Working as a consultant in the tech space gives me a unique vantage point. I’m fortunate to collaborate with a wide range of companies—each with its own culture, pace, and approach to technology. One pattern that’s emerging with increasing clarity is how organizations are adopting (or not adopting) artificial intelligence.
It’s fascinating to observe, almost like watching three different timelines unfold simultaneously. On one end of the spectrum, you have the early adopters—companies diving headfirst into AI integration. Their approach is fast-paced and sometimes even reckless. They’re willing to experiment and break things in the name of progress. Then there’s the middle ground: organizations that are cautiously optimistic. They’re implementing AI using vetted tools, choosing thoughtful, secure strategies to embed AI into their workflows. Lastly, there’s the denial group: companies either unaware of AI’s potential impact or too hesitant to explore it. These organizations may be held back by fear, misinformation, or plain inertia.
What’s surprising is that the last group isn’t always small. You’d think the buzz around AI would motivate everyone to at least explore it—but that’s not the case. For some, the idea of machines doing what humans have traditionally done still feels too abstract or intimidating.
From my perspective, I feel incredibly lucky. My employer grants me a free hand when it comes to tool selection and implementation strategies. It’s a bit of a Wild West situation, but it’s also deeply exciting. We’re in an age of rapid progression, and having the freedom to explore the frontier is a privilege.
I’ve personally been using AI coding assistants for over three years now. When I first started, the experience was laughable—more novelty than utility. But today, these tools have evolved into indispensable partners in my workflow. I’ve been writing code professionally since 2007, and I can honestly say that in many cases, these AI tools now write better code than I do.
That brings up a very real, very human moment: the existential crisis. When a tool can outperform you at your core skill, it forces a reckoning. What’s my value? Where do I fit in?
The truth is, while AI can write code, it still needs human context. It needs direction, domain knowledge, and the nuance of real-world application. And more importantly, it frees me up to focus on higher-level problems. AI doesn’t just write code—it removes obstacles. It’s more efficient than Stack Overflow, internal docs, or even team-based peer programming in many cases. It’s a productivity booster, not a replacement.
Looking ahead, I imagine my role will continue to shift. Less time writing code, more time helping organizations understand, implement, and optimize AI to build what they need. The pace of innovation is only going to increase. Companies that embrace this will go to market faster, compete harder, and build better. Others will get left behind.
But here’s the twist: technology alone won’t determine success. The companies that win won’t be the ones with the flashiest AI—they’ll be the ones with the best customer service.
In a world increasingly powered by automation, human touch still matters. People recognize when they’re talking to a bot—and especially when it’s a bad one. Genuine customer service, whether by a human or a well-designed AI, builds trust. And that’s what keeps clients loyal.
Take the service industry as an example. I’ve seen landscaping companies do incredible work on the ground, but fall flat in customer service. Missed calls, poor follow-ups, and sloppy communication—these are fixable problems. Ironically, a good AI assistant could handle many of these tasks better than the humans currently doing them. But the key is quality. Whether it’s a bot or a person, the experience needs to feel attentive and responsive.
Even in my work, the impact is clear. Clients send vague, complex requests, and AI now helps me parse and process that input faster than ever before. It reduces friction and lets me focus on solving the real problems.
We’re standing at a crossroads where AI is transforming how we work, build, and serve. The companies that thrive will be those that not only adopt AI tools, but do so thoughtfully—with a laser focus on the human experience they deliver.
Because in the end, technology is just a tool. The real competitive edge lies in how you use it to serve people better.