By Kevin Bees, BasicBananas.com
Two juicy academic papers recently dropped — “Genius on Demand: The Value of Transformative Artificial Intelligence” and “We Won’t Be Missed: Work and Growth in the Era of AGI.” And no, they’re not bedtime reading unless you enjoy drifting off to dreams of spreadsheets and algorithms.
BUT… the ideas inside? 🔥 Game-changing.
They confirm what many of us have been sensing: AI isn’t just the intern you delegate boring tasks to anymore. It’s becoming the co-founder you wish you had — brilliant, tireless, and here to scale your business faster than a double espresso on Monday morning.
So what does this mean for you, the bold, brilliant small business owner?
Let’s break it down…
Routine vs. Genius Work
The first paper makes a mic-drop distinction:
- Routine work = stuff we already know how to do
- Genius work = creating new ideas, solving new problems, thinking big
Guess which one AI is already crushing?
Yep — routine work. Writing captions, sorting data, managing calendars, answering FAQs… it’s already happening. Which is awesome news, because it frees you (yes YOU) to do more of the genius stuff — the magic that only humans can do:
💡 Creativity
🤝 Relationships
🎯 Strategy
🌟 Innovation
In other words: Let the robots do the rinse-and-repeat. You do the remarkable.
Bottlenecks vs. Accessories
The second paper takes it a step further and says all work falls into two categories:
- Bottlenecks = If they don’t scale, neither does your business
- Accessory tasks = Nice to have, but not deal-breakers
AI is now knocking out those bottlenecks like a ninja on a mission. Bookkeeping? Automated. Scheduling? Streamlined. Logistics? AI’s got it.
So where do you come in?
Right where the robots stop: in the moments that matter — storytelling, decision-making, empathy, culture-building. The human stuff that builds loyal fans and memorable brands.
Okay Cool, But What Should I Do?
Here’s your action plan. Not a to-do list. A take-over-the-world list:
✅ Automate the boring bits
If a task makes you yawn, there’s probably an AI tool for it. Use it. Free up your brain for bigger things.
✅ Upgrade your team’s skills
Teach them how to work with AI, not fear it. The most valuable people in your business will be the ones who can collaborate with machines and still bring the human spark.
✅ Double down on what makes you human
Your weird jokes. Your passion. Your ability to turn ideas into impact. That’s your competitive edge now.
✅ Rethink what “scaling” means
More staff doesn’t always mean more success. Sometimes, it means more headaches. Try “more smart tools” instead.
✅ Stay flexible
AI isn’t just coming. It’s sprinting. Stay open, stay curious, and treat change like a new dance move — awkward at first, then addictive.
The Timeline (a.k.a. The Not-So-Distant Future)
🕒 Now (0–5 years):
Most routine tasks get handed to AI. You get to think more, dream more, lead more.
🕒 Mid-Term (5–10 years):
AI runs entire systems. Small teams deliver massive results. (Goodbye burnout, hello freedom.)
🕒 Long-Term (10+ years):
AGI might be handling all economic tasks. So what’s left?
Humanity. Values. Creativity. Brand.
The stuff that actually matters.
Final Thought (a.k.a. Your Pep Talk)
This isn’t the apocalypse of small business. It’s the biggest opportunity we’ve ever had. AI levels the playing field. You don’t need a massive team or a Fortune 500 budget. You just need to be smart, strategic, and unapologetically you.
The future belongs to the courageous. To the creative.
To the ones who use AI as a launchpad, not a crutch.
🚀 So let’s build businesses that are smarter, more human, and completely unforgettable.
Because in a world of automation, being human isn’t just an asset — it’s your superpower.
🎯 Ready to future-proof your business (without frying your brain)?
Join our next Masterclass and discover how to use AI to work smarter, stand out, and scale without the stress.
👉 Stop guessing. Start growing. Save your seat now!
https://www.basicbananas.com/aimasterclass/