This week, I had multiple conversations with C-suite executives who are "feeling behind" in AI.
They're watching webinars and talking to experts but don't understand what they are discussing because they aren't hands-on with AI.
Here's your wake-up call: No one's coming to save you, but I am here to help you help yourself. (I feel like the Anthony Robins of AI)
Let me take you back to 1995. Remember those AOL CDs showing up in your mailbox? That Gateway 3000 computer? The "You've got mail" announcement when you connected to AOL after listening to the dial-up bee boo bah beep sounds? I remember sitting in class watching the clock turn to 3:15 for that bell to ring so I could get home and explore the internet and AOL.
I'm living that same rush again at 45—but now it's AI. My AOL is Twitter/X and the various AI tools I use. I look at my calendar every day, thinking to myself, when will these meetings be over so I can do the fun stuff with AI. Yes, it's that level of excitement for me every single day right now.
Here's the hard truth about AI leadership:
Webinars won't save you or teach you much. Someone is just trying to sell you something
Experts can't lead for you
Your team is watching you
The FIO Reality:
You must understand the basics
You must get your hands dirty
You must lead by example
Good News: You're not that far behind. Yes, generative AI has been mainstream for two years, but it's changing so fast that what was huge a year ago is almost irrelevant today. Due to the rapid change, you are only a few weeks behind at any given time.
Your Challenge This Week:
Join Twitter/X if you haven't
Follow @kslowinski (that's me)
Dedicate ONE hour daily to finding AI thought leaders from whom you can learn.
Start asking questions, no really, comment on the posts; the posters or their followers are good at responding with help
Track what you learn
Tell people in your org what you have learned to do, and show them examples.
Resources That Actually Help you learn and do more with AI:
Ali K Miller - The queen of AI teaching
Greg Isenberg - AI Idea guy
Sebastian Siemiatkowski - CEO of Klarna, pushing the boundaries of what can be done with AI in any organization
The Rundown AI - best AI news and learning resource in the land
EPHOR: My favorite AI platform [Join the waitlist here]
Remember: You don't need to be an AI expert. But you do need to understand enough to lead effectively. That's the difference between success and irrelevance.
Let's go make Magic happen,
Kathy
P.S. Share an expert you follow on x.com so I can add them to the comprehensive list I'll share next week.