The AI Revolution's Awkward Teenage Years

I remember the exact moment ChatGPT launched.

I'm, by any definition, a content creator.

So, the idea that a software system—we now refer to them as LLMs or "Large Language Models"—could somehow connect words together in an interesting and contextual framework blew me away.

Like many of us, I watched in awe those first few weeks as this new AI assistant transformed how we approach everything from writing to coding. The possibilities seemed endless, and the future had arrived.

Two years later, consider this fascinating paradox: We have a tool that's simultaneously experiencing explosive growth and surprising resistance at the same time.

One benefit of being older is having a frame of reference for past events in time.

We've seen AOL.com, Facebook, Google, and even eBay - but in my retrospective review, nothing has created more of an adoption divide than ChatGPT.

Even my 91-year-old mother is a regular user of "The Facebook."

So, what is different about ChatGPT?

Let's take a closer look.

The Numbers Tell a Story

ChatGPT's growth has been nothing short of remarkable. It went from zero to 200 million weekly users in just two years, doubling its user base from 100 million in the past year alone.

When you stop to think about it, that's staggering.

For context, that's 274,000 people per day signing up for the platform.

But here's where it gets interesting.

The Corporate Disconnect

While millions of individuals embrace this technology, corporate America is still dragging its feet.

The statistics paint a very sobering picture: only 4% of workers use AI tools like ChatGPT daily in their jobs, and a whopping 67% have never used them professionally at all.

The numbers create a clear picture of a generational shift in leadership.

I've watched junior executives embrace AI with an enthusiasm that would shock their predecessors.

A recent Google Workspace study reveals that an overwhelming 82% of emerging leaders are already leveraging AI in their daily work routines.

Many are using their own personal accounts because AI tools are not being provided by their company, defying the rules of their bosses.

But what's truly fascinating isn't just the adoption rate—it's the depth of integration. These young leaders aren't just dipping their toes into AI; they're diving in headfirst, with the vast majority using multiple AI tools every week to tackle everything from daunting projects to routine management tasks.

When nearly 9 out of 10 junior leaders believe AI can make them better managers, we're not just seeing a trend—we're witnessing a fundamental shift in how the next generation of business leaders approaches their work.

The old guard might call it disruption, but these junior leaders? They just call it Tuesday.

This isn't just a missed opportunity—it's a glimpse into how slowly large organizations adapt to transformative technology.

I've heard just about every excuse.

• "We are waiting to see what happens."
• "Hallucinations."
• "It is just another Facebook and a way to goof off at work."
• "Is my data safe?"
• "We don't have time to learn another tool right now."
• "Our current systems work just fine."
• "It's probably just a passing trend."
• "The cost isn't justified for what we'd use it for."

It also raises some fundamental questions of how quickly you can become irrelevant.

Back to the benefit of my gray hair - the concept of experience and wisdom has always been a hedge on staying relevant.

But that only goes so far. As data evaluation efficiency increases and AI-assisted strategy is enabled, any experience we old-timers bring will be eroded.

Some advice: this isn't a technology you can wait to adopt later. It just moves too fast.

The New AI Landscape

The past year has also seen an explosion of competitors.

Google's Gemini, Anthropic's Claude (now backed by Amazon's $4 billion investment), Meta's Llama, and Microsoft's Copilot are all vying for market share.

Even Apple, traditionally cautious with new technology, is integrating ChatGPT into its ecosystem.

But the big thing to look out for in 2025 is the connection of AI to automation tools and flows. It will be this integration into automated daily tasks that will further drive mainstream adoption.

"Search the internet for flights from Austin to Boise and find me the best deal with the fewest connections and where I might can use my American Express points. Create a reservation in the system that I can review."

One additional key development to watch in the coming year will be how emerging multimodal AI models might bridge the gap between narrow AI and more generalized intelligence, potentially offering new insights into the path toward Artificial Generative Intelligence, or AGI.

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is a hypothetical AI system that can understand, learn, and apply knowledge across any task that a human can perform.

This will also usher in a more extensive discussion on AI safety.

The Lex Fridman interview with Dario Amodei is well worth watching for a comprehensive review of the goals of AI safety, which should satisfy even the harshest critics.

Looking Ahead

This next year will be crucial.

As more companies develop clear AI policies and security measures, we'll likely see adoption speed up. But the question remains: how many opportunities are being missed right now by companies waiting on the sidelines?

The future belongs to those who adapt. And right now, that adaptation is happening more slowly than the technology deserves.

The revolution is here. The only question is whether your organization will lead or follow.

Are you ready to embrace the change?

Because two years in, it's clear: This isn't just another tech trend. It's a fundamental shift in how we work, create, and think.

And the candle is burning.