Even when new technology emerges, it comes with an element of fear for those who have never used it.
As we grow older, we become more resistant to change. So when new technology comes along, younger generations will probably find it easier to adapt, while more senior executives can be a little confused about where to start. But once inside, the fear factor disappears.
I’m more worried about companies operating without AI than I am about companies with AI in place. Every generation has technology to fear. And this happens to be more convenient.
AI will not replace business founders and managers. It’s just the fact that it can replace some of the work we didn’t want to do in the first place. No one starts a business because they love writing emails, doing research, and formatting materials. AI just removes all of that friction.
For example, traditional businesses that require physical skills have less exposure than knowledge-based industries and need to make sure they take advantage of AI.
AI is moving towards the idea of increasing efficiency, and I’m already seeing it, at least in my area. In marketing, two-thirds of companies are using AI. Two-thirds of small businesses are already using AI. Over the next 12 to 24 months, you will either be part of the next generation of more advanced businesses, or you will be left behind.
This is the most exciting thing that’s happened since I started in the early 2000s and explaining to people why they needed a website. People should jump into AI not just because it sounds sexy, but because it can aid their workflow, help them do more of what they want to do, spend their time the right way, and enjoy their work more.
It is up to humans to decide where and how to use AI. And I think that’s where people need some guidance. Companies that don’t implement AI will quickly be left behind. This is because customer expectations will allow things to be done faster and more efficiently than before, and certain industries will need to adapt more than others.
Essentially, it’s about getting more work done in less time. That is, where are the problems in my business? Where are the bottlenecks? Where are the workflow inefficiencies?
For example, traditional businesses that require physical skills have less exposure than knowledge-based industries and need to make sure they take advantage of AI.
There is a new leveler in business. This means that small businesses will be able to adapt faster because tools will help them catch up faster and be more agile.
It also gives customers more power because they can do more. Previously, you had to call in a professional. Therefore, you may need to consult a graphic designer. You may need to hire a specific copywriter. They may have to work with a sign company, design a bedroom, or whatever they want to do.
The other day I was working with a gardening client and he told me that he had brought a mockup to the meeting that was exactly what they had designed. Therefore, change is key: adapting, responding, and being able to deliver value to your customers.
People are more obsessed with the idea of AI than thinking about what the actual problem is. So, another way to say this is, “How can we improve?” Essentially, it’s about getting more work done in less time. That is, where are the problems in my business? Where are the bottlenecks? Where are the inefficiencies in your workflow? Where are you asking your team to do work that shouldn’t exist in the first place? So what can you fix this quarter?
If you’ve been moving things in one direction, now is the time to seriously consider a quick pivot. The question isn’t what AI tools you use or whether you have the time. The question is whether you will regret it if you don’t do it now. I remember conversations I had with businesses when they first started going online. I’ve been asked why I need a website.
Basically, I don’t think of AI as something new. John McCarthy is the grandfather of the AI movement. His project, the Dartmouth Summer Research Project, was one of the founding events of artificial intelligence in 1956.
When it comes to the current state of AI, I feel like people don’t have as much time to play with it as they think. Huge numbers of jobs are already being lost to AI. It won’t replace human jobs, but it will replace humans without using AI.
When we first started using the Internet, it was based on machine learning and algorithms. I was playing a game on my computer that was based on a chess engine. It is effectively a form of artificial intelligence and has been around since the 1950s.
In hindsight, generative AI only got all the hype because it really highlighted the potential of AI and made it more accessible to non-technical people.
Of course, its power now is pretty amazing, but it’s actually nothing new. We’ve been watching this battle between man and machine for a while. To me, this is like what the Industrial Revolution did to machines: we should be able to do our jobs in half the time.
In my experience with AI, I have used many tools that are not classified as AI because they are tools that have been used seamlessly in our lives. My car has a Grok AI model built in so I can talk to it as I drive down the road.
Basically, I don’t think of AI as something new. John McCarthy is the grandfather of the AI movement. His project, the Dartmouth Summer Research Project, was one of the founding events of artificial intelligence in 1956. So when I talk about the 50s and 60s, that’s where AI comes from.
Here is my advice when it comes to using and reaping the benefits of AI today. We get together in a room and figure out business problems, bottlenecks, etc. These are human problems, but we just happen to be solving them with modern technology. It’s not that scary, it’s beneficial, and I’m never scared of it.
Steve Grant is the Founder and Managing Director of Figment, a digital growth agency he founded in 2006. She is also a speaker, podcast host, and health advocate.
