In our first episode of the New Year, Founder Frank G. Cannata and Chief Editor Mark Vruno discuss one of four BIG trends from The Cannata Report’s 2026 WatchList: AI. It seems as if nearly everyone in the business world was talking about artificial intelligence in 2025—except within the U.S. independent dealer channel! “I’m hearing, from dealers, very little about AI . . . ,” Cannata reports, which is unfortunate, he adds. Amid the warnings of ignore AI at your own peril, he does not understand the lack of enthusiasm among dealers and wonders if the subject of AI being discussed in a more limited environment.
In addition to OEM developments on the AI front, Vruno points out that numerous software partners (ECI and Square 9, for example) have rolled out AI-related products in the past few months. Not all dealers are in denial, of course. Document Solutions Inc. (DSI) in New Mexico is one that has embraced AI, Vruno notes, adding that establishing rules internally is essential to using the technology in a safe, secure manner. Frank’s hope is that more dealer peer groups will add the topic of AI to their 2026 conference agendas so that members can share best practices with each other. In mid-2025, The Cannata Report presented dedicated AI coverage to help dealers awaken to the tech trend.
