The Rise of Generation AI: Will You Lead the Charge?

We’re living in a moment where the tools we have at our fingertips are evolving faster than we can even wrap our heads around. It took Instagram two and a half months to hit a million users, but ChatGPT? It hit that milestone in just five days. I’m not bringing this up to hype AI. I’m saying this because it’s real, and it’s happening now.

The way I see it, AI isn’t here to take jobs, but the people who know how to use it? They’re going to be the ones who push forward, leapfrogging those who haven’t caught on yet. I’m seeing this play out every day. Whether it’s in workshops, roundtables, or even just casual chats with friends and colleagues, people are waking up to how AI can fit into their world.

Let me give you an example. I was talking to an arborist recently—someone whose entire career revolves around trees—and we figured out how AI could help him estimate the age of trees. He’d been doing it manually, and AI opened the door to a faster, more accurate process. We’re not talking some abstract, high-tech future. This is happening right now. He took something AI could do and fit it into his workflow to solve a real problem.

And that’s the thing. AI isn’t just for developers or tech-savvy folks. I’ve seen students building quiz bots to help with their studies, mechanics diagnosing car problems on the fly, and entrepreneurs using AI to streamline tasks they didn’t even realize could be automated.

Here’s the bottom line: If I were starting a company today, one of the top things I’d look for in new hires is a basic understanding of how to use AI. It’s not about being an expert coder. It’s about seeing AI for what it is—a tool that can speed up your workflow, solve problems, and help you stay ahead. Knowing how to use AI is going to be a competitive advantage, and those who figure that out now are the ones who are going to stand out.

The crazy thing is, it doesn’t take much. Sometimes all it takes is showing someone how AI can fit into what they’re already doing. Once they see how it can help them, the lightbulb goes off. They get creative. They start asking questions and thinking, “What else can I do with this?”

We’re all in a race here, whether we realize it or not. If you’re not learning how to use AI, you’re already behind. But the good news? The tools are here, and they’re available to anyone who’s willing to learn. It’s time to start asking yourself: Are you Next Gen AI ready?

About the Author

Brian Kaminsky is an IT support specialist and AI consultant who helps business leaders harness the power of AI to stay ahead, make smarter decisions, and keep ethics and human-centered values at the core. With years of hands-on experience and guidance from trusted mentors, Brian is passionate about blending technology with the human touch—because true leadership is about more than just tech; it’s about people.