(Photo by Jørgen Håland on Unsplash)

Are you an AI copycat? You probably are. But you shouldn't be.

Many businesses think the fastest path to an AI transformation is to simply copy what someone else is doing.

Hastily launching copycat projects will create the illusion of progress, sure. But that's all it is – an illusion.

You're better off going your own way. Here are four reasons why:

1/ Your competition is lost on their AI journey.

They're just one more company rushing to "do AI." They look like they're moving, but they're actually going in circles. Or possibly over a cliff. Why are you so eager to follow?

2/ Their PR only tells half the story.

Of course that flashy press release makes their AI look good! That's the point of a press release!

Notice how they don't talk about the lurking problems ... the difficulties in starting or maintaining a project … the risk exposures that will crop up on them later ... the fact that their customers aren't impressed with what they've built ... The list goes on and on.

If you copy them, you'll wind up with the same problems. Just a few months later.

Which brings me to my next point:

3/ Copying your competition means having to wait for your competition.

In the event they actually know what they're doing, you give them a huge first-mover advantage if you sit by waiting for them to succeed before you make your first moves.

Do you really want to try playing catch-up after the fact?

4/ They're not you.

Even a close competitor in the same market is running a different business, with different systems and different internal challenges. Their AI projects might fit their business but they probably won't fit yours.

In short, you need to carve your own path for your AI transformation. That's your best bet for the long-term.

So how do you get there?

Simple:

Talk with a pro. Sit down with someone who can learn about your business and find use cases specific to your needs, opportunities, and challenges.

That pro doesn't have to be me. But it could be! Reach out to see how I can get your AI transformation moving (or, if need be, back on track).