Sophia Olivas, AI Strategist

If you are still asking, 'Where do I start with AI,' you’re Already Behind. Don't panic—you're not out of the race yet. The truth is, AI isn't some futuristic technology that only the tech giants and PhDs can leverage. It's here, it's now, and if you don’t catch up, your competitors will leave you in the dust and you will miss out on capitalizing on leveraging it early.

First, Let’s Get Real About AI

Let's clear the air: AI isn't just about robots taking over the world or supercomputers outsmarting humans. It's a powerful tool that can streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and open up new avenues for innovation. Here's the kicker—most people think it's too complicated to even begin. Spoiler alert: it's not.

Step One: Forget What You Think You Know

The biggest mistake you can make is assuming you need to understand AI in its entirety before you start. Guess what? You don’t. AI is as much about experimenting and learning on the go as it is about algorithms and data. So, step one? Drop the mindset that you need to be an expert. You just need to be curious and to start, right where you are, with what you have.

Step Two: Start Small and Start Smart

When it comes to AI, the smartest move you can make is to start with the low-hanging fruit. What are the repetitive tasks that eat up your time? Begin by taking a close look at the tasks you’re doing manually—whether it’s daily, weekly, or even occasionally. These are your prime candidates for automation. Make a list of these tasks, no matter how small they seem. This list is where AI can make an immediate impact, freeing up your time and allowing you to focus on higher-value activities.

Once you've identified these tasks, it's time to leverage AI to handle them for you. For instance, if you're manually sending out routine emails, managing social media posts, or compiling reports, there are AI tools designed to automate these processes seamlessly. These small, manageable steps will not only save you time it will also build your confidence in using AI to tackle more complex challenges.

Keep going! AI can also be your strategic partner. Take everything you currently have—your business plan, marketing strategy, website, product copy, and even customer service scripts—and run them through AI. Ask it to review and improve on these materials. Be specific: tell the AI where you are now and where you want to go. Let it generate strategies and ideas that you might not have considered. Once you’ve got a plan, implement those AI-driven strategies to see tangible improvements.

Starting small and smart isn’t about taking baby steps—it’s about making sure each step is impactful. With AI, even the smallest changes can lead to significant gains.

Step Three: Focus on Problems, Not Technology

AI isn't about jumping on the latest tech bandwagon—it's about solving real problems. Where are the bottlenecks in your processes? What challenges are you facing? Identify these pain points and let AI do the heavy lifting. This way, you're not just using AI for the sake of it; you're using it where it matters most.

Step Four: Learn By Doing

The beauty of AI is that it learns as it goes, and so should you. Implement a small project, measure its success, tweak it, and iterate. The more you play around with AI, the more you’ll understand its potential and limitations. Don’t wait for a perfectly polished strategy—start now and refine as you go.

Step Five: Don’t Go It Alone

AI may seem intimidating. You don’t have to navigate this landscape alone. There are communities, courses, and consultants ready to help you along the way. Leverage these resources to fast-track your learning curve. Remember, even the AI pros were beginners once. In fact, you have access to the #1 FREE global university at your fingertips: YouTube. Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your understanding, YouTube is packed with tutorials, how-tos, and expert advice that can help you at every step of your AI journey.

Start by searching for exactly what you’re working on, using queries like "How do I [X] with AI?"—for example, "How do I automate email marketing with AI?" or "How do I use AI for data analysis?" You'll find a wealth of videos breaking down complex concepts into simple, actionable steps. These resources allow you to learn at your own pace and implement what you’ve learned immediately, whether it’s setting up an AI tool, automating a process, or even just understanding the basics. Caveat, due to the unbelievable speed of AI technology, make sure to filter videos and only recent watch videos that are less than 30 days old, if possible.

Don't just consume—engage. Many AI communities are thriving on YouTube, where you can ask questions, join discussions, and even connect with other professionals who are on the same path. The best part? It’s all free, and the more you explore, the more tailored your learning becomes.

So, when you hit a roadblock, remember that you’re not alone. You have access to a global network of AI enthusiasts and experts willing to share their knowledge. Leverage these resources to fast-track your learning curve and implement AI solutions with confidence. After all, even the AI pros were beginners once, and they didn’t get there by going it alone.

Step Six: Scale As You Grow

Once you've mastered the basics and seen the results, it's time to scale. This is where you move from simple automation to more advanced AI applications like predictive analytics, natural language processing, and machine learning. Again, do not rush it. Let your understanding grow organically as your business does.

AI isn’t an insurmountable mountain—it’s a set of tools waiting for you to use them. The only wrong move is standing still. So, if you are still asking where to start with AI, it’s time to stop asking and start doing. The future isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s up to you to decide how you’ll meet it.

