Artificial intelligence is a workplace transformation hiding in plain sight. But while individuals are signing up for free ChatGPT and Gemini accounts and using them to streamline daily tasks, most organizations still haven’t figured out how to move from casual experimentation to full-scale integration.
That’s why I sat down with Fritz Brumder, co-founder of WiseOx, a company pioneering what they call “AI mascots.” Unlike legacy chatbots that followed rigid, pre-scripted paths, WiseOx’s AI mascots are designed to interact, reason, and even perform tasks — all with knowledge specific to your business. “We love to build tools and technology that help people create something net new,” Fritz explained, noting that he and his team have consistently gravitated toward emerging trends. “This time, AI was the clear next step.”
From Linear Bots to Context-Aware Assistants
When I asked Fritz to clarify what makes generative AI different from the old-school bots we’re used to seeing on websites, he broke it down simply. “Traditional chatbots followed a linear decision tree — if the user asks this, show that. There was no real understanding happening,” he said. In contrast, large language models (LLMs) with natural language processing can understand what’s being asked in real time and generate accurate, personalized responses based on context.
That context is where WiseOx sets itself apart. Their mascots are trained not just on general web data but on a company’s own documentation — help articles, SOPs, PDFs, HR guides, and more. “It’s like onboarding a new employee,” Fritz said. “You give them a week to read and absorb. Our AI does that in minutes and starts applying the information immediately.”
Not Just Smarter — More Capable
What surprised me most was that WiseOx isn’t just building smarter chatbots — they’re building task performers. Fritz explained, “Our mascots don’t just answer questions. They help complete workflows. They can take multiple steps, reason through complex processes, and create content that’s aligned with your company’s voice and policies.”
That’s no small feat. WiseOx has already implemented voice-based interactions, multilingual capabilities, and even background task execution — meaning your mascot can act on your behalf without a human prompt. “It’s less chatbot, more conversation. And the AIs can now perform tasks in the background once trained and integrated,” he said.
He compared it to having a team of AI coworkers. In fact, WiseOx — a seven-person company — is currently using four mascots internally. One handles sales prospects, another manages customer support, and the rest assist with internal tasks. “I was reading some of the replies the mascots gave to users, and I thought, ‘That’s better than what I would have said.’”
Addressing the Security Elephant
Security and privacy are understandably top concerns, especially in industries like HR or healthcare. Fritz didn’t shy away from the topic. “We store proprietary data in cloud environments similar to what companies already use for documentation. That data stays private and secure — separate from the large language model,” he explained. “When a user prompts the AI, 80% of the response comes from their own secure knowledge base. The other 20% is shaped by the LLM to format and deliver the message.”
And while the technology is impressive, the business model reinforces trust. “We’re a paid, B2B platform — not a free tool using your data for secondary purposes,” Fritz said. “When a client signs on, there’s a legal agreement in place outlining data usage, ownership, and storage. We’re not in the business of selling your data — we’re in the business of supporting your business.”
Implementation: Simple Tech, Complex Change
Despite the power of the platform, Fritz is quick to point out that the real challenge for most businesses isn’t the tech — it’s the change management. “You need a leader who believes in the vision,” he said. “Someone who says, ‘We’re going to experiment, we’re going to learn, and it’s okay if it’s not perfect at first.’”
WiseOx offers a structured rollout: initial setup with a core team, training and testing with a small group of users, then full deployment. “It takes about three to six weeks to go from zero to live,” Fritz said. “And once clients see how it works, they usually come back a month or two later wanting to build another mascot for a new use case.”
Skills That Will Matter Most
As we wrapped up, I asked Fritz the question many people are quietly wrestling with: How do we stay relevant as AI reshapes our work? His response was practical and reassuring. “AI is only as good as your ability to ask it to do what you want. That’s not so different from managing a human team,” he said. “If you have a good plan, clear instructions, and strong communication, AI becomes an accelerant.”
Rather than focus on fear, Fritz encourages professionals to double down on their creativity, vision, and strategic thinking. “Learn how to frame questions. Learn how to structure outputs. The better you get at defining the outcome, the more powerful the AI becomes as a partner.”
Looking Ahead
So what’s next? In the near term, Fritz predicts an explosion of task-based AI assistants capable of handling multi-step workflows. Longer term, he believes we’re just at the beginning of a decade-long transformation.
“While it feels like things are moving fast, don’t let that paralyze you,” he said. “Jump in, experiment, and start learning. You have time, but the earlier you start, the more value you’ll unlock.”
If there’s one takeaway from our conversation, it’s that this is no longer about tools for techies. With platforms like WiseOx, the power of AI is now accessible to any business — and the only barrier left is the willingness to embrace change.
Brandon Laws is a workplace culture and leadership enthusiast, host of the Transform Your Workplace podcast, and VP of Marketing and Product at Xenium HR.