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Insights and Expertise

As payments evolve, connect [https://aiinterconnect.com/] and host of the AI In-
terconnect podcast [https://www.youtube.com/@AI-InterCon-
so must our story nect]. In my recent guest appearance on the show, I shared
some of my experiences as a journalist covering AI topics
and writer using AI tools.

"I write about AI more than I use AI," I said, adding that
AI can help with snappy headlines and taglines but is not
the best resource for long form content. It's like talking to
a firehose that spews out massive streams of data and be-
gins a story at the end, eliminating the narrative arc. For
these reasons, I encourage clients to give me raw thoughts
and resist using AI, which creates extra work for me.

Extending engagement beyond the page

Today's savvy payments professionals are increasingly
By Dale S. Laszig using video platforms and podcasts as extensions of
DSL Direct their trade media partnerships.

Note: Dale S. Laszig published this article on her Substack page, https:// Appearing on podcasts or public forums offers
substack.com/@dsldirect, on Nov. 26, 2025. The Green Sheet is sharing it opportunities to expand on themes introduced
with permission. in articles, op-eds or research reports while also
effortlessly capturing tone and nuance. In this way,
s payments professionals gather for the holi- video content serves as a vibrant layer of engagement,
days, we reminisce about humble beginnings. reinforcing credibility and broadening reach. Trade
Origin stories of basement brands that scaled publications provide synthesis, editorial judgment
A into global enterprises never get old but some and long-term reference, roles that conversational
of our own brand stories and sales pitches are getting past media are not designed to replace.
their sell-by dates. Maybe it's time to think about our own
origins, as ISOs and merchant level salespeople (MLSs). This blended approach is increasingly visible across
fintech and payments. Thought leadership may
Thirty years ago, the job was simple: help merchants break debut in a written piece, then find new life through
free from legacy, paper-heavy systems. Today, it's differ- an interview, panel discussion or recorded address
ent. Payments play a small but critical role in secure, agile, that allows audiences to engage more directly with
intelligent enterprise systems. Savvy MLSs have pivoted the speaker. These formats also make industry
from pitching processing to helping merchants navigate conversations accessible to partners, prospects and
data, risk, automation, and customer experience. stakeholders who may not attend the original event.
Over time, the massive conversion from paper to electron- Dale S. Laszig's appearance on the AI Interconnect
ic transactions was complete and payment processing be- podcast offers an example of how expert commentary
came as commonplace as oil, gas, and water. During this can augment written work by providing additional
process, ISOs and MLSs evolved from an army of acquisi- perspective on AI, content creation and business
tion into an army of occupation. An occupying army's job strategy. The episode is available at https://www.
is to provide governance and strengthen infrastructure by youtube.com/watch?v=vlmyDleMFg4.
keeping merchants productive, profitable and safe from
potential attacks. And we're doing it well. Card brands are Similarly, recorded speeches can extend the reach of
constantly improving payment rails, tightening security, ideas with global relevance. Sam Sharma's address
and mitigating risk, helping MLSs keep merchants secure, to the UK's Universal Peace Federation, "Building
efficient, on point and on brand. the Future with AI First," is available at https://www.
Artisanal intelligence youtube.com/live/F5-MoEKiwTY.

AI is powerful if you know how to use it. As I've learned Used thoughtfully, these platforms serve as part of a
from experts, you can't just strap it on and expect to fly broader engagement ecosystem, allowing payments
past the competition. leaders to reach merchants and partners on their
own terms, mirroring the very flexibility they help
AI business growth strategist Laurent Cochet [www.linke- merchants offer consumers at the point of purchase.
din.com/in/laurentcochet/] is founder and CEO of AI Inter-
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