Here in 2026, I have often heard some version of “I don’t like AI.”

If we then ask why, the answer is not always about AI itself. People are concerned about jobs. Their own jobs. Their kids’ future jobs. Friends and coworkers whose roles may change. Others worry about the speed of change, the environmental impact, the effect on creativity, how AI might influence society, or even what it means for us as humans. Those are all reasonable concerns, and I do not think they should be dismissed.

At the same time, I am reminded of other technology shifts many of us have lived through. I remember when e-commerce was still new. Putting a credit card number into a website felt risky and uncomfortable. Many people refused to do it. The internet itself was viewed by some as dangerous, disruptive, or unnecessary. Yet over time, we learned where it created value, where caution was warranted, where the tech needed improvement, and how to make it part of everyday life.

AI feels similar to past tech revolutions in my lifetime in some ways, although it seems to be moving faster and will have a wider potential impact. The reality is that nobody knows exactly where all of this will lead in the long term. Some concerns may prove justified. Others may fade as the technology matures. What seems increasingly clear is that AI or its child technology is not going away. The question for businesses is not whether AI should exist, but how to respond to the fact that it does.

You do not have to love AI. You do not have to adopt every new tool or chase every trend. But I do think it is worth paying attention. For many businesses, the most practical opportunities are not replacing people. They are helping people do more of what they do best by reducing repetitive work, accelerating research, improving access to information, and creating more time for higher-value activities.

My hope is that we approach AI (and all tech) with both healthy skepticism and healthy curiosity. An approach helps us manage risk while balancing opportunity. We, as humans, need to pursue both.

I'd like to hear your human perspective. What excites you about AI? What concerns you most? Feel free to reply and share your thoughts. I always appreciate hearing how others are thinking about these changes.

Your Tech Pal,

—Joshua

P.S. What is the most pressing technology (and/or business) related question in your work (or life) right now? Want my help addressing it? Then, book an actionable advice session. If you aren't sure I can help, book a short courtesy call and we'll see if I can.

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