And I’m not alone. Even industry giants McKinsey & Company have acknowledged that AI poses an "existential threat" to its traditional consulting model, resulting in the integration of around 12,000 AI agents (a computer programme or system that can perform tasks, make decisions, and learn from its environment without constant human control) to assist consultants in tasks like data analysis and presentation creation.

So what does it mean for us human-centric founders?

The AI “storm” and why we shouldn’t be afraid

AI isn’t new. We’ve been using it for years – automating tasks, analysing data, and enhancing customer experiences. What’s different now is the scale, speed, and widespread expectation that every successful business needs to be AI-driven. It’s impossible to open a business publication without AI making the headlines. For those of us who’ve built businesses based on human connection, this can feel intimidating.

But here is where we can stop and pause for thought. The AI landscape is still evolving. Is there truly an immediate need to join the rush? Could time spent assessing how AI can genuinely add value to your business be time that will protect you in the long run?

So where can AI really add value to your business?

The joy of AI is undoubtably efficiency. The ability to process vast amounts of data quickly is revolutionary. But is that alone going to assist in truly understanding your customers’ needs, your culture, or your values? Yes, AI can provide efficiency, but if it’s not aligned with your values and knowledge, it could just end up amplifying the wrong things. Amplifying the mistakes, giving a megaphone to a message you’re just not sure about.

It's when aligned with a strong, human-centred approach, that AI is magic. It magnifies what we’re already doing well. It builds efficiencies, grows cost savings, and highlights the best aspects of our businesses. But only when we have a solid foundation to work from.

At sparemytime, AI isn’t a threat – it’s a tool for growth

At sparemytime, we've spent years building a business that is worth scaling. We know who we are, what we stand for, and what sets us apart. AI isn't a threat to that; it's a tool that helps us do more of it, faster. It streamlines our processes, helps us analyse data more efficiently and more accurately, and allows us to understand how we can help our customers in ways that were impossible before.

But for us, AI isn't just about speed – it's about quality. Not every client wants to race forward at full speed. Most value a steady, deliberate pace focused on value, trust, familiarity, and knowledge. That's where we excel. And that’s where AI hasn’t replaced human connection, it’s enhanced it. The right tools are amplifying the impact we were already making because we know our end goal and what matters most.

Adopting AI on our terms

So, am I scared of AI? No. Are we embracing it? Yes, but on our terms. We're continuing to incorporate AI to make our operations streamline smarter and to deliver increased value to our clients. For us it’s about experimenting with what works – for our business, for our clients and for us, as humans. It’s acknowledging that not every new trend or software will work. It’s about tweaking, and learning, and improving. But that’s the joy of being a startup.  We get to choose, at speed – we have the privilege to work without the red tape of larger businesses.

In summary

If you're a founder feeling uncertain about AI, don't panic. It doesn’t have to be an existential threat. It can simply be another tool in your portfolio. When used wisely, it will complement the value you're already offering and help you scale with efficiency.

Absolutely, we are living in revolutionary times, but I feel certain the most successful businesses aren't the ones chasing the latest technology – they're the ones using the best tools to amplify what they were already doing well.

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