Why AI Adoption Follows a Pattern You've Seen Before

More than 2 decades ago, one of my fave mentors suggested I start using Evernote as my "second brain".

Initially, I used the basic features but when I started pondering all of the more advanced features, I scaled back my usage instead.

A year or so later, I returned to Evernote and embraced many of the advanced features while also integrating them into a workflow that made sense.

Shortly after returning as a premium user I stumbled across an interview with the founder of Evernote. He shared a conversation with his board about the odd adoption and usage patterns of Evernote users starting, then leaving, then coming back a year later with a higher level of investment.

I will leave the sociological reasons why to someone smarter than I am, but I will say that the AI bandwagon has a similar vibe.

Initially, I couldn't wait to use AI to write some of my content.
I soon realized that, among other things, I was simply adding to the growing slop pile of AI-patterned drivel.
Since then, I started finding more right-sized uses of AI that fit my flow and the needs of my bespoke clients.

While everyone's journey is different, I see this 'AI integration' pattern across most domains, regardless of size or scope.

We can learn and project a couple of useful things from this pattern:

Many AI 'experts' (often self-proclaimed) on average have only a year or so more experience than someone or a company who is new to AI
The pendulum of AI adoption will (may?) eventually settle near the center. i.e. Not underutilized, but not over-hyped either
The industry will contract, refine, and plod ahead once it learns what hits and what misses (which will determine what gets funded or monetized).
The level of AI governance I warned about 6 months ago (which has now become a regular topic) stays a thing - those who ignore its importance will make the evening news - and not in a good way
Except in a few instances like robots that make eggs benedict or transactional work such as call centers, most AI will reside as a tireless adjunct to work already being done.

Methinks the last forecast is the most relevant to the most people.

Behind the curtain, most of AI simply represents a really smart and really capable intern. And because we are new to each other, there's an awkwardness, like we're at our first junior high dance.

My best advice for today?

Use AI for your benefit, including entertainment
Don't expect too much, and
Don't leave them the keys to your desk.

(Post by Mike / Image by AI)

The Evernote Effect: Why AI Adoption Follows a Pattern You’ve Seen Before