John Gargiulo

Collaboration specific to AI, new tools, new bugs, new ideas etc. is a big thing especially in the early days. I imagine you're on Slack or (!!) Teams, so I'd start there. We've set up specific channels to discuss specific AI work we're doing and things we're seeing. Staying in close contact, especially in a space where there are new APIs, programming languages and workarounds coming out daily is huge.

There are a bunch of startups essentially building automated SDRs. If you're looking to scale the earliest parts of your sales funnel with AI I'd start there. One to check out is oneshot.ai but there are a ton. A good resource for all the new ones popping up is the Ben's Bites daily newsletter. He's ex-Zapier and puts out every useful new AI product, every day. Good luck!

The good news is, AI *should* be influencing your decisions, in nearly any leadership role, as it's about to change everything. I was just listening to a podcast interview with Sam Schillace, Deputy CTO of Microsoft who founded Writely that became Google Docs back in the day. He said when he saw GPT-4 start to really work he realized this is V2 of the computer industry write large. As big or bigger as the shift to the cloud. If you want to skate to where the puck is going as a leader, absolutely picture where things will be in two years and build for that! Have no fear!

I've found the best places to meet people living AI and learn about the latest papers and developments is Discord. The OpenAI channel, the Midjourney channel, and lots more indie ones. Everyone here is building, learning, and helping each other. Don't be shy about reaching out and DM'ing someone who you feel is doing interesting work with a question or to set up a call. I've done it many times and have learned a ton. Just today I had a call with am engineer I met this way through Discord 6mo ago. He built a tool on his own that he realized could be very helpful for what we're building to automate video ads and reached out. Karma!

If this happens, don't worry about it! It is I'm sure extremely common. AI hype is so loud, there is already a backlash and suspicion of it, especially by folks who have been around a long time and seen fads come and go. This is not a fad. But instead of making your boss feel like they're out of touch or arguing, SHOW them the value your AI project can bring. Put yourself in their shoes - what do they care about? How will what you're doing in AI affect those things? That mindset will go a long way.

The easiest way to move into the AI world isn't to leap into a different career, it's to bring AI to the one you already have. It's like the internet surge in the 90s. If you worked at a company and in a career where you weren't involving it, just getting literate and incorporating it was a huge edge. From there you can shift into something that leans into it even harder. Good luck!