# iSurge Media > iSurge Media is Dan Smedstad's parent publisher of practical, plain-English sites for business owners and the Katy, Texas community. iSurge Media is Dan Smedstad's publishing hub, based in Katy, Texas. It publishes plain-English business-and-AI articles for owners of small and mid-size firms, and it's the parent publisher of the sites below. Each article routes readers to the one site that goes deeper for their kind of firm. ## Articles - [All articles](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/): The iSurge hub. RSS: https://isurgemedia.com/articles/rss.xml - [What AI is actually doing inside small professional-services firms in 2026](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/how-small-firms-use-ai-2026/): Most professional-services firms now use AI for research, drafting and summaries. Here's what's working, what isn't and where people still matter. Topic: AI in the Workweek. Routes to GetToolRank (https://gettoolrank.com/). - [Why your business doesn't show up in ChatGPT answers yet](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/why-your-business-isnt-in-chatgpt-answers/): Most small businesses aren't doing anything yet to show up in AI answers. Here are the plain-English reasons and the fixes that actually matter. Topic: Getting Found. Routes to GetToolRank (https://gettoolrank.com/). - [Which business records may qualify for a license, and which usually don't](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/which-business-records-may-qualify/): A plain-English guide to company-owned records: which kinds may qualify for licensing, which usually don't, and what to check before you talk to anyone. Topic: Company-Owned Work & Records. Routes to BidMyData (https://bidmydata.com/). - [Should a CPA firm use AI on client work?](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/should-cpa-firms-use-ai-on-client-work/): Yes, with guardrails. How CPA firms are using AI on tax, close and advisory work, what the research shows and the confidentiality rules to respect. Topic: Professional Services. Routes to BalanceSheetData (https://balancesheetdata.com/). - [Where AI helps a small law firm, and where a lawyer still has to sign the work](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/ai-for-small-law-firms/): AI can speed up drafting, summaries and intake at a small law firm. Here is what the ABA says, what went wrong in Mata v. Avianca and how to stay safe. Topic: Professional Services. Routes to BlackGoldData (https://blackgolddata.com/). - [Project files, RFIs and field notes: an AEC owner's guide](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/aec-project-files-owners-guide/): What architecture, engineering and construction firms should know about who owns project files, how AI is being used on them and which may qualify. Topic: Company-Owned Work & Records. Routes to LicenseMyFiles (https://licensemyfiles.com/). - [AI for oil and gas office teams, without the science fiction](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/ai-for-oil-and-gas-office-teams/): Practical AI for land, contracts, accounting and regulatory teams at oil and gas companies, from a landman with 35+ years in the business. Topic: Professional Services. Routes to BlackGoldData (https://blackgolddata.com/). - [How to pick an AI tool for a small firm without getting lost](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/how-to-pick-an-ai-tool-for-a-small-firm/): A simple way to choose AI tools for a small firm: start with one job, check the data terms, test it on real work and skip the hype. Topic: Tools Without the Hype. Routes to GetToolRank (https://gettoolrank.com/). ## Article topics - [AI in the Workweek](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/ai-at-work/): How small and mid-size firms are putting AI into real work, with a person still responsible for what goes to the client. - [Professional Services](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/professional-services/): AI in law firms, CPA firms, AEC firms and oil and gas offices, industry by industry, in plain English. - [Getting Found](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/getting-found/): Plain-English help with showing up in Google and in AI answers, without the jargon. - [Company-Owned Work & Records](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/company-records/): What company-owned work product is, which records may qualify for licensing and which usually don't. Education first. - [Tools Without the Hype](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/tools/): Short, practical guidance on choosing AI tools for a small firm, with links to ranked shortlists. ## Publications - [GetToolRank](https://gettoolrank.com): Practical AI tools for small-business owners, ranked in plain English on a published rubric. - [AdvisorAIStack](https://advisoraistack.com): AI tools for CPAs, financial advisors and insurance agents, ranked with security and compliance in mind. - [KatyScoop](https://katyscoop.com): A local newsletter covering news, events and hidden gems in Katy, Texas. - KatyHomeServices: A local directory for finding home services in and around Katy, Texas. (Coming soon) - [BidMyData](https://bidmydata.com): Helps established business owners see whether everyday company-owned records, like emails, support tickets and CRM history, may qualify for licensing. - [LicenseMyFiles](https://licensemyfiles.com): Helps established architecture, engineering and construction firms see whether records they already own may qualify for licensing. - [BlackGoldData](https://blackgolddata.com): Helps oil and gas companies and law firms see whether records they already own may qualify for licensing. - [BalanceSheetData](https://balancesheetdata.com): Helps established accounting and CPA firms see whether records they already own may qualify for licensing. ## Founder - [About Dan Smedstad](https://isurgemedia.com/about/dan-smedstad/): Founder & Publisher of iSurge Media. Dan Smedstad has spent 35+ years as a petroleum landman, working leases and title across 12 states, from the Permian Basin and South Texas to Williston, North Dakota. He's been a hands-on student of all things AI since 2023 and calls himself an AI Nerd. He's the Founder & Publisher of iSurge Media and lives in Katy, Texas. ## Partners - [Dreams Business Agency](https://dreamsbusinessagency.com): Dan is a referral partner of Dreams Business Resources. - [Free Dreams Business Score](https://dreamsscores.com/?refid=AA5499): It's a no-cost business assessment from our partner Dreams Business Resources that takes about 15 minutes. It looks at six areas, debt and funding, retirement, expenses, assets, money and credits, and security, to highlight savings, tax credits and other opportunities your business may be overlooking. Partner link. iSurge Media may earn a referral fee if you use it, at no cost to you. ## Pages - [Home](https://isurgemedia.com/) - [Articles](https://isurgemedia.com/articles/) - [About Dan Smedstad](https://isurgemedia.com/about/dan-smedstad/) - [Contact](https://isurgemedia.com/contact/) - [Privacy policy](https://isurgemedia.com/privacy/)