The Age Of Intelligence As A Service Is Here. What Now?

The Age Of Intelligence As A Service Is Here. What Now?

Intelligence as a service is here and reshaping every aspect of work and daily life in the next 5 years.

A growing digital divide exists between those who harness AI effectively and those who remain unaware.

The Time to Act Is Now

  • Individuals: Train in practical AI usage and maintain a growth mindset.
  • Businesses: Avoid the false (security) trap of banning AI Assistants and upskill your teams.
  • Governments: Invest in education, and ensure equitable access.

“AI is not only for engineers. It brings changes in the dynamic of business, and we have to adapt or die.” — Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft

Generative AI yields an average ROI of $3.7 for every dollar spent, with leaders achieving up to 10X returns. It will contribute 0.1–0.6% annual labour productivity growth through 2040, surpassing historical gains from PCs and the internet.

This isn’t just theoretical. OSF HealthCare’s implementation of an AI virtual care navigation assistant named Clare provides a single point of contact for patients to navigate self-service care options, transforming patient experience while reducing operational costs. And First Place for Youth, a non-profit built an AI recommendation engine analyzing program administration and case assessment data to improve outcomes for youth services.

Generative AI is ushering in a new world of work, driven by “Intelligence As A Service” (IaaS).

Key Concepts Underpinning Intelligence as a Service

Before diving into the transformation, it might be useful to provide some grounding in key ideas that underpin it:

  • AI (Artificial Intelligence): These are task-specific systems designed to execute particular functions like language translation or image recognition. For instance, your smartphone’s voice assistant leverages AI to process and respond to your commands.
  • AGI (Artificial General Intelligence): Representing a broader capability akin to human cognition, AGI is a theoretical system capable of solving problems across a wide array of domains. Though it remains a future aspiration, advances in AI inch us closer to its realization.
  • ASI (Artificial Superintelligence): A hypothetical scenario where machine intelligence surpasses human abilities in nearly all fields. While speculative, ASI raises important ethical and philosophical questions about AI’s role in society.

These foundational layers underpin Intelligence as a Service, which leverages AI to deliver on-demand cognitive tools that enhance human intelligence, which brings us to our next chapter.

Embracing the Age of Intelligence as a Service

Intelligence as a service refers to the instant availability of advanced cognitive capabilities that enhance our ability to think, reason, and solve problems. Much like engaging in a productive conversation with a knowledgeable partner, these services provide on-demand intellectual support, fostering better decisions and deeper insights. It is here today and, when used properly, enables us to do more and better work, in less time.

Take, as an example, writing this very article. The difference between how I would have approached this 2 years ago, versus what I am doing today is dramatic:

The result is a more thoroughly thought-out piece of work, written in easier-to-understand, more concise language, taking less time today than a first draft would have taken 2 years ago. And the important part here is not the “writing help,” but the “assisted thinking” — the intelligence as a service.

Some more examples in case you might think the above is too nice:

Brainstorming: Devil’s Advocate

Identifying & Masking Sensitive Data

Generating Meeting Summaries & Follow-ups

At Mindstone, we see firsthand how impactful AI can be in people’s jobs, once they have been taught at least some of the basics. This intelligence can now improve our data analysis, our thinking, our decision-making and much more.

Beyond streamlining rational tasks, IaaS also inspires creativity and innovation, an example of which can be found in the Coca-Cola AI-powered holiday advertisements this year — demonstrating how even the most traditional industries are embracing these technologies to innovate at the highest levels.

Whether it’s leveraging AI to refine writing, automate research, or even draft strategic plans, intelligence as a service provides immediate, practical benefits. And this is only the beginning.

As tools like AI Assistants (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.), Gemini DeepResearch, and NotebookLM become more widely used, they will increasingly blur the line between human ingenuity and machine-driven insight. The question is no longer whether we should use AI — it’s how to use it effectively to stay ahead.

A World on the Brink of Rapid Change

On its own, this would be a lot to deal with for anyone, but the world today is primed for transformative change in more areas than one, with multiple forces converging to accelerate disruption and innovation. Intelligence as a Service (IaaS) emerges within this volatile environment, shaped by geopolitical, societal, and economic shifts that facilitate faster adaptation than ever before.