If you are still asking, 'Where do I start with AI,' you’re Already Behind. Don't panic—you're not out of the race yet. The truth is, AI isn't some futuristic technology that only the tech giants and PhDs can leverage. It's here, it's now, and if you don’t catch up, your competitors will leave you in the dust and you will miss out on capitalizing on leveraging it early.

First, Let’s Get Real About AI

Let's clear the air: AI isn't just about robots taking over the world or supercomputers outsmarting humans. It's a powerful tool that can streamline operations, enhance customer experiences, and open up new avenues for innovation. Here's the kicker—most people think it's too complicated to even begin. Spoiler alert: it's not.

Step One: Forget What You Think You Know

The biggest mistake you can make is assuming you need to understand AI in its entirety before you start. Guess what? You don’t. AI is as much about experimenting and learning on the go as it is about algorithms and data. So, step one? Drop the mindset that you need to be an expert. You just need to be curious and to start, right where you are, with what you have.

Step Two: Start Small and Start Smart

When it comes to AI, the smartest move you can make is to start with the low-hanging fruit. What are the repetitive tasks that eat up your time? Begin by taking a close look at the tasks you’re doing manually—whether it’s daily, weekly, or even occasionally. These are your prime candidates for automation. Make a list of these tasks, no matter how small they seem. This list is where AI can make an immediate impact, freeing up your time and allowing you to focus on higher-value activities.

Once you've identified these tasks, it's time to leverage AI to handle them for you. For instance, if you're manually sending out routine emails, managing social media posts, or compiling reports, there are AI tools designed to automate these processes seamlessly. These small, manageable steps will not only save you time it will also build your confidence in using AI to tackle more complex challenges.

Keep going! AI can also be your strategic partner. Take everything you currently have—your business plan, marketing strategy, website, product copy, and even customer service scripts—and run them through AI. Ask it to review and improve on these materials. Be specific: tell the AI where you are now and where you want to go. Let it generate strategies and ideas that you might not have considered. Once you’ve got a plan, implement those AI-driven strategies to see tangible improvements.

Starting small and smart isn’t about taking baby steps—it’s about making sure each step is impactful. With AI, even the smallest changes can lead to significant gains.

Step Three: Focus on Problems, Not Technology

AI isn't about jumping on the latest tech bandwagon—it's about solving real problems. Where are the bottlenecks in your processes? What challenges are you facing? Identify these pain points and let AI do the heavy lifting. This way, you're not just using AI for the sake of it; you're using it where it matters most.

Step Four: Learn By Doing

The beauty of AI is that it learns as it goes, and so should you. Implement a small project, measure its success, tweak it, and iterate. The more you play around with AI, the more you’ll understand its potential and limitations. Don’t wait for a perfectly polished strategy—start now and refine as you go.

Step Five: Don’t Go It Alone

AI may seem intimidating. You don’t have to navigate this landscape alone. There are communities, courses, and consultants ready to help you along the way. Leverage these resources to fast-track your learning curve. Remember, even the AI pros were beginners once. In fact, you have access to the #1 FREE global university at your fingertips: YouTube. Whether you're just getting started or looking to deepen your understanding, YouTube is packed with tutorials, how-tos, and expert advice that can help you at every step of your AI journey.

Start by searching for exactly what you’re working on, using queries like "How do I [X] with AI?"—for example, "How do I automate email marketing with AI?" or "How do I use AI for data analysis?" You'll find a wealth of videos breaking down complex concepts into simple, actionable steps. These resources allow you to learn at your own pace and implement what you’ve learned immediately, whether it’s setting up an AI tool, automating a process, or even just understanding the basics. Caveat, due to the unbelievable speed of AI technology, make sure to filter videos and only recent watch videos that are less than 30 days old, if possible.

Don't just consume—engage. Many AI communities are thriving on YouTube, where you can ask questions, join discussions, and even connect with other professionals who are on the same path. The best part? It’s all free, and the more you explore, the more tailored your learning becomes.

So, when you hit a roadblock, remember that you’re not alone. You have access to a global network of AI enthusiasts and experts willing to share their knowledge. Leverage these resources to fast-track your learning curve and implement AI solutions with confidence. After all, even the AI pros were beginners once, and they didn’t get there by going it alone.

Step Six: Scale As You Grow

Once you've mastered the basics and seen the results, it's time to scale. This is where you move from simple automation to more advanced AI applications like predictive analytics, natural language processing, and machine learning. Again, do not rush it. Let your understanding grow organically as your business does.

AI isn’t an insurmountable mountain—it’s a set of tools waiting for you to use them. The only wrong move is standing still. So, if you are still asking where to start with AI, it’s time to stop asking and start doing. The future isn’t coming—it’s already here, and it’s up to you to decide how you’ll meet it.