The fun, but scary, facts about it all
Artificial intelligence (AI) is no longer a future concept — it is actively shaping how businesses operate today. That was the focus of the latest Gwinnett Chamber On Topic, presented by Porter Steel, where leaders explored the real return on investment of AI in business.
One theme was clear: the pace of change is accelerating. AI capabilities are now doubling roughly every seven months, far outpacing traditional technology cycles. For leaders, that means shorter timelines to evaluate and act.
Dave McMullen framed AI not as a one-time implementation, but as a process of continuous improvement—what he described as recursive improvement. Organizations seeing results are those that consistently test and refine how they use it. In that context, AI is shifting from a tool to more of a teammate—moving businesses from simply buying software to effectively “hiring” it.
The panel outlined a practical path to adoption. Matt McKenzie, CEO of Meaningful AI, described the “gears of AI” as experimentation, efficiency, and transformation—progressing from testing tools to integrating them into core business functions. Use cases included inventory management, CRM systems, and tailored, business-specific solutions.
Andy Hoyt, Chief Technology Officer at Aderant, emphasized that success depends on people as much as technology. By investing in team-wide AI adoption, organizations can move beyond isolated use and drive meaningful, system-wide impact.
From a data perspective, Winnie Shen of Zeta Global highlighted how AI is being used to “democratize intelligence,” turning large-scale data into actionable insights that help businesses better understand and retain customers.
The takeaway was straightforward: AI is already delivering value, and organizations that act with intention will lead. Yet, even with clear frameworks and real-world applications, one reality remained. The speed, scale, and possibilities of AI left leaders with a shared understanding—this technology is powerful, evolving quickly, and not without uncertainty. As an audience member simply put it, “AI: it’s scary, but fun!”
