If You're Terrified of AI, You Probably Should Be
Why Avoiding Artificial Intelligence Is No Longer an Option, and What to Do Next
Invest Fort Smith 2024 was a resounding success, in my opinion. Props to Amanda Hager and the Main Street Fort Smith team of volunteers and sponsors for making it a reality.
During the event, I had the honor of closing the show with Jakob Michaelis of Dave Creek Media. Jakob is the agency’s Chief Strategy Officer and a brilliant dude when it comes to responsible AI implementation.
He’s also the founder of Auxigen.AI, a generative AI platform specifically designed for entrepreneurs. I’ve learned a lot from him in the month or so I’ve known him.
Michaelis’s Conway, Ark.-based team manages more than 100 clients across multiple states. He oversees around 36 employees.
For several months, the agency has been something of an outlier. That’s because they don’t hide the fact they’re using AI, neither in-agency nor with their clients.
When you understand that 31% of Americans believe AI causes more harm than good, you can see why this might be considered a bold move.
The more we talked, however, the more I realized Jakob has this thing figured out—and you ignore his example at your own risk.
The Blueprint for Using AI in Your Organization
To me, Dave Creek Media’s implementation of AI is the blueprint for how any organization—from one-person businesses to a global conglomerate—should embrace the technology.
And, it all boils down to three words: balance, purpose, and transparency.
Jakob was on the front end of noticing the quantum-leap AI models like ChatGPT were making in late 2022 and early 2023, specifically with analysis and content generation.
He knew the tools could disrupt what Dave Creek was doing and the Internet as a whole.
Rather than burying his head in the sand and hoping it would go away, he had open discussions with his employees. He worked to get a sense of who was using AI in their tasks.
He had those discussions without judgment. In fact, he encouraged AI use in areas where it made sense.
He and his team identified the tools they were using, as well as their capabilities and limitations. Together, they determined best-case uses for AI in their daily workflows.
They understood where automation was possible (and the most useful) and where the work required more human ingenuity.
This problem-focused approach to implementation was more forward-thinking than cutting staff because you found out “there’s an AI that can do it.”
Sports Illustrated learned this the hard way when they published AI-generated articles and attributed them to bylines of people who didn’t exist. So did media giant Gannett, long notorious for dismantling substantive reporting and shuttering newspapers, when they published this AI-generated turd as a legitimate news story:
Early irresponsible uses of AI teach an important lesson. Even companies that should know better can get it very, very wrong.
But, there’s another side to this that’s just as, if not more, lethal—not using AI at all.
And, as the title of this article says, if you’re terrified of AI, then you probably should be. Let’s spend the next few moments exploring why:
Two Camps of AI Fraidy-Cats
Fear of AI often falls into two camps: either it’s dystopian—a Skynet-style scenario where machines wrest control from humanity—or it’s existential, rooted in the belief that automation will render us all obsolete.
Both are dramatic, but they miss the practical, quiet truth that’s already in motion.
If AI replaces you, it won’t be because the machines suddenly grew sentient. It’ll be because you stood still while the rest of the world moved on.
The real danger isn’t in AI itself—it’s in the inertia of individuals and businesses who ignore its rise. AI isn’t a wave you can duck under or sidestep; it’s a tide.
It’s remapping how work is done, and the decision to embrace or avoid it has consequences that are no longer speculative—they’re already here.
The Opportunity Cost of Avoidance
Think about the spectrum of human labor.
At one end, you’ve got tasks that are repetitive and time-consuming—the perfect soil for AI automation to take root.
At the other end, there’s the complex, emotional, and creative work that only humans can deliver, at least for now.
By resisting AI, you’re effectively shackling yourself to the repetitive side of the spectrum, while those who embrace it use automation to ascend toward creativity and strategy.
Jakob gets this. As a result, Dave Creek Media is amplifying its talent and ability to add value. That’s how you future-proof a business.
Without taking time to learn the tools, here’s what could will happen:
You’ll miss out on productivity gains that competitors will not. They’re creating content faster than you. They’re extracting data insights you’re missing. They’re cutting costs by generating assets from scratch that once took a significant portion of your time (or budget, if you couldn’t handle it in-house).
