Human Stupidity versus Artificial Intelligence

Human Stupidity versus Artificial Intelligence

A common issue for founders is that the one track single mindedness that makes founders the most committed person in the room, also makes us susceptible to becoming the most blissfully unaware of what is evolving around us.  The evangelistic nature is essential to establishing the vision, to compel likeminded and necessarily skilled visionaries to join the crusade to fulfil the promise.  Having done so, the some may say apostles will travel yonder collecting acolytes and a tribe is born.   The burden can now be shared, and new valuable perspective and important input are abundant.  Maybe even a sensible tilt, shift, pivot or change of direction is on a future horizon.   However, trust is a difficult gift to give away, but it is a treasure every founder needs to learn to share because once shared, it’s value will appreciate.  My Precious must become Our Precious because you know what happens next if you don’t.

Founders all too frequently attack the mountain to their North Star with zealot like vigour.  Firm in the belief that we can get there in one giant leap.   Fuelled typically when validation arrives in the investment chest.   The new oversize office is leased, the cool furniture and the toys are bought and feng shui’d just so, and the blinkers necessary to not see the wood for the trees are purchased.  The festive season party(ies) certainly ramp up a notch or two.  The ‘made it’ myth firmly kicks in. 

Not for long.  The myth that it is, it dissolves and the miraculously appeared money disappears with it, revealing a new stark reality.  The ripple effect is the new kicker.  From the shareholders gantry, the converted are wobbling. “How the f**k did that happen? It was all going to plan… Wasn’t it?  Let’s get someone else in quick to work it out.”  – and spend more of the dwindling pot.   No doubt the new guru will appear all sparkling with all the miraculous analytical skills, maybe even some Ai data magic that will solve the mystery.   That easy?  Really?

Maybe before applying the not so big data analytic science or maybe looking for a new type of mercy and salvation through Ai, consider the science of common sense as a first step.   A suitably qualified guest* speaking about human behaviour on that famous podcast that does not need plugging, said he was “more interested in human stupidity than artificial intelligence.”   Made me smile, then I read, technologist, Dan Yarmoluk putting it a little more bluntly, “Don’t fear Ai, fear human stupidity.” Made me nod, a lot and then smile even more.

Some clarity required here.  In no way am I dissing Ai that is changing our world, and mostly for the better.  Far from it, I embrace it wholly.  Nor am I dissing seeking professional advice, after all we offer it to founders and early stage business.  No, my point is that sometimes the answers are pretty obvious and before we make more easy mistakes, spend even more money unwisely, we need to not ignore the obvious.  1+1=2, no matter how clever you are.   If you are spending more than you are making, it does not take a genius to work out the core of the issue.  

My point is.  At least start there.  As a founder of companies, I have stood there – happy and sad.  So, without wanting to state the obvious, but will because so many of us avoid the obvious looking for something bigger, more complex, more someone else’s fault.  Before spending money on that guru, do the 1+1 yourself.  The answer is probably there, not always the answer you are looking for, hoping for even.  But knowing is half the battle.  The second half is going to be more difficult.  The second half is where we founders show our true conviction and commitment to the cause and the community we have created and led to this point.  It is the half where you have to make the tough decisions on the simple questions.   Can we cut costs?  Can we increase pricing and/or sales?  Can and should we pivot?  And so on.  The decisions that only you and your trusted circle should be making, not procrastinating waiting so long that they are made for you.   Going backwards is not necessarily a negative, indeed I believe it is a  term to be avoided.  Inertia is the crime.  If you are standing still you are in the danger zone. If you are in motion then you are capable of learning, adapting, and adopting.   And yes, it may now be that time external support, advice, help is vital.  But at least you now know what type of medicine you need and so what doctor is required.  Not the guru that’s for sure.

Sadly, this self-introspection and honest appraisal of the business may also be catalyst for the biggest and bravest decision of all.  It is not a failure to not succeed, it is a failure to not recognise that you are not going to succeed, this time.  Sometimes we just have to accept that the wall we keep walking into does not have a door and simply cannot be climbed.  If you can’t climb it, you can’t scale it, no matter how hard you try.

Which is why, as soon as possible, we need to morph from the single evangelist to evangelical.  Recognise, the mountain you insist on climbing is so much easier if you attack it one hill at a time.  The grass is not always greener, but often reaching the top of the hill presents a new view, a new perspective.  A moment to pause, take a breath, and take in that view.  The mountain is still ahead of you, but maybe you have found a better path.   Hill number one – the build that team.   Hill number two – trust that team.  Go from there – ups and downs – such is the nature of hills.

No religious connotations or offence was or is intended, but from personal experience, a founders way can be a somewhat biblical journey.   Please forgive the poetic licence.

Give me a shout, even if it is literally just to shout.   Always available for a chat and certainly love an argument, or let’s say fierce debate.   Mostly always happy to share, and definitely always hungry to learn.

·       Apologies to the ‘suitably qualified guest’ (who may in fact be a scientist) for the cop out ‘can’t remember your name’ moment and so could not remember the specific episode to find it.  And yes, for being too lazy, which I am going claim as code for time starved to seek. I am reasonably confident anyone interested (and they should be) can and will find it.