The last few years have been a rollercoaster ride for the tech sector and the wider world as AI has stolen headlines, captured public investment, and developed at a rapid pace.
Because of its prominence, AI has also become a huge area for thought leadership.
The media has been crying out for experts who can explain how the technology might impact various sectors and, ultimately, forever change how we all work and live.
That said, some argue AI has already peaked. Headlines suggest that everything about AI that could be said has been while many critics believe the billion-dollar bubble may be about to burst.
In this article, we'll address these concerns, explain why thought leadership is still important, and explore five top tips to help executives set themselves apart.
AI has quickly become the hardest sector to perform well in. There are almost 60,000 AI firms worldwide, and of new AI projects, 85% fail.
This isn’t to say that AI firms aren’t robustly funded. They are.
The problem is that public trust and uptake of the technology is still relatively low.
Yet, many leaders are still making a huge mistake by not investing in thought leadership.
While firms like Anthropic and Open-AI are thriving, many other AI firms are quickly being forgotten about despite their huge potential.
By investing in thought leadership, AI leaders will not only make a name from themselves and stand apart from their competitors but instil confidence in the wider sector.
Reputational damage occurring from mistakes and failures would be minimised.
Solutions to the industry's most prominent issues would be discovered much faster.
Niche AI firms would have a fighting chance, and VC investment wouldn't be wasted.
Once executives become thought leaders, they must take appropriate steps to address the AI myths that dominate public conversation.
AI, machine learning, and deep learning are the same thing.
AI is a waste of money.
AI will take our jobs.
AI will become indistinguishable from real people.
The list goes on.
If these misunderstandings persist, people will continue to oppose AI, talent will be discouraged from promising careers, and misguided policymakers will forever hamper innovation.
This is why AI leaders must make a concerted effort to dispel these myths and set the record straight by leading the media narrative to build trust and credibility.
AI experts tend to use complex terms as they elaborate on how their business is pushing boundaries.
But while many industry insiders might know what an Artificial Neural Network is, general audiences will not.
Sadly, this continues to remain a barrier to audience acceptance. Without bringing the public onto the same page, the industry won't excel at the rate it needs to enact significant change in the world.
Make sure that when addressing audiences you explain how your business uses AI, your ambitions, and relevance within the wider sector in the most simplest way possible.
You should only feel free to get really technical when you attend a tech conference, speak on a podcast, or contribute to a trade publication.
If you've done a good job, audiences should be able to summarise your ideas or business in a singular sentence.
Regulation continues to dominate headlines because of lingering public concerns. However, it also provides a great avenue to offer commentary to the financial, political, health press, and more.
The public want leaders who can put their concerns put to bed, so it's imperative to capitalise on the opportunity.
Moreover, by outlining how your business complies with regulations, you can improve how customers, investors, and potential partners perceive your company and position it as a leading innovator in your field.
Even executives specialising within ultra-competitive industries like media and entertainment can benefit by addressing the issue of deep fakes and industry ethics that drive controversy in the sector.
In years’ time, once AI has become more widely accepted, people will look back on the thought leaders who instilled public confidence and trust. This could be you.
The last time we had a huge technological shift like AI was when both social media and the smartphone burst onto the scene.
Since then, names like Mark Zuckerberg and Steve Jobs have become synonymous with the era. Now, ask yourself, could you become the face of AI?
For instance, Sam Altman, co-founder of Open AI, has demonstrated exceptional leadership in shaping the future of AI and has become highly likable. But there's still plenty of room for more industry voices.
Often discussing how you founded your start-up and what motivates you to make a difference can give deeper insight into who your are as a person, helping audiences resonate with you, while injecting personality into what is often perceived an alien industry.
All that’s needed is a consistent thought leadership strategy that encompasses various channels, such as social media, multimedia content, and traditional media coverage to build a strong profile over time.