Fall is a natural time for reflection. Farmers harvest their fields, schools issue report cards, and many of us take stock of the year before we sprint into the holidays. For businesses experimenting with AI, this season is no different—it’s time to ask: what did we actually learn from our pilots this year?

Most individuals and organizations have "done something with AI”. A chatbot test. A draft-writing tool. An automated report. But here’s the hard truth—very few have taken the step of evaluating whether those experiments created value.

This is where the harvest metaphor matters. Planting seeds is easy. Watching them grow is exciting. But harvesting—actually gathering the results, separating what worked from what didn’t, and deciding what’s worth planting again—that’s the real discipline.

So as you look at your own AI and tech journeys this year, I’d encourage you to reflect on three things:

• What surprised you? Maybe a small automation saved hours each week. Maybe a flashy tool fizzled. The surprises are where the learning happens.
• What stuck? If a pilot quietly became part of your or your team’s daily workflow, that’s a sign of real adoption.
• What’s next? Not every experiment needs to scale, but every experiment should inform your strategy going forward.

AI isn’t about one big bet—it’s about evolving quickly, learning as you go, and turning experiments into repeatable capabilities.

As we closer to 2026, don’t just celebrate that you “tried AI.” Harvest the lessons. That’s how you build momentum for 2026. Let me know I can help.

Your BizTech,

—Joshua

P.S. Do you need professional expertise evaluating artificial intelligence opportunities for your business? Learn more about how I can help you start your AI Opportunity Assessment.

Disclaimer: I use AI to help write emails like these. I review & edit all AI-assisted work I publish.