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Devin Kearns | CUSTOM AI STUDIO
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Last update : 25/05/2025

9 Things I Wish I Knew Before Starting an AI Company 🤖

Table of Contents

Starting an AI business can be a daunting task with numerous lessons learned along the way. Here’s a concise breakdown of the key insights shared in the video, focusing on prompts, systems, and the importance of community as you embark on your journey in AI. 🚀

1. Understand the Power of Agentic Prompting ⚙️

What it is:
Agentic prompting differs significantly from traditional chatbot prompting. It emphasizes creating frameworks for decision-making rather than rigid instructions.

Example:
Instead of a long prompt that covers every possible scenario, focus on high-level decisions, leaving the system the flexibility to respond more dynamically.

Surprising Fact:
Over-specifying prompts can lead to hallucination in outputs, meaning the AI might generate irrelevant or false information due to confusion.

Tip:
Experiment with less detailed prompts first, allowing the model to fill in the gaps creatively while adhering to the overall objectives.

2. Causality is Slippery 📉

What it is:
Understanding why a prompt works (or fails) is inherently complex. In traditional coding, errors are easy to identify; in AI prompting, it requires extensive testing.

Example:
You might see changes in refund rates due to alterations in prompting, but it’s tricky to pinpoint what exactly triggered the change without thorough analysis.

Surprising Observation:
Keep iterating and experimenting with different approaches. Sometimes less specificity leads to better performance.

Tip:
Establish a structured approach to testing prompts. By systemically changing one variable at a time, you can better understand the impact of your adjustments.

3. Emotion is Key 🧡

What it is:
Incorporating emotion into prompts can significantly heighten the AI’s effectiveness. Emotion influences the attention AI models pay to various components of the prompt.

Example:
Using emphatic language or exclamation points can get the AI to focus on crucial elements, such as alerting users of important details.

Memorable Insight:
AI models benefit from emotive context, making interactions more engaging and effective.

Tip:
Draft your prompts with active language and incorporate emotion where appropriate to enhance engagement and effectiveness of AI outputs.

4. Building Custom Tools vs. Off-the-Shelf Solutions 🔧

What it is:
Custom-built tools often yield better results than generic solutions that attempt to solve multiple problems without addressing specific needs.

Example:
Creating your own data processing or labeling tools can save time and align perfectly with your business processes.

Surprising Finding:
Many off-the-shelf tools may not fully meet the specific demands of an AI system, leading to unnecessary complications.

Tip:
Invest time in building tailored solutions that directly address your operational needs and enhance system performance for your unique context.

5. Community is Everything 🤝

What it is:
A strong community can foster collaboration and learning opportunities through engagement, feedback, and idea sharing.

Example:
Engaging in live webinars or office hours can yield surprising insights and spur creative solutions by interacting with like-minded individuals.

Insight:
Building a community fosters a sense of belonging and can facilitate innovative discussions that enhance learning and project development.

Tip:
Make live interactions a regular practice; they offer immense value beyond traditional content-dissemination methods like tutorials.

6. Think of AI as Performance Contributors 🏆

What it is:
Recognize that AI systems should be treated as valued team members, measured by the KPIs associated with their performance.

Example:
If an AI agent can handle customer inquiries effectively, it should be evaluated based on the quality of its interactions rather than just its operational capabilities.

Fascinating Fact:
Setting proper expectations around AI performance ensures teams appreciate the contributing potential of AI systems rather than viewing them solely as tools.

Tip:
Monitor your AI systems like you would human performers; define their metrics and continuously assess their outputs to facilitate improvements.

7. Model Selection Matters 🎯

What it is:
Choosing the right AI model is crucial for system performance. It can make the difference between a ‘working’ system and one that is merely a proof of concept.

Example:
Different models have varying strengths, such as context windows and tool-calling capabilities that could impact how well they perform for specific tasks.

Surprising Insight:
The effectiveness of prompts can vary drastically based on the model employed, emphasizing the importance of selecting the best fit for your objectives.

Tip:
Experiment with various models during development to find the most optimal combination of model and prompt for your specific context.

8. Automations are Not Enough 🚫

What it is:
Understanding that traditional automation tools are becoming outdated is vital. The focus should be on developing agentic systems that are smarter and more adaptive.

Example:
Instead of relying on simple automation tools, prioritize building robust AI-driven systems capable of learning and adapting over time.

Eye-Opening Insight:
As businesses evolve, merely enhancing automation won’t yield significant operational efficiencies; those that adopt more advanced AI frameworks will gain a competitive edge.

Tip:
Shun outdated automation models and look for opportunities to incorporate agentic systems which actively enhance operational performance through AI.

9. Embrace Continuous Learning 📚

What it is:
AI technology is rapidly evolving, and what works today may soon be replaced. Stay sharp by fostering a culture of continual learning and adaptation.

Example:
Participating in workshops, actively engaging with emerging technology, and networking can keep your strategies fresh and innovative.

Unexpected Understanding:
The landscape of AI is filled with rapid changes; those willing to learn and adapt will outperform those who become complacent.

Tip:
Invest in ongoing education and community-building activities that keep you engaged with the latest trends, hypotheses, and insights in the AI sphere.

Resource Toolbox 📦

  1. n8n: n8n Partner Links – An open-source tool for workflow automation.
  2. Our Website: Custom AI Studio – Comprehensive resources and insights from the studio.
  3. Our Community: Join Here – Engage with fellow enthusiasts and professionals.
  4. Newsletter: Subscribe Now – Stay updated with weekly insights and developments.
  5. Our Blog: Medium Blog – Articles on AI implementation and strategies.

Leveraging these insights will empower you on your journey towards building a successful AI-focused operation. Embrace these lessons, and remember: the evolving landscape of AI offers vast opportunities waiting to be explored! 🌟

Devin Kearns | CUSTOM AI STUDIO
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