Why Most AI Strategies Don’t Work (and One That Does)
When I encounter a company investing in an LLM, I always ask the same question.
"What are you going to do with it? What’s your plan?" (I ask this in a charming, breezy tone.)
"To talk to our data!” is the inevitable response. “So our clients can talk to our data. So our team can talk to our data."
Everyone wants to talk to their data.
And I support that! It’s a needle mover! LLMs are phenomenal at talking to your data.
But there's a huge problem here.
Everyone is thinking way too small.
They're spending like they're buying a Picasso, but they're actually buying a poster of a Picasso. A great poster! Like, framed and everything.
But they're wasting money on a commodity instead of differentiating.
So let’s talk about how to actually differentiate your business with AI.
STEP 1: UNDERSTAND THE PROBLEM
If you limit your LLM to a use case - no matter how impactful that use case is (i.e., talking to your data) - you're missing out on the very thing that makes LLMs so powerful.
So why do we do it?
Our brains crave patterns and structure. In other words - clear use cases. We want to know exactly what we're doing with a new tool, so we latch onto the first great use case.
But here's the thing: Generative AI isn't just another tool. It's a revolution in how we work, and limiting it like that is like limiting your use of electricity to the lightbulb. Powerful, but there’s so much more.
STEP 2: RECOGNIZE THE PITFALLS
Using an LLM to talk to your data won't differentiate you from your competitors.
Why? Because you've turned AI into a tool rather than new way of working. And when everyone else gets their hands on the same tool in 6 months - and they will - you'll be left wondering where your competitive edge went.
It's like discovering Salesforce or Excel. They're great, but if you're just using them for the same things as everyone else, you're not setting yourself apart. (Don't even get me started on Microsoft Copilot.) If that's the extent of your AI strategy…well. That might be problematic.
Instead, differentiate by creating a new way of working in your organization by augmenting what your people can do. That’s change management, and it makes a huge difference.
STEP 3: EMBRACE A NEW MINDSET
Instead of asking, "What are the use cases for our LLM?" ask yourself, "How can we integrate generative AI across our entire organization?"
This is where the magic happens.
Take a page from Moderna's book. They collaborated with OpenAI to maximize their impact on patients by weaving generative AI into every aspect of their operations. They launched their own ChatGPT instance called mChat, which saw over 80% internal adoption, and deployed 750 GPTs across the company.
Now, you might be thinking, "But Moderna's use case is drug discovery! That's what they do!"
And you're right. But here's the kicker:
That's not the only way they're using generative AI. They're leveraging it to level up their entire organization, from research and development to marketing and beyond.
That's the mindset shift you need to make. Stop thinking about your LLM as a tool for a specific task and start thinking about it as a catalyst for organizational transformation.
STEP 4: LEVEL UP YOUR ORGANIZATION
Now it's your turn. Start by identifying areas where each team and employee can boost their performance and creativity using generative AI.
Maybe it's your marketing department crafting compelling ad copy, your HR team streamlining the onboarding process, or your R&D folks exploring innovative product ideas.
The possibilities are endless.
But don't stop there. Encourage your teams to experiment with generative AI in ways you haven't even considered. Foster a culture of innovation and exploration, where everyone is empowered to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI.
Remember, your employees are your greatest asset. By equipping them with the power of generative AI, you're not just boosting their productivity – you're unlocking their full potential.
STEP 5: DIFFERENTIATE AND DOMINATE
By leveraging generative AI across your organization, you'll be doing more than just talking to your data – you'll be creating a competitive advantage that's tough to replicate.
While your rivals are still trying to figure out their LLM's use cases, you'll be building a supercharged workforce that's smarter, more creative, and more engaged than ever before.
A bonus: As you integrate generative AI into every facet of your organization, you'll start to uncover new opportunities and insights that you never even knew existed.
BIG TAKEAWAYS
Don't limit your LLM to a single use case. Think bigger and bolder.
Integrate generative AI across your entire organization to unlock its true potential.
Level up your teams and employees by leveraging AI to boost performance, creativity, and innovation.
Foster a culture of experimentation and exploration, where everyone is empowered to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI.
Differentiate your company by using generative AI as a catalyst for organizational transformation, not just a tool for specific tasks.
Remember, your LLM isn't just fancy Google – it's a key to unlocking a brighter, more innovative future for your organization.
So, forget about use cases and start thinking about transformation. That means a change in behavior. Which, by the way, requires training (which is why I do a ton of).
Your competitors won't know what hit them, but you'll be too busy basking in the glow of your AI-powered success to care.
Don't settle for a framed poster when you could have an original Picasso. It’s still early. You can differentiate and blast past your competition. Let’s do this, friends.
AI NEWS OF THE WEEK
OpenAI and Moderna create a powerhouse
Mentioned this above, but it’s an amazing case. OpenAI and Moderna have collaborated to infuse generative AI through the organization, every department. That’s the model everyone should look at.
Microsoft building in house
Microsoft’s AI team, led by Mustafa Suleyman, is building MAI-1, a model that can compete with GPT4 and others. Is this a hedge in case something happens to OpenAI? Or is this just another model?
TikTok to label AI content
TikTok is going to automatically label content that’s been generated with AI. This is huge news and hopefully others follow suit - deep fakes are going to fool a ton of people, not just Katy Perry fans.
Generative AI Tips
A totally underrated use for ChatGPT? Personal therapist.
Look, all the usual disclaimers in place and all, I know. But there are times that I’m driving and something’s nagging at me - something bringing me down. Imposter syndrome, feelings of failure, all that great stuff.
Use ChatGPT voice to just tell ChatGPT what you’re feeling. You’ll be shocked at how compassionate, empathetic, and ultimately helpful it is.
Seriously. That’s the world we live in now. It’s actually pretty great, you ask me.