Geopolitical Upheaval: A Changing Global Landscape

Global tensions — from the ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Israel to heightened U.S.-China competition — are reshaping priorities and driving nations to invest heavily in AI and infrastructure. The Trump presidency and DOGE add further unpredictability to the mix, pushing industries and governments to innovate and adapt rapidly to stay competitive in an uncertain world.

Note: already today in North America, 40% of surveyed companies reported having adopted generative AI in at least one business function, compared to about 30% for surveyed European companies

Societal Shifts: A Departure from “Woke” Norms

Cultural shifts, including a backlash against “woke” ideologies in various regions, are redefining social and business dynamics. This environment fosters a renewed focus on pragmatism and measurable outcomes, which aligns with the adoption of practical, results-oriented technologies like IaaS.

Economic Pressures and Opportunities

Economic instability and recent inflation have created a push for efficiency that is driving businesses to rethink traditional models. IaaS offers a scalable, cost-effective solution, allowing companies to adapt to economic pressures while exploring new avenues for growth. Flexible pricing models and the ability to rapidly deploy AI tools lower barriers to entry for smaller organisations, democratizing access to transformative capabilities.

This convergence of geopolitical, societal, and economic factors creates a perfect storm for innovation, making IaaS not just a tool but a necessity for navigating an era of rapid, unprecedented change — leading to even faster adoption.

The Socioeconomic Backdrop: Abundance and Inequality

This new age of Intelligence as a Service brings with it a paradoxical reality: fostering both abundance and inequality at the same time. While these forces may seem contradictory, they are in fact two sides of the same coin.

The Promise of Abundance

At its core, AI is one of the most democratized technologies ever created. For just $20/month, anyone — from students to CEOs — has access to the same cutting-edge AI Assistants like (ChatGPT, Claude, etc.) and more money doesn’t get you a more powerful version. These models offer unprecedented capabilities to enhance workflows, boost creativity, and accelerate innovation. This accessibility drives abundance by enabling more people to produce more value, faster than ever before.

The Reality of Inequality

However, abundance doesn’t mean equality. The real benefits of AI hinge not just on access but on expertise. Knowing how to ask the right questions, craft effective prompts, and integrate AI into workflows makes all the difference. Yet, many users fall into the trap of believing they’ve mastered AI simply because they can generate text or summaries. This false sense of security creates a widening gap between those who use AI superficially and those who leverage it to transform their work.

At Mindstone, we see this gap every day and it’s widening with every technological advance. Teams experience instant 10–20% productivity increases with just some basic training, and the gap exists at all levels of technical understanding: from people in quantitative trading firms, to those involved in marketing.

A Self-Reinforcing Divide

The ease of access paradoxically exacerbates inequality. Those who invest in understanding AI’s nuances — experimenting with advanced workflows, iterating on prompts, and integrating AI assistants into decision-making — gain outsized advantages. Meanwhile, others remain on the sidelines, unaware of how much more they could achieve. This divide isn’t just technological; it’s a skills gap that deepens as AI adoption accelerates.

So where does all of this lead? What do we know and what are the likely outcomes? There are many uncertainties, but we can imagine a few scenarios.

A Look at Scenarios (Best-Case vs. Worst-Case)

Best Case: AI as a Catalyst for Progress

In the best-case scenario, AI augments human creativity and solves pressing global challenges. In healthcare, AI-powered tools improve diagnostics, streamline drug discovery, and alleviate clinician burnout, transforming patient care. Butterfly Network’s AI ultrasound device exemplifies this potential by providing life-saving diagnostics in resource-limited settings, enabling earlier detection of complications and improved treatment outcomes. Similarly, in education, AI personalizes learning experiences, bridging gaps in access and fostering essential skills like critical thinking and digital literacy. By ensuring equitable access through corporate-government partnerships and widespread training, AI becomes a democratizing force that empowers individuals and drives innovation across industries.

Worst Case: AI Amplifies Inequality and Risk

In the worst-case scenario, AI adoption exacerbates existing inequalities and creates new risks. Job displacement accelerates, with studies projecting up to 800 million jobs automated by 2030, leading to widespread unemployment and societal unrest. Biases in AI systems further deepen divisions, as seen in misclassifications in hiring algorithms or healthcare tools. Meanwhile, malicious uses of AI, such as deepfakes and autonomous weaponry, erode trust and security. Without ethical oversight or reskilling initiatives, AI creates a fragmented future where its potential is overshadowed by its dangers.

