The Hype Around A.I.

What Are We Really Expecting?

There’s a lot of hype around Artificial Intelligence (A.I.). A.I. has become a buzzword that’s constantly in the news, on social media, and in everyday conversations. It’s fascinating how every new development in A.I. is often met with declarations that it’s “INSANE” or “mind-blowing.” Infact some of my tweets on this topic – inspired this blog post. (Hey it’s my blog and I’ll rant if I want to!). Nearly every A.I. excited person on twitter (nah I’m not ever going to call it X!) is tweeting “this is insane” every time an A.I. model comes out with a new feature. To which I always say no it’s not insane. Yes, I know they are trying to hype it up and get buy in, but I don’t like that sort of hype to go unquestioned.

So, as small and solo business owners, what should we truly expect from A.I.?

The Evolution of A.I.-Predictable Progress

It’s no surprise that A.I. is advancing rapidly, more rapidly in-fact than our ability to regulate it. We have written about this generally here and cue the mood music for Meta and Adobe.

Each step forward in technology builds upon the last, much like how the internet became faster and smartphones became more intelligent over time.

As business owners, it’s important to keep a level head amidst the hype. Yes, A.I. is doing incredible things, but these developments should be expected as part of the natural progression of innovation. Instead of being perpetually surprised, we should focus on understanding and leveraging these advancements and deciding whether they can actually help our businesses.

Appreciating Innovation Without the A.I Hype.

While it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement, it’s more beneficial to approach A.I. with a balanced perspective. If we can recognise the potential of A.I. without being overwhelmed every new feature or application can help us make better decisions for our businesses.

For instance, rather than being amazed that A.I. can now generate human-like text or analyse vast datasets in seconds, we should ask ourselves: How can these capabilities solve problems or create opportunities for my business?

Wise Use of A.I. in Small Businesses

I’m in a lot of small business groups and forums and every time someone asks a question requesting help inevitably someone will say “just use A.I.” as if it’s the answer to everything. It’s not the answer to everything it’s a tool and you need to know how to use it and make it work for you. This in itself is a learning curve which many don’t want to acknowledge.

For small and solo business owners, using A.I. wisely means meshing tools and solutions that align with your business goals without overcommitting to every new trend. Here are some practical steps to ensure you’re making the most of A.I.

1. Identify Your Needs: Before adopting any A.I. tool, clearly define the problems you need to solve. Whether it’s automating customer service, optimising marketing campaigns, or improving inventory management, knowing your specific needs will help you choose the right A.I. applications.
2. Start Small: Begin with A.I. tools that offer quick wins. Chatbots for customer service, basic analytics for understanding customer behavior, and automation tools for social media management can provide immediate benefits without a steep learning curve.
3. Stay Informed, Not Overwhelmed: Keep up with A.I. advancements relevant to your industry, but don’t feel pressured to adopt every new technology. Focus on what makes sense for your business size and stage.
4. Invest in Training: Ensure that you and your team understand how to use A.I. tools effectively, if that is right for your business. Proper use of these tools is crucial for maximising their potential.
5. Ethical Considerations: Use A.I. responsibly. Ensure your use of data complies with privacy laws and ethical standards. Transparency with your customers about how you use A.I. builds trust and credibility.

Making A Positive Impact with A.I.

The ultimate goal of using A.I. in business should be to create a positive impact. Whether it’s providing better customer service, increasing efficiency, or developing new products, A.I. can be a powerful tool. Instead of being overwhelmed the rapid advancements, let’s get excited about the opportunities they present without losing focus on what is ACTUALLY NEEDED in your business at a given time.

By approaching A.I. with a balanced perspective and a focus on practical application, small and solo business owners can harness its power effectively without losing their minds 🙂

The Real Guide to A.I. is now available from our download shop.