Quick Answer
For search, voice, and "just tell me what to do".
Adopt an AI-First approach: Automate a process with AI *before* you ever consider hiring a human. Humans should only be hired to manage systems or do high-level creative/relational work that AI cannot yet touch. This keeps your business lean, scalable, and robust.
Key Takeaways:
- AI should be your first hire, not your last.
- Scaling with people adds complexity; scaling with AI adds leverage.
- Automate first, delegate second.
- Build businesses that don't break when they grow.
- Redefine 'Team Size' to include your digital workforce.
Playbook
Map every process in your business.
Attempt to automate each process with AI first.
If AI fails, simplify the process and try again.
Only hire a human when complexity or nuance demands it.
Train your human hires to be 'AI Managers' first.
Common Pitfalls
- Hiring for problems that could be solved by better systems.
- Assuming 'people' are the only way to scale.
- Creating a culture where humans fear AI instead of using it.
- Ignoring the maintenance cost of AI systems.
Metrics to Track
Revenue per employee (aim for much higher than industry avg).
Ratio of automated vs. manual processes.
Fixed cost margin.
Speed of scaling (new users/clients per month).
FAQ
Doesn't this mean fewer jobs for people?
It means different jobs. It shifts human work from repetitive execution to supervisory, strategic, and deeply creative or relational roles.
Is an AI-first business fragile?
Actually, it's often more anti-fragile. Software doesn't get sick, distracted, or burned out. But it does require monitoring and maintenance.
Related Reading
Next: browse the hub or explore AI Operations.