Likely Middle Path: A Complex Reality

The most probable future lies somewhere in between. AI adoption produces mixed outcomes, with successes in certain sectors offset by challenges in others. Businesses that invest in AI literacy and training see increased efficiency and innovation, while others struggle with integration and talent shortages. We already know of some examples, with Southeast Asia seeing a surge in AI adoption, driven by investments from companies like Alibaba Group and Huawei, yet simultaneously grappling with infrastructure and talent challenges. Similarly, while AI revolutionises education with adaptive learning tools, it is still based on a system that incentivises signalling over skill acquisition and tailors to timelines counted in years, not minutes. In healthcare, AI improves patient outcomes but raises privacy concerns. This middle path reflects a world adapting unevenly to AI’s transformative power, with both opportunities and risks shaping its trajectory.

Navigating the Future

The future of AI is not predetermined. By prioritizing equitable access, and widespread education, we can steer AI adoption toward a future that benefits humanity as a whole. The challenge lies in balancing innovation with responsibility, ensuring that AI empowers individuals and strengthens communities while addressing its inherent risks.

Recommendations to Prepare for the Age of Intelligence as a Service

The transformative potential of Intelligence as a Service (IaaS) brings immense opportunities, but realizing these requires action at all levels — individual, organizational, and societal. Here’s how we can collectively prepare for this new age.

Empowering Individuals: From Curiosity to Mastery

For individuals, the journey begins with curiosity. Tools like ChatGPT and NotebookLM make it easier than ever to explore AI’s capabilities. However, the true power of AI lies beyond surface-level usage. To harness IaaS effectively, you must commit to understanding how to integrate AI into their workflows.

Mastering advanced prompting techniques is just the start. More importantly, you need to rethink how you work. AI enables a shift from single-player productivity to multiplayer collaboration, where AI Assistants can facilitate deeper insights and faster decision-making. This requires not just skill but a growth mindset — embracing experimentation and continuous learning to stay ahead.

Equipping Businesses for the Future

For businesses, the adoption of IaaS is not optional — it’s a necessity. organisations must champion comprehensive AI training programs that go beyond technical skills. Teams should learn how to reimagine workflows, transitioning from isolated tasks to collaborative, AI-enhanced processes. Automation is interesting, but augmentation is the name of the game–and your people are your best asset. AI Competency needs to come before AI Transformation.

Note: it’s unfortunate that human resources seem to be the function seeing the largest potential of cost decreases

Moreover, businesses must prioritize (secure) access to AI platforms. Denying access to AI Assistants and tools may seem like a protective measure, but it simply drives employees to use insecure, personal accounts. Providing enterprise-grade solutions ensures both security and competitiveness. By fostering an environment where employees can experiment with AI responsibly, businesses can position themselves as leaders in this new era.

Note: if you think $20-$100/month per employee is a lot, it is if you compare it to other software costs. If you compare it to a minimum 10% productivity increase, however, it isn’t. And if you aren’t getting to that minimum 10% productivity increase, you have a training issue.

Guiding Governments: Balancing Innovation and Responsibility

Governments have a critical role in shaping the future of IaaS. Regulatory clarity is essential to address fears about data misuse while fostering an environment that encourages innovation. Clear guidelines on AI ethics, privacy, and usage can provide a framework for responsible adoption across industries without the need to slam the brakes.

Equally important is the investment in AI literacy and education. Public-private partnerships can play a pivotal role in upskilling the workforce, ensuring that the benefits of IaaS are accessible to all. Initiatives aimed at raising AI awareness among citizens can bridge the gap between technology and society, empowering individuals to make informed decisions about AI usage.

Make no mistake: AI innovation is the battleground for most economic growth over the next few years. By aligning efforts across individuals, businesses, and governments, we can navigate the challenges of AI adoption and unlock its transformative potential. The age of Intelligence as a Service is here. Preparing for it isn’t just an opportunity — it’s a necessity.

Data, References & Further Reading

Below are some targeted data points and resources designed to deepen your understanding of Intelligence as a Service (IaaS) and its transformative potential. It’s not an exhaustive list, the hope is that it provides you with a starting point to your own journey of discovery.

