Why HR not CTOs Will Lead AI Augmentation - with Joshua Wöhle

In this episode, Joshua Wöhle, co-founder and CEO of Mindstone, joins us to explore how organizations—and individuals—can move beyond basic AI automation to truly augment their thinking and workflows. Joshua shares his personal systems for spotting high-leverage automation opportunities, including his weekly rituals that keep him ahead in the fast-evolving AI landscape.

We dive into how Joshua uses AI as a thinking partner, from critiquing sales emails to shaping company strategy—illustrating that AI isn't just about doing things faster, but about doing them better. He breaks down the concept of the utility threshold, explains why iteration is key to unlocking AI’s value, and reveals how non-technical teams can build bespoke internal tools without writing a single line of code.

The conversation also highlights why HR—not IT—is the real power player in driving AI adoption, and how the shift from traditional SaaS to custom-built solutions is reshaping the future of work. Plus, Joshua reflects on his entrepreneurial journey—from scaling a 200-person company to running a lean, AI-augmented team at Mindstone.

Whether you're curious about turning AI into your strategic ally, or wondering how to help your organization embrace AI beyond the buzzwords, this episode is packed with practical insights, mindset shifts, and a glimpse into what’s next in AI-powered productivity.

Key Takeaways:

• AI’s Real Value: Augmentation Over Automation — Joshua explains why the biggest win with AI isn’t cutting tasks—it's using AI to amplify your thinking. If you’re only automating, you’re missing out on AI as a creative and strategic partner.
• Crack the Code on the "Utility Threshold" — AI should save you time or improve outcomes. If it doesn’t, you haven’t hit the utility threshold yet. Joshua shares how to spot when AI becomes truly useful—and how small tweaks can unlock massive gains.
• Why You Should Build, Not Buy (No Coding Needed) — Forget pricey SaaS tools. Joshua reveals how anyone—yes, even non-tech teams—can quickly build custom AI solutions that fit their workflow, saving time, money, and boosting flexibility.
• HR: The Unexpected Hero of AI Adoption — It’s not your CTO driving AI success—it’s HR. Joshua makes the case for why empowering people, not just deploying tech, is key to creating AI-augmented teams that thrive in the future of work.

LinkedIn: Joshua Wöhle | LinkedIn
Mindstone: Mindstone - Empower Your Team with Practical AI Skills

00:00 Introduction to Joshua Wöhle and Mindstone
01:10 Personal Practices for Automation
02:35 Early Wins in AI Automation
11:23 Levels of AI Proficiency
14:59 Utility Threshold in AI
24:51 AI in Organizational Structures
33:21 Introduction to the Early Space and AI Integration
33:45 Joshua's Entrepreneurial Journey and AI Augmentation
34:37 Challenges and Breakthroughs with AI
35:32 The Evolution of Building with Generative AI
37:56 The Future of SaaS and Internal Development
40:34 Practical Examples of AI Implementation
50:14 The Importance of Iteration and High-Value Tasks
54:21 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

For more prompts, tips, and AI tools. Check out our website: https://www.beyondtheprompt.ai/ or follow Jeremy or Henrik on Linkedin:

Henrik: https://www.linkedin.com/in/werdelin
Jeremy: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremyutley

Show edited by Emma Cecilie Jensen.