2 weeks Ago
Jehan Hamedi, Founder and CEO of Vizit , is an award-winning AI entrepreneur harnessing AI to predict the effectiveness of content. For decades, businesses have adapted to waves of technological innovation. The digital revolution reshaped entire industries, with companies like Amazon, Netflix and Google proving that those who embraced digital-first strategies could dominate their markets.
Now, an even more profound transformation is underway. The rise of AI-first companies is not just another phase of digital transformation—it is a fundamental shift in the way businesses operate, compete and grow. Unlike digital-first companies that leveraged technology to improve traditional processes, AI-first companies are structured around machine intelligence.
They don’t just use AI to enhance efficiency; they use it to redefine what efficiency, decision-making and scale even mean. This AI transformation is already here. And those who fail to recognize it will be left behind.
Most businesses today are AI-aware. They incorporate AI-powered tools to automate tasks, analyze data or enhance customer interactions. But this is not enough.
An AI-first company is built around AI from the ground up. It rethinks its entire operational model, replacing traditional workflows with AI-powered decision-making and execution. Where traditional businesses use AI as a tool, AI-first companies treat it as the foundation.
• Decision-Making: AI-first companies rely on machine intelligence to process vast amounts of data and generate insights that guide strategy in real time. • Workforce Structure: Instead of scaling through hiring, they scale through AI-driven automation, allowing existing employees to focus on strategic and creative tasks that drive growth. • Business Agility: AI allows these companies to move faster than their competitors, adapting to market shifts and consumer behavior in ways traditional businesses cannot.
This shift is not limited to a single industry. From e-commerce and finance to healthcare and manufacturing, AI-first models are rewriting the rules of competition. The impact of AI-first thinking is already visible in some of the most disruptive companies today.
• OpenAI has set the benchmark for AI-native business models, creating products like ChatGPT that redefine how businesses and consumers interact with technology. • MidJourney and ElevenLabs have revolutionized creative industries, using AI to generate images and voiceovers at scale, eliminating many traditional production bottlenecks. • Amazon has moved beyond e-commerce, embedding AI deeply into logistics, personalization and advertising, reinforcing its dominance across multiple sectors.
These companies aren’t simply adopting AI; they are defining the AI economy. Many companies still see AI as a tool for automation—something to increase efficiency or reduce operational costs. But this mindset fails to grasp the real power of AI-first models.
AI is not about optimization; it is about reinvention. Traditional companies rely on human intuition for decision-making. AI-first companies use machine learning to anticipate market trends, consumer behavior and operational efficiencies at a scale no human team can match.
Traditional companies improve existing processes. AI-first companies create entirely new business models that would be impossible without AI. When companies fail to embrace AI-first thinking, they risk falling behind in ways that cannot be recovered.
The fate of Blockbuster, Kodak and Nokia serves as a warning—those who underestimate technological shifts do not get second chances. For companies still operating under traditional frameworks, the shift to AI-first thinking is not just an opportunity but a necessity. This transition requires fundamental changes in leadership, culture and operations: 1.
Shift To AI-Driven Decision-Making: Traditional decision-making processes, based on intuition, past experience or slow-moving analytics, are no longer viable. AI-first companies let AI guide decisions in real time, leveraging vast datasets to optimize outcomes. 2.
Replace Manual Workflows With AI-Driven Automation: Many businesses still rely on manual workflows, even for tasks that AI could handle more effectively. AI-first companies eliminate these inefficiencies by integrating AI into core business functions. 3.
Build An AI-Native Culture: Becoming AI-first requires a cultural transformation. Every level of the organization must embrace AI as a strategic priority. Leaders must be fluent in AI strategy and its implications.
Employees must be trained to work alongside AI, understanding its capabilities and limitations. AI must be embedded into every decision-making process, not just siloed within IT or marketing departments. I believe that businesses that fail to adapt to this new model will not just struggle; they will become obsolete.
Furthermore, I believe that companies that treat AI as a tool rather than a fundamental strategy will lose to AI-first competitors. Executives who see AI as an IT function rather than a company-wide transformation will miss the biggest opportunity of their generation. Organizations that hesitate while AI-first businesses capture market share will find themselves unable to catch up.
AI is no longer a competitive advantage—based on my experience, it is the defining factor in which companies will lead and which will fade into irrelevance. This moment demands a choice. Will you embrace AI-first thinking and lead your industry into the future? Or will you cling to outdated business models and watch as AI-native companies redefine the marketplace? The answer will determine who thrives in the AI economy and who gets left behind.
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