Key Statistics

  • ROI from AI Adoption: Generative AI yields an average ROI of $3.7 for every dollar spent, with leaders achieving up to 10X returns. Financial services and media sectors lead in AI implementation gains.
  • Global Adoption Rates: Over 80% of businesses worldwide integrate AI into operations, with the Asia-Pacific region showing the most significant growth in adoption.
  • Productivity Impact: Generative AI contributes 0.1–0.6% annual labor productivity growth through 2040, surpassing historical gains from PCs and the internet.
  • Cost Savings: AI is projected to save the U.S. healthcare industry up to $150 billion annually by automating administrative tasks.

Industry AI Adoption Rates (North America):

Tools & Platforms to Explore

These tools demonstrate IaaS applications across industries:

General Assistants:

  • ChatGPT: The best and most rounded AI Assistant on the market, with an ecosystem of tools around it that are geared to productivity
  • Claude: A more naturally intelligent assistant, able to reason more effectively and sound more human than the other AI Assistants

For Research and Insights:

  • Gemini DeepResearch: Generates actionable insights and detailed reports based on current data, combining the best of Google Search, with the best of AI Assistants.
  • Perplexity AI: For quick access to real-time data and natural language queries. It labels itself an “answer engineer” as opposed to Google’s “search engine”.
  • NotebookLM: A powerful tool to distil large quantities of information into a fully interactive podcast diving deep into the topics you are interested in.

For Creativity and Productivity:

  • Gamma: AI presentation creation, going from script to beautifully visualised PowerPoint in seconds
  • Midjourney: Create beautiful images based on simple descriptions
  • NapkinAI: Transform complex concepts, described in text, into clear visualisations to use in presentations or elsewhere

For Business Operations:

  • Zapier: Chain together multiple tools, into workflows able to achieve weeks of work in hours. Note: Zapier and other no-code tools have been around for a while, but using AI Assistants as “decision centres” unlocks entirely new workflows that were previously impossible
  • Replit AI Agent: Build entire apps from simple descriptions, in minutes.
  • Cursor: A more technical development environment, for software engineers wanting to leverage AI to build faster and better software.

Further Reading and Resources

For deeper exploration, consider these curated resources:

Reports and Studies:

  • McKinsey’s 2024 report on generative AI and its economic impacts.
  • UNESCO’s AI Literacy Campaign addressing the digital divide.
  • Mindstone’s “State of Generative AI Q3 2024” report

Case Studies:

  • Butterfly Network’s AI-driven healthcare advancements.
  • Coca-Cola’s AI-powered holiday advertisements showcasing creative applications.

Initiatives and Frameworks:

  • AI.gov’s Literacy Campaign for ethical AI education.
  • Mindstone’s AI Use Case Finder for tailored, industry-specific applications.

Conclusion: The Time to Prepare Is Now

The era of Intelligence as a Service (IaaS) has arrived, bringing with it unparalleled opportunities, as well as challenges. From enhancing creativity and decision-making to driving efficiency and innovation, IaaS is transforming how we live and work. By 2030, AI could automate the equivalent of 300 million full-time jobs. But its benefits will not be equally distributed without deliberate action — and studies show that occupations exposed to AI are already experiencing significantly higher productivity growth than those that aren’t.

To ensure IaaS drives progress for all, action is required at every level:

  • Individuals (You!): Train in practical AI usage and maintain a growth mindset.
  • Businesses: Avoid the false (security) trap of banning AI Assistants and upskill your teams.
  • Governments: Invest in education, and ensure equitable access.

The time to prepare is now. Those who adapt today — by learning, investing, and innovating — will define the trajectory of IaaS for decades to come. Intelligence as a Service is not just a tool; it is a catalyst for shaping a future of shared progress and opportunity. As ROI data from the report indicates, businesses investing in generative AI have already seen returns of $3.7 for every dollar spent, with leaders achieving even greater rewards. This is the future we must embrace.

The question is not whether IaaS will change the world — it already is. The real question is: what are you doing today that helps you stay ahead tomorrow?

Note: ideas of what you could do today include “commit 30mins/day to exploring how I can collaborate with AI” or “try 1 new tool every week, and see how I can make practical use of it”.


Mario Mucalo

Software developer | Developing software solutions. On time. Within budget. Every time. | Father, husband, drums, chess, basketball

1w

Banning AI is idiotic - it's here and it is an amazing tool! On the other hand, it's still only a tool, we need experts with deep understanding of the domain to run it and make the most of it.

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