Is AI a curse or boon for startups in 21st Century: Interesting Debate!
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a term that we come across on a daily basis being the active participating members of 21st century. The ongoing discussion regarding the introduction and usage of artificial intelligence as a boon or curse with regard to startups is worthy of consideration as we explore the various emerging possibilities arising as a result of its increased introduction in global startups. Many individuals consider AI as a curse for startups since it has led to unanticipated events such as decreased human effort, diminishing creative prowess and highly negligible originality and uniqueness in any given task. On the other hand, several individuals consider AI as a boon for startups since it has helped initiate a digital revolution across various small-scale businesses and has deeply influenced the overall efficiency and productivity levels of individuals working in these startups.
How AI has changed the game for startups
Be it the arts and writing industries or the tourism and hospitality management or the medical sciences, you name it and AI has entered all disciplines. With different names such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, Quillbot and Grammarly, these tools act as facilitators in individual tasks as well as hinder the process since they are rapid and carry a potential danger of replacing human minds and efforts in their overall functioning. The rapid responses and quick corrective abilities make these tools easily accessible to different people without any added costs or expenses. This might be the biggest reason to worry as to whether these AI tools can be considered as boons or curses for startups. While it might be perceived as a convenient option to save costs of infrastructure and equipment, heavy reliance on these tools can become a potential liability for startups since they might create an impression as if AI could fix anything. Why would anyone feel like investing in such startups that primarily rely on AI for their services?! It is therefore important that owners of startups utilise AI with vigilance and make it useful for the sake of a better future and not that of manipulating human effort with AI generated results. Since if that is the case then startups shall essentially fail in gaining a reputation and might just lose their position in the market. It is truly in the hands of the startup owners, whether to consider AI as a boon or curse by understanding the thin line between intervention and substitution. If AI works towards doing the unthinkable and that is somehow responsible in bringing a positive reform in society then it could be considered as a boon. On the other hand, it is considered a curse if it is performing the majority of the tasks in the name of a startup. It is important to understand that it is not AI vs. humans but just operators of it and non-operators. Startups are often flabbergasted with the outcomes that are generated upon operating such tools and procrastinate as well as hesitate in terms of employing staff since they accompany costs such as paid holidays, accomodation, salary, bonuses and incentives. On the other hand, AI is itself devoid of any additional costs and can be operated using minimal supervision, so it is a highly preferred tool to that of human minds. But while it saves costs it also increases the overall risk of losing business and position in the market owing to great competition and demand for better quality products and services.
It is evidently clear that each technological revolution accompanies with itself several advantages as well as limitations. But it would be an irony if we as the directors and founding managers of startups do not evolve and grow with the digital revolution that has introduced AI into the professional sphere. If one analyzes the various capabilities and capacities associated with AI, one can understand that it is a mere instrument that might potentially be considered trivial without the necessary amalgamation of the human mind in it. If startups attempt to use AI as a means to implement a breakthrough discovery or technique that harmlessly coexists in human civilizations without deprecating human development and evolution, then it can be considered a true boon for them. But at the same time, one must ensure that AI does not become a representative of human ideation. It should merely act as a tool to witness inspirational prodigies! If at any point, it appears as if AI is hindering the very progress that you are looking to attain through its ideation, then it is an indication of a strong warning that it is not to be used any longer. Wasn’t the world functioning quite effectively before the introduction of AI in the professional realm? It is not that difficult to minimise its use if one makes a conscious decision to pursue it actively. It is a matter of understanding how AI can perform mentally consuming tasks so that humans can utilize that saved time in making breakthrough discoveries and inventions that might change the landscape of the world.
Since the purpose of startups is to invent something unique or to devise methods to solve existing problems, they can utilize AI to stay honest to their purpose without letting it go overboard and ruining it. It is true that AI might steal jobs of those who might feel intimidated with its abilities, but if they use their intellect to understand its limitations and the true power of their mind then it won’t be able to substitute them. Real genius is in realising the importance of the human mind that is able to introduce an idea in a startup and using tools of artificial intelligence to support that idea. The process might appear intimidating and struggling initially, but this is the only way to transform AI from a potential threat to a wonder instrument that supports humans.
Who said that AI is only meant to substitute humans and perform their tasks? It could also work in close alignment with humans as do other machines that we use in the names of television, laptops, refrigerators and washing machines.
Conclusion
The debate about whether AI is a boon or curse for startups can really go on endlessly without a definite end, but there is one thing that can be proposed with certainty and that is that it could be perceived subjectively by different startups. Whether to use it to support an idea or to blindly rely on its results is up to each individual. It is highly recommended to assess the variables of engaging with AI as a startup owner and only upon being certain of its results, should one introduce it!
