Navigating the AI Revolution: Embracing the Comfort of Discomfort

To me, the AI revolution kind of feels like déjà vu. I was fortunate enough to be growing up in New York during the 80s and 90s when the PC and Internet Revolutions were in full swing. Did you know that back then, if you wanted to play a computer game, you needed to know how to type an .exe command? Made me feel like a computer programmer. And let’s not forget the era when no one was allowed to pick up the house phone if someone was online… Ah, the joys of dial-up!

When I moved to Cyprus as a teenager, it felt like stepping back in time, not because the technology wasn’t available, but because people were resistant to embracing it. Not many were in a hurry to change the status quo, especially when the status quo was as comfortable as Cyprus in the late 90s. Those who did, however, have plenty to show for it today. The same thing is happening today with the AI revolution. Once again, the world is dividing itself into two camps: those who embrace change and those who fear it.

But here’s the truth: a technological revolution will happen whether we’re ready or not. The PC, Internet, and Mobile Revolutions all followed the same pattern: skepticism, resistance, adoption, and finally, the realization that those who adapted first reaped the benefits. It ties well with the innovation adoption line, where early adopters and laggards will always exist.

The AI revolution is no different. It will change the future similarly to how past technological revolutions have changed it…in the past. Great overview article here. The question isn’t IF AI will reshape the way we work; it’s whether you’re going to be on the winning side of that change.

Embracing AI: Our Team’s Journey

Walking around the office these last few months, I’ve felt a unique vibe as I watch people work. The best way I could describe it is an “excited discomfort”. The ‘discomfort’ part is vastly due to AI. Everyone knows that it’s something new that they need to familiarize themselves with. That’s happened plenty of times before. However, this change in question, AI, is continuing to evolve at a faster pace than the our own pace of adaptation. Feels like we’ll never catch up.

The ‘excited’ part is due to our culture. Led by 2 challenge-oriented directors, we have gotten used to sprinting into pitch dark tunnels and walking out the other end with proud smiles and slightly broken noses. Metaphorically. They really don’t like it when I praise them in articles, so just to counteract the compliments, here’s a small awkward photo of them:

Moving on, the clear AI champion of the pack is Paris. He’s the one constantly introducing us to new AI tools and updates. But, more importantly, he’s the first one who truly accepted that one day in the near future, his own profession will be at risk of being replaced by AI.

Deano and I caught on quickly, using AI to attempt to replace our own tasks, essentially attempting to make ourselves obsolete. We would use AI to handle everything from structuring articles to designing images and creating personalized sales messages in no time.

The efficiency boost was incredible. What used to take hours could now be done in minutes, especially in sales, where lead research and messaging became not just faster but more creative. Deano, in particular has created his own custom GPTs to boost various aspects of his work. There is always a learning curve, of course, but the results very quickly become astonishing.

Sidenote, I also began using AI at home, testing its limitations, attempting to make as many professions as I can obsolete. My favorite one was treating it as a career counselor who is also a human parent. I actually wrote an article about that conversation. You can find it here.

Victoria was a bit more hesitant at first in accepting the AI revolution. She started with small things, like using AI to check grammar in emails. But as she got more comfortable, she began brainstorming social media content with it, and now, she uses AI for everything from designing training room layouts to organizing food menus for large groups with dietary restrictions. It’s amazing to see how she’s gone from cautious to fully embracing the possibilities AI offers.

Lastly, but most impressively,? there’s Alex, who was almost shocked into adopting AI. He had hired a sound editor for a project, only to find that AI could produce a higher quality result in three minutes. The editor would have needed ten days. Initially stunned, Alex quickly saw the opportunity the AI revolution brought with it. He began using AI to free up time by executing his usual tasks MUCH faster. This allowed him to focus on seeking new business ventures. Since then, he has become an inspiration.

The Psychology of Discomfort

Every technological shift comes with a level of discomfort. The way people handle discomfort can tell you a lot about them. Think about it. I would argue that discomfort mismanagement is one of the core problems of any functioning society. When people feel uncomfortable, they can either bravely overcome their emotions by diving right into the awkwardness, or do anything to avoid leaving their comfort zone.

Simple examples can include introverts being forced to socialize or someone attempting to start a new hobby. Imagine joining a dance class for the first time ever. One must accept the initial discomfort if they want to progress. More drastic examples can be racism, alcoholism and societal division where people DECIDE their limitations and develop coping mechanisms spanning from homophily to isolation to even substance abuse. If one limits their life’s experiences, their life feels more ‘manageable’.?

The AI revolution is no different. It’s unpredictable, and that can be scary. But as I’ve learned, every uncertainty is frightening until you turn it into certainty. And that starts with control. The sense of control, especially with something new, often comes from allowing yourself to be vulnerable, accepting that you don’t know everything but are willing to learn. In the end, it’s the journey itself that creates the bravery and pride that ultimately fuel you, not the destination.

That’s what happened with the AI revolution in our team. The more we exposed ourselves to it, the more comfortable we became. Over time, it became less about fearing AI and more about mastering it. Whether it’s imagery, video, text, or even research, there’s always a way to turn discomfort into an advantage. We’ve even launched our first AI product, Rapid Visual which shortens an innovation discovery sprint from months to mere hours.

Don’t Get Left Behind

Technological revolutions don’t wait for anyone. They may be daunting but also provide a moment of real opportunity. It’s up to each of us to decide what that moment will be as we look back at it. Will it be a pivotal moment that leads to a new version of ourselves. Or will it be a Kodak moment? Get it?

The AI revolution is happening whether you deny it or not. Of course, there are endless ethical conversations that could be had, arguing over all the ‘Should’ questions. Should we be developing this? Should it be replacing jobs? The way I see it, we have no control over ‘should questions’. All we can do is discuss for the sake of discussing. But, the actual power is business and its relentless momentum to move forward faster.

Instead,? we can ask ourselves the ‘Could’ questions. What could AI help me do better? What could I do that couldn’t do before? Where could I be in the future if I fully embraced it? What could the AI revolution mean for me?

The truth is that if you haven’t already included some aspects of AI in your work, you’re already missing out on opportunities and will gradually become less competitive. Business will always continue, and clients will always exist, but they just won’t be yours.

So, the real question is: will you embrace the discomfort and turn it into your next advantage, or will you be left behind. The good thing is that the new science that the AI revolution is unpacking is still VERY immature. In other words, the train has not left the station yet. All aboard!