How to Make Sense of the Fast-Moving AI Space

The AI world is moving at warp speed. Every week brings a new tool, a better model, or a startup claiming to automate your entire business. It’s exciting—and overwhelming. So how do you make sense of it?

Here’s how to stay focused and extract value without drowning in hype.

1. Forget the FOMO—Focus on ROI

AI is full of shiny objects. But unless it clearly saves time, cuts costs, or drives revenue, it’s probably not worth your attention. Anchor your exploration to business outcomes, not buzz.

2. Start with Problems, Not Tools

Don’t ask “What can ChatGPT do?” Ask “Where are we wasting time?” Whether it’s manual data entry, customer service backlogs, or financial reporting, start with a pain point—then look for an AI solution to solve it.

3. Think in Layers

You don’t need to understand the models (like GPT-4). Focus on tools built on top of them—apps for marketing, sales, finance, or operations. These are where ROI shows up quickly.

4. Test Fast, Then Scale

Pick one use case. Try a tool. Measure results. If it works, scale it. If not, drop it and move on. AI rewards momentum and iteration, not perfection.

5. Curate, Don’t Chase

The space changes daily. You don’t have time to track every update. Instead, follow a few trusted sources (like Ethan Mollick or Ben’s Bites) and build a simple filter: “Does this make my business better this month?”

Bottom Line:
You don’t need to master AI. You just need to use it—deliberately, and with a clear outcome in mind. Start small. Stay focused. And let ROI be your guide.