Is AI just another fad like Beanie Babies, Fidget Spinners, or NFTs? It's a fair question — and most small business owners are getting the answer wrong.

In this episode, I'll walk through a simple three-part test for separating real shifts from hype: whether something reduces cost, increases speed, and increases access. I'll show you why AI passes all three, why the messy early stage doesn't mean it's fake, and why the dot-com era is the closest parallel we have — the internet wasn't a fad, but plenty of early websites were.

This is part of the AI for Small Business miniseries — a run of episodes on what AI actually changes for small business owners, what's worth using, and what's a waste of time.

After 15+ years helping small businesses get more visible, I've watched plenty of "revolutionary" tools come and go. This one's different, and the framework in this episode is how I decide where to pay attention and where to let the hype pass.

CHAPTERS:

0:00 Is AI just another fad?

0:32 Why the early chaos makes people doubt it

1:55 The three-part test: fad vs. real shift

2:33 Does AI reduce cost?

3:05 Does AI increase speed?

3:32 Does AI increase access?

4:15 The dot-com parallel

5:17 What this means for small business owners

5:57 What's actually worth using AI for

ABOUT SMALL BUSINESS BIG VISIBILITY:

A podcast for small business owners who want practical, real-world strategies to grow without burnout. Hosted by Jason McKenzie — founder of Boise Web and a 15+ year veteran helping small businesses become more visible, more profitable, and more sustainable.

Episode 392

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