Derek Crager
Founder & CEO of Practical AI | Creator of Pocket Mentor | Author of Human First AI
Derek Crager is the founder, CEO, and CTO of Practical AI. A late-diagnosed autistic and ADHD professional, he built Amazon’s highest-rated employee training program while on the reliability team. Derek created Pocket Mentor, a voice-powered AI mentor tool that delivers the right information at the right time. His core philosophy, Human First AI, centers on using AI to think *with* humans rather than replace them, keeping people empowered and businesses resilient.
He emphasizes practical, role-specific AI applications over hype, with a strong focus on workforce training, skilled trades, and supporting neurodivergent individuals.
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July 31, 2026
Human First AI Why Replacing Humans Is a Terrible Business Strategy with Derek Crager S3-EP5
In this episode of The Space Tomatoes Podcast, Havok and LX sit down with Derek Crager, founder and CEO of Practical AI, creator of Pocket Mentor, and author of Human First AI, for a refreshingly pragmatic conversation about AI that actually serves humans instead of trying to replace them. Derek makes a compelling case that the current AI will take all the jobs narrative is both overhyped and dangerously shortsighted. He argues that the real opportunity lies in using AI to think with humans, ...
Guest: Derek Crager