The AI Revolution Is Here Are You Ready

Finding the right image for an article can be a challenge. Faced with this exact problem for a column headlined 'The case for an AI wake-up call,' I turned to a modern solution: ChatGPT.

My initial prompt was simple: "I am writing a column for SiouxFalls.Business about AI and the need for Sioux Falls businesses to learn to use it. The headline is ‘The case for an AI wake-up call.’ I’m not sure what to use as an image. Could you create one that blends both Sioux Falls and this headline?”

The first attempt took the request a bit too literally.

Realizing my prompt needed more precision, I clarified: “I should note, I don’t actually want the words used in the image. I want the image to reflect the words. Your image of Sioux Falls is nice. But can you also incorporate the theme of the headline?”

The second version was exactly what I was looking for.

This simple interaction is more than just a creative exercise; it's a perfect example of what's to come.

The Inevitable AI Wake-Up Call for Business

If you've started integrating tools like ChatGPT into your work, this probably seems familiar. If not, consider this your official wake-up call. Generative AI, a form of artificial intelligence capable of creating new and original content, has advanced at an astonishing pace. If your business isn't actively exploring how to incorporate this technology into its workflow, you are on the verge of facing a significant competitive disadvantage.

I've already discovered numerous ways AI can save time and enhance content in my own work. The potential to unlock further efficiencies and improvements is enormous, benefiting both my business and our readers. It’s clear that dedicating time to mastering these tools is no longer optional—it's a necessity, because others in every industry are doing just that.

Recently, while working on a story about proposed development projects, I learned that the architectural renderings were created by an intern using AI. This is just one of many professions currently being reshaped by this technology.

Echoes of the Dot-Com Boom AI's Rapid Adoption

This moment in time feels remarkably similar to the dawn of the commercial internet.

• In 1995, a business with a website was a rarity.
• By 2005, every early adopter and most large businesses had an online presence.
• By 2010, not having a website meant you were behind the times and actively losing business.

It took fifteen years for the internet to go from a novelty to a business standard. Given its nature, the adoption of AI will likely happen much faster—if we can keep up.

Are Local Businesses Keeping Pace?

A survey conducted by the Prairie Family Business Association about a year ago provides a stark picture of the current landscape. Out of 160 regional family businesses surveyed:

• Only 13% had implemented AI into their business practices.
• Just 18% felt they had the necessary skills to do so.
• A mere 11% reported that top management promoted AI as a strategic priority.

These numbers are concerning for the future sustainability of our local economy. While it can be daunting to know where to begin, starting can be as simple as creating a free account and exploring what these tools can do. This gap also presents a massive opportunity for entrepreneurs who can become experts in helping others navigate the changes ahead.

Navigating the Dual-Edged Sword of AI

As a community, we must also confront the very real threats AI poses. The next economic downturn could be driven by job losses in traditional white-collar roles that AI can perform faster, cheaper, and more accurately.

There's also a potential threat to our own intellect. Just as the Industrial Revolution led to a more sedentary physical existence, the AI revolution could do the same for our minds. As AI gets better at formulating thoughts for us, will we become less adept at thinking, analyzing, and evaluating for ourselves? Those who succeed will be the ones who learn to leverage this technology effectively or pivot to roles that are difficult to automate.

Curious, I asked ChatGPT for a more futuristic version of the Sioux Falls image. The result was a bit darker.

When I questioned if Sioux Falls would ever see such tall buildings, ChatGPT provided a detailed analysis, referencing city planning documents and concluding that mid-rise developments are more likely. Interestingly, three of the five sources it cited were from my own publication, SiouxFalls.Business. This shows that for now, credible human-generated information remains valuable—even if its use by AI isn't directly compensated.

The Path Forward Embracing the AI Shift

We are committed to increasing our coverage of AI, highlighting the businesses that are using it effectively and exploring the critical issues that come with it. It is our responsibility as a business media organization to raise awareness about this paradigm-shifting technology. Hopefully, these stories will be read, if not immediately, then as soon as the inevitable AI wake-up call arrives for you and your business.