongoing risk of social engineering in today's digital world. Simon emphasises the necessity for companies to be proactive about their data practices and to understand the legal implications of non-compliance._________________________________________________________________The Skynet Chronicles Podcast is brought to you by Project Rising (AI Consultancy & custom implementation, based in Peterborough UK) | Hosted by Tim Davies. https://projektrising.ai#podcast #AI #AIpodcast #artificialintelligence

In this episode of the Skynet Chronicles, we discuss the transformative impact of artificial intelligence on small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) with our guest, Adam, the founder of Active Internet Marketing, a multi-channel digital marketing agency focused on helping independent businesses. Adam highlights the importance of AI in streamlining operations and reducing costs, allowing SMEs to automate mundane tasks such as debt follow-ups and calendar management.We explore how the evolving landscape of digital marketing, particularly with the incorporation of AI technologies, is set to redefine outreach and customer engagement strategies. Adam shares insights on leveraging AI for proactive communication, targeting potential clients, and creating a seamless booking experience for service providers._________________________________________________________________The Skynet Chronicles Podcast is brought to you by Project Rising (AI Consultancy & custom implementation, based in Peterborough UK) | Hosted by Tim Davies. https://projektrising.ai#podcast #AI #AIpodcast #artificialintelligence

In this episode of the Skynet Chronicles, we delve into the transformative impact of AI on the surveying industry with our guest, Neil Aylin, an innovative building surveyor at NA Building Surveys. Neil discusses the evolution of his surveying process, emphasising how the integration of AI tools like ChatGPT has significantly streamlined his workflows. He shares insights into the traditional methods he employed, and highlights the challenges posed by outdated software that requires extensive editing.We explore Neil's vision of a future where completed surveys can be drafted or even finalised while still on site, potentially freeing him to balance his workload with more personal time. This conversation provides valuable perspectives on how modern technology can drastically improve efficiency in industries traditionally resistant to change._________________________________________________________________The Skynet Chronicles Podcast is brought to you by Project Rising (AI Consultancy & custom implementation, based in Peterborough UK) | Hosted by Tim Davies. https://projektrising.ai #podcast #AI #AIpodcast #artificialintelligence