Everyone Wants AI

LinkedIn has become an Instagram of AI influencers lately. From posts to profiles (both companies and individuals), AI is everywhere. A lot of rebranding, content overhaul, and repositioning skillset & experience is at play to project expertise in AI, at all levels. The question is: Why?

On the surface, one of the primary drivers is – fear. AI (specifically LLM) has far outpaced even wild expectations and projections. It writes code, draws pictures, and talks empathetically in ways a few could imagine a couple years back. Exciting as it is, it also invariably fuels the worry of replacing humans with AI agents. Therefore, the first instinct for many (individuals and companies) is to jump on the AI bandwagon; learn as much as you can, recut profiles to make it an ‘AI first’, devour whatever you can about LLM, talk about every tiny improvement in LLM performance parameters etc.

If you get past this superficial motivation though, there seems to be deeper reason, rooted in philosophy. Rene Girard’s idea of mimetic desire explains that we imitate not just behavior, but desire itself. As Peter Thiel put it: People do not want what you have; people want what you want.

This has profound implications. It means a lot of us are rushing into AI not out of genuine interest, but because everyone else is. That’s why it’s important to pause, reflect, and approach AI with intention.

Here are three reflections to help you cut through the noise:

• Start with Business: What business problem, industry vertical, or solution space you know the best. Identify it first, and then think how AI can fundamentally transform it.
• Own a Niche: If you apply business lens to using AI, you’ll define a ‘non-obvious space’ for your business or yourself, where you won’t have to compete with others. Your work in this space will be driven by your motivation to make the proverbial world better, and not out of fear or desire to get into AI for its sake only.
• Be Authentic: Build your content strategy and voice around that unique space, not mimicking the AI chatter of other brands & personas. Soon there will be a community following you for unique thoughts and approach to AI in an area of focus of your own choosing.

In a world chasing the AI wave, your clarity and authenticity could be your unfair advantage.

Original Post https://akhan.me/everyone-wants-ai/