Why Waiting for Better AI is a Mistake

I’ve had a thought rolling around in my head this week, and the more I mull it over, the bigger it feels. Credit where it’s due—I first saw this from Ethan Mollick, and it’s been a game-changer for how I think about AI:

“Today’s AI is the worst you will ever use.”

Let that sink in for a moment. It’s an incredible idea. Every day, the tools we have are improving, faster than most of us can even wrap our heads around. Tomorrow’s AI will absolutely outperform what we have today. But there’s a trap hidden in this truth, and I’ve seen it snare a lot of folks:

“If AI is going to be better tomorrow, maybe I should just wait.”

Spoiler alert: No. Don’t wait. Here’s why.

The Danger of Waiting

The longer you wait to start using AI, the more ground you lose. While you’re waiting for that better tomorrow, your competitors, your peers, and everyone else around you are already digging into today’s tools. They’re getting familiar, finding what works, and stacking up wins—small ones at first, but wins nonetheless.

It’s like showing up to a marathon where everyone else started training months ago. Sure, you might have fancier shoes when you finally lace up, but they’ve already been running.

The Compounding Advantage

Let’s talk numbers. Say AI can make you 10% more efficient today. That’s conservative, by the way—I’ve seen much higher gains in real-world use. Now imagine six months from now, AI tools improve, and they can boost you by 20%.

The obvious thought might be, “I’ll just wait and start at 20%.” But here’s what you’re missing: those six months of 10% efficiency gains are gone forever. And on top of that, by starting now, you’ll gain experience, insight, and workflows that will amplify your gains when that 20% efficiency rolls around.

Think about it as compound interest. The earlier you start, the more you benefit. It’s not just about the immediate gain—it’s about building momentum.

Start Small, Start Now

Here’s the thing: you don’t have to dive into AI headfirst. You don’t need to automate your entire workflow overnight. Start with something simple. Use AI to draft emails, summarize documents, or brainstorm ideas.

The key is to get started. Dip your toes in, and you’ll quickly see how it can transform the way you work.

And if you’re feeling overwhelmed, I get it. AI can be a lot to wrap your head around. That’s why I always say: start incrementally. Recognize where AI fits into your current work, and let it grow from there.

Don’t Let “Better Tomorrow” Be an Excuse

Waiting for perfection is a surefire way to miss out on progress. AI is already here, it’s already amazing, and it’s only getting better. Don’t wait for tomorrow’s AI. Use today’s, learn, adapt, and be ready to thrive in the future.

What’s stopping you from jumping in?