Distinguishing between the AI hype and AI reality isn't straightforward. Understanding what will actually have a real-world impact and deliver ROI comes with practical experience or leveraging others with the knowledge and expertise. This is what I learnt.

I was thinking about how we moved from the AI "hype" to AI permeating almost all of our day-to-day lives. Whether for business or personal use, it seems here to stay and expand. My conversations on AI a year or two ago were mostly speculative. Today, AI shows up in nearly every conversation, ranging from solutions and tools to influencing strategic decisions.

“If you can’t do it faster, I’ll get someone who will.” I’ve heard versions of this more than once over the past 10–15 years. Not always said this bluntly. Often implied. Sometimes wrapped in urgency, sometimes framed as innovation, sometimes positioned as necessity.

The start of the year demands focused attention. A few years ago, as the year kicked off, I made a series of decisions after careful consideration that all felt right at the time. I found myself saying “yes” to extra work, to reasonable requests, to opportunities that made sense in isolation. That experience changed how I approach the start of a year. I now pay closer attention to the pressure points that don’t appear obvious early on.