Ep. 19 - Mubashir Cheema on AI, Augmentation, and Why Small Teams Have the Advantage

Ep. 19 - Mubashir Cheema on AI, Augmentation, and Why Small Teams Have the Advantage

AI is changing the way software gets built but according to Mubashir Cheema, CTO of Corellian Software, the real story is not replacement. It is augmentation. In this episode of On The Fringe, Anne Larson sits down with Cheema to talk about how AI tools are reshaping software development, why small teams may have the most to gain, and what it actually means to become an AI-first company. From GitHub Copilot and agentic AI to prompting, guardrails, product design, and the future of work, Cheema breaks down how developers are using AI to move faster, solve bigger problems, and focus less on repetitive work and more on creativity, judgment, and communication. The conversation also explores the difference between adding “AI sparkle” and building tools that genuinely help users, especially in complex software environments like EPR Live. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (01:39) Meet Mubashar Cheema and the small-team advantage (02:22) The AI tool that changed software development (07:00) From writing code by hand to working in plain English (13:18) Why prompting is a skill — and why AI takes practice (18:36) AI, jobs, and why humans still need to stay in the loop (25:28) Agentic AI, skills, and building better guardrails (36:19) The difference between useful AI and “AI sparkle” (01:01:00) What it really means to be an AI-first company (01:12:08) Where to start if you want to use AI at work Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com [onthefringe@corelliansoft.com]   Learn more at www.eprlive.com [http://www.eprlive.com/]

Ep. 18 - Voices from the Field: Live from IBEW 5th District Progress Meeting

Recorded live at the IBEW 5th District Progress Meeting in New Orleans, this episode captures the voices from business managers, presidents, and organizers across Mississippi and Louisiana locals. From life-changing career opportunities to retirement education challenges, these leaders share what matters most in their daily work serving IBEW members. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (00:07) Why these progress meetings shape real lives (02:40) How the IBEW changed a military veteran's life (04:26) Making sure job sites meet proper safety standards (05:47) Getting the lights back on when disaster strikes (07:03) Improving livelihoods one member at a time (07:47) Bringing non-union workers into the fold (09:20) The messy reality of traveling and reciprocity (11:29) What keeps this industry running on trust Links mentioned in the episode: IBEW 5th District Progress Meeting [https://ibew.org/our-districts/5th-district/] Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com [onthefringe@corelliansoft.com]   Learn more at www.eprlive.com [http://www.eprlive.com]

Ep. 17 - Union Healthcare, Mental Health & Benefits: Live from IBEW-NECA EBC 2026

Recorded at the 2026 IBEW-NECA Employee Benefits Conference, this episode weaves together insights from leaders across labor and management on healthcare, mental health, rising drug costs, and supporting today’s workforce. From apprenticeships to recovery programs, these rapid-fire perspectives reveal how benefits shape real lives. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (00:07) Why benefits must show up on time (00:55) Defusing conflict and normalising mental health (03:07) Do younger workers fully understand their benefits? (04:02) Healthcare costs and the 10-10-10 rule for perspective (05:23) Should healthcare be for profit? (06:07) The primary care gap no one talks about (07:54) Instant benefits verification for contractors (09:14) Tackling addiction and stigma in the trades (11:31) The fight for affordable prescriptions (11:56) Apprenticeships as a career launchpad Links mentioned in the episode: IBEW-NECA Employee Benefits Conference [https://ibew.org/benefits-conference-2026/] Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com [onthefringe@corelliansoft.com] Learn more at www.eprlive.com [http://www.eprlive.com]

Ep. 16 - AI, Data Centers, and the Electrical Workforce: Luke Kuhl on What Comes Next for Contractors and Unions

The electrical workforce is changing – and benefits, training, and leadership are being tested in real time. Luke Kuhl, Executive Chairman of the Twin Cities Chapter of NECA, shares frontline insights on how contractors are navigating AI-driven demand, data center expansion, wage pressure, and the growing need for specialized talent. The conversation also explores why strong leadership (not just new technology) will determine who thrives, and what these shifts mean for small contractors, union members, and the future of fringe benefits in the trades. Tune in to this episode as we explore:  (00:50) Luke Kuhl’s work at NECA (04:46) Rising costs and market consolidation (08:14) Future workforce needs in data centers (13:41) Contractor roles and union politics (17:12) Small contractors struggling to compete (22:59) The future of computing and energy (26:36) Challenges facing unionized electrical contractors (27:43) Uncertainty in a union electrician's career (32:50) Standardization challenges in the electrical code (36:18) The future of fault-managed power (38:08) AI’s ripple effect on innovation (43:24) Innovation among large contractors Links mentioned in the episode: Twin Cities NECA [https://www.tcneca.org/] Luke Kuhl’s LinkedIn [http://linkedin.com/in/lukemkuhl] Planet Money: What AI Data Centers Are Doing to Your Electric Bill https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649814/ai-data-center-electricity-bill [https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649814/ai-data-center-electricity-bill] Smart Talks w/ IBM: Creating Smarter Business with AI and Quantum https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/smart-talks/creating-smarter-business-with-ai-and-quantum?act2 [https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/smart-talks/creating-smarter-business-with-ai-and-quantum?act2] Luke Recommended Best Podcast for Understanding Data Centers: Step Change: Data Centers - The Hidden Backbone of Our Modern World https://www.stepchange.show/data-centers [https://www.stepchange.show/data-centers] Luke Recommended Best Company-Focused Discussion of AI and Data Centers: Acquired: Google - The AI Company https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/google-the-ai-company [https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/google-the-ai-company] Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com [onthefringe@corelliansoft.com]   Learn more at www.eprlive.com [http://www.eprlive.com]

Ep. 15 - Why It’s Time to Stop Sending Checks: Security, Cost and Change in Union Banking

Brandon Padget and Paul Ranisate from Union Bank & Trust – a unique, 100% labor-owned financial institution – unpack the often-overlooked risks and rising costs associated with issuing paper checks. They explain why now is the time for unions, contractors, and fund administrators to transition to secure electronic payments. You’ll hear first-hand accounts of check fraud, real-world examples of lost or delayed funds, and actionable guidance on how to modernize your payment workflows. Tune in to this episode as we explore:  (01:07) Labor-owned Union Bank & Trust overview (05:29) Challenges of check fraud (07:38) Check fraud and client procedures (10:05) Cost comparison: digital vs checks (15:42) Bank losses and Fed follow-up (18:43) Building trust through client education (20:43) Modernizing payment approval processes (24:58) Connect with your banker (28:14) The end of paper checks (30:08) Bank’s role: support and guidance Links mentioned in the episode: Union Bank & Trust [https://www.ubt.com/] Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com [onthefringe@corelliansoft.com]   Learn more at www.eprlive.com [http://www.eprlive.com]