If everyone is an analyst, be an artist.

By Phin Barnes

A truth is emerging in the age of AI everything. As Brian Halligan , the cofounder of Hubspot, put it: "Analytical skills are overrated. Taste is underrated."

Why? Because while analysts can create strategies, it's the artists - those with true taste - who drive real value creation.?

This is happening because AI has democratized analysis. Everyone's an analyst now, armed with:

1. AI-Generated Reports. Analysts can pump out data-rich documents that catch eyes but rarely change minds.

2. Automated Data. Analysts can find patterns at superhuman speed but often miss the forest for the trees.

3. AI-Assisted Writing. Analysts can craft polished memos that sound smart but say little.

4. Sentiment Analysis. Analysts can give everyone a finger on the market's pulse but not its soul.

5. AI-Powered Forecasting. Analysts can predict trends without understanding the currents beneath.

We’re in a tsunami of analysis. Strategy decks bulge with charts. Investment memos overflow with market data. Everyone's shouting insights, and it’s unclear who's listening.?

This is where artists - people with taste - step in. They don't just attract attention; they create value by:

1. Asking the right questions

2. Identifying the few critical factors in a mountain of data points

3. Recognizing patterns that algorithms miss

4. Understanding human behavior and desires beyond the data

Think of it this way:

Analysts recognize the need for more collaborative writing tools. Artists gave us Notion .

Analysts told us that banking and lending were not meeting consumer needs. Artists created Aven .

Analysts studied the inefficiencies of utilities and government. Artists put people first with Promise .

Analysts recognized the need for better technology for our soldiers in harm's way. Artists built TurbineOne .

Analysts pointed out all the ways our education system was failing. Artists imagined SchoolAI .

To be clear—analysis matters. It's the foundation. But in a world where AI makes everyone an analyst, it's table stakes. The real value creators - the artists with taste - use analysis as a springboard for innovation, not a crutch for decision-making. So, what's the play?

For founders: Cultivate taste in your organization. Reward those who ask "why" and "what if," not just "how much" and "how often."

For investors: Look beyond the pitch decks laden with AI-generated market analyses. Seek the founders whose insights come from a deep understanding of human nature and technological possibilities through their lived experiences.?

For everyone: Use AI to sharpen your analytical skills, absolutely. But invest even more in developing your taste. In the end, it's the artists who can see beyond the numbers who will capture value and create the future. So be an artist.?