While many of AI's use cases have yet to be invented, it's already beginning to make a profound impact on the world behind the scenes. In this episode of Dalton+Michael, they explore the current state of AI tech and grapple with whether or not it lives up to their expectations.
Why AI Hasn't Blown Their Minds ... Yet
This conversation explores the idea that while AI hasn't produced the massive, visible impact some expected, it’s already making profound changes in specific areas, like customer service and developer tools.
They reflect on the AI Hype Cycle, pointing out that some use cases—like customer service improvements—are being deployed behind the scenes, often in areas that were previously frustrating for consumers.
They argue that while AI might not "knock your socks off" as quickly as the smartphone revolution did, it’s still on track to create massive changes. For example, tools like GitHub Copilot are already helping developers become more productive, even if everyday consumers don't see these advancements directly.
They also discuss how innovations like the gig economy (Uber, DoorDash) took years to become mainstream, emphasizing that AI’s full potential will also take time to unfold. Startups and entrepreneurs will play a significant role in discovering and expanding AI’s use cases, even if those innovations are not immediately apparent to the average person.
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The Role Grey Bruce Startups and Entrepreneurs in the AI Space
The conversation touches on the role startups, entrepreneurs and AREA 81 play in driving innovation in the AI space. Here's a deeper dive into the key points made:
Here's a deeper dive into the key points made:
Base Innovation vs. Application Innovation:
They highlight how initial technological breakthroughs, or "base innovations," often serve as foundational tools but don’t create immediate widespread change. AI is currently at this stage, where the technology exists, but many of its revolutionary applications are yet to be fully realized.
They point out that it’s typically startups and entrepreneurs who take these foundational technologies and figure out how to turn them into something impactful. For example, AI innovations might not be immediately consumer-facing, but entrepreneurs will experiment with applying these tools in new ways across industries.
Startups are Essential for Unlocking AI's Potential:
Founders and startups are crucial because they have the freedom to experiment with AI and find those "unseen" or "behind the scenes" areas where it can be transformative. The speakers mention that the real innovation often happens after the base technology has been created—startups take that tech and build specific solutions that can disrupt industries.
They emphasize that many of the best AI use cases are still unknown and need to be discovered. Startups have the flexibility, risk tolerance, and motivation to find these valuable applications.
Timeframe of Innovation:
Drawing parallels with other technological revolutions, the speakers point out that innovation takes time. Using the gig economy as an example, they explain how Uber and DoorDash took years to become ubiquitous, despite being powered by smartphones, a "base" innovation. Similarly, AI will also take time to fully integrate into the market.
Startups are the driving force behind this slow, steady change. While large companies might adopt AI for incremental improvements, startups often find the transformative uses that scale over time.
Supporting Startup Innovation:
The speakers discuss their excitement about funding startups experimenting with AI. They recognize that the big, world-changing use cases aren’t necessarily obvious right now but believe that through funding and supporting entrepreneurial innovation, the true power of AI will be unlocked.
They stress that funding startups exploring AI tools is critical because these companies are more likely to discover novel applications that can reshape industries and daily life.
Overall, the conversation underscores the role of startups in bridging the gap between AI’s current capabilities and its future potential.
Entrepreneurs are the ones who will identify the "second-order" innovations—the applications that take the existing technology and turn it into something that fundamentally alters industries, just like the gig economy did with smartphones.
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