How to Beat AI FOMO
Inbal Israeli Gaffa
2X Founder ? AI Lecturer ? Neuroscience Student (Msc.) ? Business Mediator & Lawyer ? Business Development ? Podcast Host
We've all been there. You wake up to dozens of AI headlines announcing new breakthroughs, billion-dollar investments, and emerging tech. A feeling creeps in that you're being left behind in the AI race. Enter FOMO - the Fear Of Missing Out.?
Global spending on AI is projected to surge from $50 billion in 2020 to over $300 billion by 2026, according to the IDC. This torrent of new tools, trends, and breakthroughs naturally induces FOMO anxiety. Our brains are wired to seek information to stay informed and included. However, if unchecked, this FOMO can lead to obsession, scattered focus, and burnout.?
In this article, I'll explore the psychology of FOMO, provide common examples of AI FOMO in the tech industry, examine its effects on career development, and share tips from industry leaders on how to overcome such AI FOMO.
A. The Psychology of FOMO
FOMO taps into our evolutionary instincts to seek opportunities and avoid losses. It's fueled by social comparisons and can lead to compulsive behaviors like obsessively checking social media. According to research in "Computers in Human Behavior," FOMO is linked to lower life satisfaction and can create a self-perpetuating cycle of anxiety and compulsive checking. In the tech world, this can lead to hasty adoption of new technologies, potentially resulting in poor outcomes.
However, FOMO sometimes, can motivate you in a way, it’s like a sense of urgency to be better. In my opinion, the key is not avoiding FOMO but learning how to harness it as a catalyst for growth. See it as your mind telling you there are new skills to gain and knowledge to acquire. FOMO is a call to action.
B. How AI FOMO Manifests in the Tech Industry:
Common examples:
C. The Dual Impact of FOMO on Career Development
The impact of FOMO on your career can be a double-edged sword. On one hand, the drive to stay updated and competitive can lead you to seize new opportunities, upskill, and broaden your network. However, it can also result in a scattered focus, causing you to jump from one trend to another without gaining meaningful expertise or experience. This perpetual feeling of missing out can lead to burnout, making it crucial to find a balanced approach to career development in our rapidly evolving world.
D. Tips to Control AI FOMO
1. "AI Compass" to Navigate the FOMO Storm
??My tip is to adopt the ‘AI Compass’ approach. Map out your AI learning journey by identifying the key areas that align with your career goals and personal interests. Visualize this map and pin the technologies, trends, and tools you aim to explore. Now, with every wave of new information, evaluate it against your map. If it aligns with your plotted course, delve in, learn, and adapt. If not, acknowledge it, but let it pass, keeping your ship steady on the charted route. This approach turns the AI world from an overwhelming storm into an ocean of opportunity. That's (part of) what we do at InBe.
2. Use AI to Beat AI FOMO
Employ AI-powered tools to sift through research and industry news, saving time and keeping you updated.
??Tal Peretz, Senior AI Engineer at Zapier, shares that he created his own AI feed machine: “Surface AI”. He created an interesting system that could automate finding and surfacing AI reads, tailored to his specific interests. It saved him time and increased efficiency.
How "Surface AI" Works -it connects to various RSS feeds that are a rich source of AI-related content via Feedly API. Using the power of GPT-4, it processes this sea of information, identifying the articles that are most likely to be of interest.?
3. Focus on Specific Learning Areas
Choose 2-3 AI technologies, trends and tools that align with your field. Take specific courses to deepen your expertise, and follow professionals. Use platforms to curate news directly related to your focus areas and set aside a block of time each week—to read through these updates. Remember, your expertise together with AI is a winning combination of skills.?Here is my "AI Think Tank" - people to follow in various fields of AI.
??Ruben Hassid, Generative AI Top Voice, shares his tip:
“Overcoming FOMO is about self-control.
Continuous Learning - Instead of fearing what you don't know, channel that energy into learning.
领英推荐
Every day offers a new lesson. I am a leading voice in Generative AI.
Yet, there are SO many things I just don't know.
Because I can't know everything. Instead, I select the few topics I want to be on top of. You should do the same. Select a few newsletters. Select a few creators. Let them be your curators.”
??Rinat Keinan, Product Innovator and AI Creative Enthusiast shares her tip:
"As soon as you acquire new knowledge or skills, integrate them into your current projects, side ventures, or even through simulation exercises.
This real-world application reinforces learning, provides instant feedback, and adds value to your work"
??Vered Horesh, Chief Strategic AI Partnerships at Bria.AI shares her tip: “With the explosion of AI news, research, and commentary, it's impossible to keep up with everything. Instead of trying, be selective. Follow just a handful of quality publications, experts, and communities tightly aligned to your interests and goals. It's okay not to know every new AI capability in development or AI update. Focus on trends most relevant to your work. Go deep on a few emerging skills or topics of interest rather than chasing scattered surface-level hype. An overloaded yet superficial knowledge will fuel anxiety, not meaningful progress. Don't be a jack of all AI trades, master of none. Grow your expertise by cultivating quality over quantity.”
4. Learning about AI as a Team & Improve Work-Life Balance
??Mali Alcobi, Owner at dynamix & work-life balance researcher, shares insights on the "Thinking Good" podcast. She advocates for learning about AI as a team at work and suggests creating a support group with a monthly study ritual focused on AI. Additionally, Alcobi emphasizes that using AI tools presents a unique opportunity to improve work-life balance. These tools can reduce working hours, freeing up time for leisure activities, hobbies, and further learning.”
By incorporating these strategies, you can keep FOMO in check while fostering continuous learning and growth in the fast-paced world of AI.
5. FOMO as a Catalyst for Growth
??“One of the key pillars of finding happiness at work – is to be constantly learning and developing”, said Jessica Weiss, a renowned Happiness Expert. “And, it is here where FOMO can be a force for good. FOMO is the antidote for complacency.? It is the cure for getting too comfortable.? Curiosity, evolution, and development are essential for career satisfaction.? Fear of getting left behind can and should be channeled into learning which will result in more satisfaction with your work.? (learning and development also inoculate against a toxic work environment– so there is a double benefit!).? But be careful not to channel that FOMO into a constant search for new promotions - because chasing titles and promotions will never bring you lasting happiness”, Jessica added.
6. Focus on the Problem You Aim to Solve
In the rush to adopt AI, ensure your business problem is clear and concise. Evaluate various AI tools and examine their cost, ethical alignment, and compatibility with your goals. Avoid quick integration. Instead, try the AI solution on a small scale first, assess its effectiveness, and ensure it provides the expected value before a full-scale implementation. This strategic approach prevents potential problems and ensures that the AI solution genuinely addresses the issues it's intended to solve.
So the next time you feel like you're falling behind in the world of AI, take a breath and use these tips (: Remember, FOMO isn't a bad thing, it's a sign that you're curious and want to learn more. Use it as a boost to focus, learn, and connect. Turn that fear of missing out into the joy of diving in!
Kindly share your thoughts and stories with me (:
Yours,
Inbal Israeli Gaffa
Co-Founder and CEO
InBe Tech
Further reading:
Cloud Engineer | Web Developer | SEO
12 个月To overcome AI FOMO, it's important to stay updated on industry trends, continuously educate yourself, and focus on your unique strengths. Avoid comparing yourself to others and instead, concentrate on your growth and development.
Master AI before it masters you.
1 年Thanks for featuring me! Inbal
AI Strategy | AI Partnerships | AI Law
1 年Such an uplifting article, Inbal, with plenty of wise tips! Thank you for including mine too!
Great article! such insightful tips.
Empower the Future with Cutting-Edge Technology
1 年Great post! Thanks for sharing