He went from the CIA, including a year in Afghanistan, to dropping out of business school and building companies. Now he’s on a mission to keep America the global leader in physical AI.

In this episode of CEOs Unscripted, host Jane Gentry sits down with Alexander Torrey, founder of AIC, to unpack “physical AI,” the trapped capacity hiding inside American factories, and why he refuses to bet against American industry.

Alex explains how AIC acquires and modernizes founder-led original component manufacturers — the “most important Legos in the Lego set” for robotics, autonomous systems, and advanced defense hardware.

This is a must-listen for any operator thinking about AI, manufacturing, prioritization, and building enduring value.

Key Topics Covered:

• What “physical AI” actually means — software that moves matter, not just data
• Why America’s factory capacity problem is about workflow, not workforce
• How trapped capacity and sub-50% utilization can hide inside the industrial base
• Why “what got you here is the constraint” that stops you from getting there
• How AIC protects engineering and quality while eliminating pockets of inefficiency
• Why AI is an enablement tool — empower your best people rather than simply cutting headcount
• The “dig sites” method for finding where software can drive the most operational lift
• Why prioritization and resource allocation separate great operators from the rest
• What it means to “sharpen the axe” and think through a decision before pulling the trigger
• Why Alex refuses to accept that China’s lead in manufacturing is inevitable

💬 A Few Lines That Stuck With Us:

• “Software used to move data. Now it can move matter.” — Alexander Torrey
• “It’s not about workforce, it’s about workflow.” — Alexander Torrey
• “If I had six hours to chop down a tree, I’d spend four hours sharpening my axe.” — Abraham Lincoln, quoted by Alex

📌 Episode Timestamps:

• 00:00 — Cold Open: An Upbringing That Encouraged Chasing Passions
• 01:12 — Welcome to CEOs Unscripted
• 02:06 — Meet Alexander Torrey: Teach a Person to Fish
• 03:47 — Straight Out of University to the CIA
• 04:53 — Can You Really Scale Critical-Thinking Education?
• 06:43 — Dropping Out of Business School to Build
• 07:59 — The Real Trait Behind Successful Founders: Continuous Learning
• 09:06 — From the CIA to Company Building
• 11:57 — Why 2026 Is the Most Incredible Time to Build
• 12:39 — Watershed Moments: Is This Bigger Than the Internet?
• 14:09 — What Physical AI Actually Is
• 15:04 — Software That Moves Matter, Not Just Data
• 16:00 — America’s Manufacturing Heritage & Where We Lost Our Way
• 19:16 — How AIC Works With Founder-Led Manufacturers
• 20:00 — Trapped Capacity: It’s Workflow, Not Workforce
• 21:43 — Legacy Software vs. AI-Enabled Decision-Making
• 22:56 — Why SaaS Providers Don’t Own the Consequence
• 24:17 — AI as an Enablement Tool, Not a Headcount Cut
• 25:16 — Keeping Up With the Demand of Physical AI
• 26:33 — The Sacred Cows: Helping CEOs Get Past Change
• 29:00 — Protecting the Good While Killing Inefficiency
• 30:13 — “Dig Sites” & a Competitive Platform for Algorithms
• 32:08 — Have You Ever Seen a Team Fail to Change?
• 33:17 — Willingness to Change vs. Ability to Change
• 36:39 — Enabling Teams to Do More Than Before
• 37:17 — Turning the Good Work Into Revenue: Incentives
• 38:01 — Comp for the Behavior You Want & Go-to-Market
• 41:05 — Why Prioritization Is the Skill Most Leaders Lack
• 44:43 — Sharpen the Axe: Think Before You Pull the Trigger
• 47:52 — The Big Aha: Why He’s Bullish on American Industry
• 50:43 — Supply Chain Sovereignty & Outmaneuvering Dependence
• 50:53 — Closing Thoughts

👤 About Alexander Torrey:

Alexander Torrey is the founder of AIC (America’s Innovation Corporation), a permanent holding company that acquires and modernizes founder-led original component manufacturers powering physical AI — robotics, autonomous systems, and advanced defense hardware. A former CIA officer and repeat software entrepreneur, Alex is focused on ensuring the U.S. remains a global leader in physical AI.

🎙️ About CEOs Unscripted:

CEOs Unscripted is a bi-weekly podcast for mid-market CEOs, featuring real conversations with leaders scaling $10M–$500M businesses. Hosted by Jane Gentry, the show cuts through the fluff and jargon to share honest lessons from CEOs, founders, and executives who’ve been where you are.