The Hatch Podcast
At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast. Produced at Hatch Fairhope, it’s where bold ideas take flight.
The Founders Series dives into the journeys of startup founders building the future of business, technology, and innovation across the Gulf South.
The Music Accelerator combines professional music industry guidance with spiritual mentorship, creating a unique environment where artists can grow both creatively and personally. Hosted by music industry veteran Chris Estes, this series features conversations with artists and insiders who’ve spent years shaping the sounds and stories of modern music.
The Bioscience Innovation Series explores breakthroughs in healthcare, agriculture, and environmental science — with founders and researchers driving life-changing discoveries in labs across the region.
Around the Table features conversations with Alabama’s most forward-thinking companies and creators, from startups re-imagining industry to leaders building stronger communities.
And throughout the year, The Hatch Podcast Network introduces new limited series spotlighting the people and ideas transforming the Gulf Coast economy — one story at a time.
Find out more at hatchfairhope.com
Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com
The Hatch Podcast
Building Tech on the Gulf Coast: Kai Gray, Founder of Motive AI | Founders Series
What does it look like to build technology outside a traditional tech hub?
For Kai Gray, it starts with a simple belief: you don’t have to be in Silicon Valley to build something that matters.
In this episode of The Hatch Podcast: Founders Series, Kai shares his journey from major tech markets to Fairhope, Alabama, where he’s building both a company and a growing technology community.
As founder and CEO of Motive AI, Kai works directly with businesses to help them make practical, thoughtful use of artificial intelligence. Alongside that work, he also founded Lower Alabama AI, a nonprofit and meetup focused on bringing people together to learn, share, and build around emerging technology on the Gulf Coast.
This episode explores how place, timing, and intention intersect—and why meaningful innovation doesn’t need a major tech hub to take root.
💡In this episode:
- Why building something great doesn’t require a big-city tech hub
- How Fairhope became part of Kai’s story long before the move
- The origins and growth of Lower Alabama AI
- The difference between AI hype and practical adoption
- What it takes for a region to believe it can lead with technology
About the guest
Kai Gray is the founder and CEO of Motive AI, where he helps organizations implement artificial intelligence in practical, business-focused ways. He is also the founder of Lower Alabama AI, a nonprofit focused on education, conversation, and community around technology and AI on the Gulf Coast.
- Motive AI: https://motiveai.ai
- Lower Alabama AI: https://la-ai.io
About The Hatch Podcast
At the intersection of innovation, creativity, and community — The Hatch Podcast shares stories from founders, scientists, and artists shaping the future of Alabama’s Gulf Coast.
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🔗 Learn more: hatchfairhope.com
📩 Contact: team@hatchfairhope.com
Produced by Tim Scott for The Hatch Podcast Network.