Founder & CEO | AI Business Strategist
Andrew Lay
Andrew Lay is the founder and CEO of Hiero, a Michigan-based development studio that helps businesses use AI, automation, and custom software to improve how they operate. A business strategist specializing in AI, Andrew brings more than 20 years of experience building apps, digital products, and operational systems. His work focuses on the part of AI adoption most companies skip: identifying the right business problem, determining whether AI is actually the right solution, defining a defensible return, and putting the controls and feedback loops in place to protect that return after launch. Andrew is the author of the forthcoming book, Lessons from Bad AI Implementations and How to Guarantee ROI With AI, a practical field guide built from 34 verified failure cases and the Hiero implementation method. He also hosts the Hiero Exclusive podcast and speaks on AI strategy, entrepreneurship, and operational growth.
Posts by Andrew
The Sitemap Configuration That Doubles AI Bot Crawl Frequency
Most sitemaps are technically present and functionally useless. The difference between a site AI bots revisit weekly and one they abandon after a single pass comes down to a…
How to Know If You're Showing Up in AI Search Results
Ranking on Google and getting cited by ChatGPT, Perplexity or Google AI Overviews are two separate problems with two separate fixes. You can check your AI search visibility in…
How Do You Know When a Workflow Is Worth Automating?
Not every repetitive task deserves a bot. That sounds like something an AI consulting firm shouldn't say, but it's the first thing we tell people who come to us wanting to…
How to Automate Your Small Business in 5 Easy Steps
AI business automation isn't a months-long project or a major investment. For most small businesses, it's a few tools set up once. Here's how Michigan business owners are actually…
How AI and Voice Search Are Redefining Web Design in 2025
Discover how AI and voice search are transforming web design in 2025 and why Michigan businesses need to adapt now to stay competitive and visible online.
The Rise of the Smart Home: Developing Compatible Apps
The smart home revolution is well underway, transforming how we interact with our living spaces. From controlling lights with a voice command to automating home security, smart…
Integrating AI and Machine Learning for Smarter UX
In the world of digital innovation, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) are pivotal. These factors play a crucial role in transforming websites into more…
Developing for iOS vs. Android: A Detailed Comparison
As the mobile app market continues to expand, choosing between iOS and Android development becomes crucial for businesses aiming to maximize their reach and effectiveness. At…
Air Canada Learned the Hard Way: If Your Chatbot Promises It, You Owe It
In November 2022, a man named Jake Moffatt needed a last-minute flight from Vancouver to Toronto after his grandmother died. Before booking, he asked the chatbot on Air Canada’s…
App Development for Wearable Devices
Wearable devices have surged in popularity, becoming an integral part of our daily lives. From fitness trackers to smartwatches, these devices offer a unique blend of convenience…
How a Dealership Chatbot Got Talked Into Selling a $76,000 SUV for $1
In December 2023, a car dealership put a chatbot on its website to answer customer questions. It was powered by ChatGPT, which the dealership seemed to think was a feature. Within…
The Business Side of App Development
Every app's journey is unique. There are highs, lows, turns, and surprise elements. And while the technical side of creating an app is undoubtedly crucial, the business aspects…
Understanding the Importance of Good UX/UI in Mobile Apps
In a world dominated by mobile applications, a seamless user experience (UX) and an attractive user interface (UI) are vital for success. As a leading development company in…
The Impact of Blockchain Technology on App Development
If you've been keeping tabs on the latest tech trends, you'd know that blockchain isn't confined to cryptocurrencies anymore. From ensuring secure data storage to introducing…
What is Hybrid App Development and Why is It Trending?
In the world of app development, change is the only constant. But even amidst this flux, one trend is becoming increasingly clear - the future is hybrid.
How to Validate Your App Idea Before Development
Discover how to validate your app idea before diving into development. Learn about target audience identification, market research, prototyping, cost estimation, and risk…
The Implications of 5G on Mobile App Development
There’s no denying that 5G is reshaping the mobile app landscape, and the transformation has just begun. As an app developer or entrepreneur, you have a golden opportunity here…
App Development: How to Meet User Expectations
We believe in creating apps that are not just functional, but also engaging, intuitive, and delightful. We believe in turning your vision into a digital reality that users will…
AI-Generated Content and Its Implications for SEO
AI content is here, but Google still rewards strategy and human touch. Learn how to leverage AI without losing rankings.
6 Benefits of Developing a Mobile App for Your Business
Developing a mobile app for your business can provide numerous benefits, including better customer engagement, improved visibility, a competitive advantage, increased sales and…
The Limitations and Potential of ChatGPT: A Critical Review
ChatGPT is like a ninja in the world of chatbots, with its impressive skills in understanding natural language and generating responses that rival those of a human. Its training…
Why Mobile Apps Are Superior To Ecommerce Websites
In this digitally driven world, every business must use digital solutions to succeed. Particularly for small to medium-sized businesses, a responsive e-commerce website is one of…
Native vs. Hybrid Mobile Application: Which Is The Best Choice?
These days, smartphones are a necessity rather than a luxury. Through apps, they allow instant communication via emails and social networks, web browsing, entertainment, GPS and a…
Development with SaaS
Let’s face it. You don’t have time to be hampered with maintenance and all the other usual distractions. You need something that’s going to work for you while you take care of…