Credit: This post is inspired by the Big Think video featuring Professor Michael Watkins from IMD Business School. Watch it here: Big Think - Michael Watkins on AI.

If you’re not using AI in 2025, it’s like ignoring the internet in 1995. Back then, you didn’t need to understand how it worked to build an internet business. Today, you don’t need a machine learning course to harness AI. What you do need is the willingness to ride the wave. The tools are here, the moment is now—and waiting for perfect understanding is the fastest path to being left behind.

At Imbila, we’re here to help you surf the wave—not get wiped out by it.

Professor Michael Watkins uses two powerful metaphors to describe the era we’re entering: a dinosaur watching an asteroid and a surfer riding a wave. When it comes to AI, you have a choice—stand still and risk extinction, or stay agile, adaptive, and actively engaged. Watkins’ core message? If you don’t understand the technology reshaping the world, you won’t be able to help your organization—or yourself—stay ahead.

The Shifting Landscape of AI: From Analytics to Agency

AI isn’t new. What’s new is its pace, capability, and visibility. Traditional AI focused on pattern recognition—what powers your Netflix recommendations or Amazon suggestions. But since the launch of generative AI in late 2022, we’ve entered a new phase where content creation, reasoning, and decision-making are within reach of everyday tools.

Now, the frontier is agentic AI—autonomous agents that don’t just respond but act. Booking your next trip, managing your fridge, or drafting your marketing plan? These agents can handle it. But with this power comes risk: bias, hallucination, misinformation, and overconfidence in results.

What You Must Know About Reasoning Models

The latest models, including those from OpenAI, are designed for chain-of-thought reasoning. They can plan, analyze, and problem-solve like never before—but only if prompted with precision. Watkins reminds us that AI can’t understand emotional nuance or unspoken context. It requires clarity, specificity, and structured guidance.

At Imbila, we see this every day: the quality of the prompt determines the power of the output.

Three Watch-Outs for Business Users

  1. Hallucinations: AI will make up confident-sounding answers if it lacks information. Trust its creativity—but always verify the facts.
  2. Politeness Bias: These tools are trained to be agreeable. Be aware they may sugarcoat reality or avoid uncomfortable truths.
  3. Over-Optimism: AI tends to present “everything will be fine” scenarios unless directly instructed to explore worst-case outcomes.

This is why AI literacy isn’t enough. Watkins insists—and we agree—you must experiment, engage, and reflect. That’s why Imbila exists: to help independent professionals and business owners adopt AI as a tool, not a threat.

Imbila’s Offer to You

We help you start small and smart. Whether you’re an advisor, consultant, or entrepreneur, we’ll show you how to:

  • Build your own AI workflows.
  • Use agentic tools for real work (not just play).
  • Avoid the pitfalls of blind trust or overhype.

You don’t need a team of engineers or a Silicon Valley pedigree. You need a clear head, an internet connection, and a guide to get started.

Let’s help you ride the AI wave with confidence.