If AI is Drogon, Will You Be Khaleesi? Or Someone Who Stood In Awe?

I recently saw an image on LinkedIn that made an AI and dragon analogy so I ran with it. 

I think this is one of the best ways I heard AI described for people (like me) who are curious, nervous, or unsure about it. 

It’s a powerful tool that has been all the craze within the past few months. 

Many believe AI will be the best thing that ever happened. That it will lift society to levels we never imagined. 

Others are confident that it’s the end of humanity and AI will take over and control the world. 

Unfortunately, I think either is possible. 

Only time will tell. 

A big indicator will be who harnesses the power of AI. How they do it. And what they do with it.

My Game of Thrones analogy. 

When Khaleesi birthed her three dragons, it was something no living person in Westeros saw before. 

Instantly she obtained a power greater than anyone could fathom. Power that no one (other than a White Walker I guess?) was going to be able to match. 

Yes, her two smaller dragons were killed. People started working on defenses to help protect/defend against them. 

Same thing many people are doing right now to defend/protect against the use of AI in certain situations. 

Some defenses will be effective. Some will not. 

Regardless. 

When the dragons were first born. They were cute little things that could blow small flames and puffs of smoke. They were easy for Khaleesi to literally hold on to and control. 

As the dragons matured. It was challenging for Khaleesi to remain in control. 

There were times where she lost control. 

There were times where she had to do her best to show them who was in charge. 

Ultimately, because she was able to show them she was in charge, she was able to control them most of the time. Which gave her great power. 

Everyone else suffered the consequences and just had to accept what was happening. 

That’s what I think AI will be like. 

Individuals who dive into this new technology. Really embrace it. Live with it. Grow with it. They’ll be the ones who harness its power. 

Everyone else will be forced to accept the new reality. 

Yes, those diving in may get some burns and get bit along the way. But you fall and scrape your knees or cut your elbows when you first learn how to ride a bike. 

It’s part of the learning curve with everything in life. 

Some people stop there. After getting a little hurt. They get scared or defeated. 

Others keep going. 

Going All In On AI

One of my business partners is very all in on AI. 

He’s a top tier developer and coder. 

His take on AI is that it’s not going to replace him or his job. But someone who knows how to use AI, someone who is an expert, will replace him and his job. 

So he’s committed to becoming an expert. 

I asked how he plans to do that.

He’s building a bunch of AI tools, platforms, etc. 

He’s using AI to build businesses that he doesn’t even plan to implement or execute. He just wants to put the reps in with using AI and building with it. 

Understanding how to harness its power. 

Getting In Your AI Reps

The philosophy of putting the reps in stuck with me.

It’s like sports or lifting. 

You’re rarely very good the first time you touch a ball. You need to take some terrible shots before you learn how to take a good one. Then, you need to take a bunch of good shots to become great. 

With lifting, you’re likely not very strong the first day you decide to hit the weights. You gotta start with some 15s or 20s. 

Why wouldn’t AI be the same? 

Why wouldn’t I start getting some reps in now? While it’s still fairly new and evolving. 

Especially if I plan to be in business and/or content creation the rest of my life.

If I’m not using AI to expedite my timelines, production, or learning curve, I’m going to get crushed by those who are. 

Levels the Playing Field

AI levels the playing field for bootstrapped/up-and-coming entrepreneurs. 

They can now do things that were previously reserved for big companies with six or seven figure budgets. 

As scrappy entrepreneurs understand how to harness AI… that’ll have a significant impact on the business world.

One More GOT Analogy

As I mentioned above, I think it’s going to come down to who harnesses this tool, and why. 

Khaleesi did a lot of great things with her dragons. Freed a bunch of slaves. Brought peace and justice to many. 

But that final day at Kings Landing she also killed a bunch of innocent people. Simply because she had the power to do so and no one could stop her. 

One of the things I’m most interested in: The tools people will build to play defense on AI. Those tools will need to be wicked smart and sophisticated.

There’s going to be so much innovation here.

Start Dating AI 

So what am I going to do immediately? 

I’m looking at “simple” stuff. Content creation, ad copy, document summarization, paid ad management and optimization, etc.

I like the idea of using AI to do all the backend work to launch a new business. Even if there’s zero intention to actually run it. 

Just to get more reps in. 

I’m going to continue to lean into this direction. I’m still lifting some light weights. But hopefully in the next few months I’ll move up to the 30s or 40s.

I do believe that if I don’t learn how to use and harness AI I’ll be at a significant disadvantage.

What’s your take on AI? 

Also, what Game of Thrones spinoff do you wanna see most? I wanna see Robert’s Rebellion or Aria’s journey.