Woooi, Don’t Be Like Me (or You will Perish Miserably)
Hey, friend! You’ve heard the saying, “Change is the only constant in life,” right?
Well, let me tell you—it’s not just hot air. It’s the bitter truth.
Why?
Let me beat you a story my dear.
Artificial intelligence Kenya: Adapt or Perish
Picture this: About a decade ago, I was the proud owner of a thriving TVET college.
You see, I had trained over 5,000 students and was already envisioning owning a huge university- I had even gotten a name for it : Palmax University, it was to be.
I was literary on top of the world—or so I thought.
Then, BAM! Like a slap you didn’t see coming, aggressive competitors popped up everywhere.
So suddenly, I was drowning in debt, couldn’t pay rent, let alone salaries.
Yes, my once-glorious college was on life support, and before I knew it, I had to shut its doors. RIP Palmax Business & ICT College. 😭
But you know what really killed me? Those competitors didn’t even ask me for permission before copying my business model! Rude, right? 😂 Naivety level: 100%.
And if you think your business or job is bulletproof, well, you’re as naïve as I was. (Don’t shoot the messenger; I’m just telling you the truth.)
Anyway, after my beloved college bit the dust, I tried a regular 8-5 job.
Big mistake.
Listen here: If there’s a Guinness World Record for “World’s Worst Employee,” I’d be the number 1 contender. I’m terrible at getting employed😅
So, I pivoted to digital marketing—freelancing, taking contracts, and getting paid per project.
And boy, was I thriving!
I worked with big names like Google and Amazon, and I was back on top of the success mountain.
Until… wooooooooi, November 30, 2022 came about.
If you don’t know, that is the date ChatGPT came about😥 (ChatGPT is AI wizard that can write, code websites/apps, design marketing materials, edit videos, and generally do everything that I was being paid to do as a digital marketer).
Guess what? Clients were buzzing with excitement. They started calling: “Have you seen this AI thing? It’s amazing!” Translation: “We don’t need to pay you anymore!”
Let me tell you, brethren, that thing turned my life upside down.
Orders vanished faster than toothpicks do in your local Mutura joint.
Indeed, business went down incredibly fast.
The good book talks about “In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth”… Matthew 8:12 and I was almost there..AI technology was making me experience the afterlife while I’m right here among you brothers and sisters!
Most days, I’d just open my laptop, stare at it like it owed me money, then binge-watch TikTok.
By evening, I’d pack up and head home pretending I’d had a productive day. (Spoiler: I hadn’t. 🤦🏽♂️)
Eventually, I had to call myself into an urgent meeting. It was intense—me, myself, and I debated for hours.
The result? A unanimous decision to stop sulking and start adapting.
I went back to class (yes, like a proper student) and upgraded my skills in AI technologies: machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, and generative AI.
Fast forward, my digital marketing business is bouncing back, stronger and smarter than ever. 💪
Artificial intelligence Kenya: Adapt or Perish
Back to where we started: The quote “Change is the only constant in life” which by the way came from famed Greek philosopher Heraclitus is a powerful reminder that there’s nothing – and I mean NOTHING-you can take for granted (not in business, not in your career, not in life, not anywhere).
In other words, you must always be constantly studying the environment and to adapt swiftly to whatever change comes your way.
Otherwise, you’ll be left behind- and you will join the long line of those (people and businesses) who perished because of ignoring change.
Think Posta, Kodak, Nokia, and the like..
So, my dear friend, don’t be like the old me (unless you enjoy epic failures and crises).
Stay ahead. Learn. Adapt. Thrive.
Or as we say in Kenya, “Usijifanye huoni, maisha itakushika vibaya!” 😂
PS: AI is here and it could take over your job or render your business obsolete before you even know it.
Question is: Are you willing to embrace it?