October 2026
TurboDebt® co-founder Josh Stomel recently spoke on a panel about data and AI in the debt relief industry during the Association for Consumer Debt Relief (ACDR) annual conference. Moderated by Debt.com president Don Silvestri, Stomel joined panelists and founders Adam Sthay of Loop Marketers and Martin Toha of Array.
Panelists answered questions on how AI has impacted the way consumers engage with debt relief organizations and how companies funnel potential clients to the right solution. Stomel discussed how building a personal experience based on data from AI learning models can improve the consumer journey.
Each founder agreed they’re trying to do the right thing for every consumer, with a balance of AI and human touchpoints throughout the process, determining the best fit for each customer.
Their focus was also on groups that fit below the average enrolled debt of around $26,000. Since most debt relief companies work with clients carrying $10,000 or more in unsecured debts, the panelists questioned how to better serve individuals who don’t meet that threshold.
Consumer intent plays a big role, according to Stomel, who explained that TurboDebt uses each consumer interaction to route clients to the right channel based on their needs. Toha noted how consumers can be sensitive when discussing their individual debt struggles, agreeing that AI can help ensure consumers find the right pathway to debt relief.
TurboDebt co-founder Bonnie Silver, also in attendance, added her insight during the Q & A portion of the panel. Silver suggested that educating consumers about their options is a priority, no matter what tools the industry uses. Panelists agreed, citing how debt relief organizations have recently focused on improving trust, authority, and transparency as a whole.
Participants at the conference enjoyed panels from industry leaders as well as exhibition spaces and networking events designed to connect debt relief professionals from across the country. ACDR’s annual conference lasted from Monday to Wednesday, September 28-30th, at the Four Seasons Resort, Orlando.