You’ll make yourself more susceptible to AI-driven scams and attacks. To fight AI-driven attacks, you need AI working for you. And, you need to be knowledgeable of what it can do. Otherwise, you’re going to have servers hacked, and malware installed. You’ll share money with scammers posing as loved ones because you had no idea about voice-cloning technology. You’ll share misinformation on social media and damage your or your brand’s reputation.
You’ll no longer be marketable. AI job postings—or employers requesting AI skills from applicants—have risen by 3.5 times faster than other jobs, according to a July 2024 report from Staffing Industry Analysts. If you haven’t used any AI tools, you’re automatically behind other applicants. And, this is only the beginning.
8 Tips to Break Through a Fear of AI
If you’ve been hesitant to dip your toes into AI, or if you’ve limited yourself to the free version of ChatGPT, you’re leaving opportunities—and a lot of time—on the table.
The good news?
It’s not too late to start. Here’s how to take the first few steps toward integrating AI into your workflow and mindset:
1. Upgrade Your Tools (Strategically)
Try Premium Options: Start with ChatGPT Plus or explore other tools like Jasper, Midjourney, or Notion AI. Premium versions often offer advanced features like faster processing, access to more powerful models, and expanded memory capabilities.
Experiment with Plugins and Custom GPTs: In platforms like ChatGPT, plugins and custom GPTs can supercharge your experience. Use them for specific needs like summarizing PDFs, analyzing spreadsheets, or even generating code.
2. Learn by Doing
Automate One Task: Pick a repetitive task you dislike—writing meeting notes, creating content briefs, or organizing data. Use AI to handle it and compare the output to what you usually produce.
Document Your Workflows: Tools like Zapier and Make integrate with AI platforms to automate complex multi-step workflows. For instance, you can auto-generate a draft report based on survey results collected in Google Forms.
3. Prime for Better Prompts
AI works best with specific instructions. Instead of “Write a blog post,” try: “Write a 500-word blog post about [topic], using a friendly tone and emphasizing [key points]. Include a call-to-action at the end”.
Use the three pillars of prompting:
Act: Specify the role the AI should take (e.g., a marketing strategist).
Perform: Define the task you want done.
Produce: Request a specific output.
4. Build a Safe AI Routine
Set Boundaries: Use AI for what it does best—data-driven tasks, brainstorming, and analysis. Reserve complex decision-making, emotional labor, and nuanced creativity for yourself.
Stay Ethical: Be transparent about AI usage when collaborating with teams or producing client-facing materials. Avoid the mistakes of companies like Gannett, who faced backlash for passing off AI work as human.
5. Focus on Upskilling
Learn New Tools: From Canva’s AI design features to TurboScribe for transcription, try tools specific to your industry. Not sure if there’s an AI that can handle your specific industry? There’s An AI For That begs to differ.
Understand AI Basics: Take a free online course about AI ethics, data privacy, or machine learning. Platforms like Coursera, Khan Academy, or even YouTube have beginner-friendly content.
6. Join Communities
Network with AI Enthusiasts: Join forums, LinkedIn groups, or local meetups to see how others are using AI effectively.
Attend Mastermind Groups: Events like the one we put on at Invest Fort Smith can be opportunities to share your learning curve and learn from others. If nothing similar exists nearby, consider starting your own.
7. Build Your AI Stack
Don’t aim to revolutionize your entire workflow overnight. Start with one or two use cases where AI can make the most significant impact—then build from there.
While one AI tool may have multiple capabilities (read: modalities), that doesn’t mean it will be the best at each one.
Explore numerous tools so that you know which one performs the best at specific functions.
I use a combination of ChatGPT house models, custom GPTs, Hypertxt AI, Gemini, and Claude for content creation; Claude for data analysis; Midjourney for images; RunwayML for video; and Canva Pro for design help. But, they fluctuate in their performance. That’s why I’m not married to any of them and always open to more.
8. Reflect
Measure Time Saved: Keep tabs on how long tasks take before and after AI integration. This will help you identify where the real value lies.
Analyze Outcomes: Review whether the quality of your output improves with AI assistance. Adjust your strategies as needed.
And, Not to Be Self-Serving, But…
You can always subscribe to this, my weekly Substack, or sign up for my daily newsletter Innovation Dispatch to keep up with all the latest tips, tricks, tools, and headlines.
I hope you do.
Are you afraid or shy about using AI? What’s still holding you back? Share your experience in the comments section!