My First Million
The best business ideas come from noticing what's working and doing it better, faster, or for a different audience.
Applying AI to Old-School Industries with Dumb Competition
Timeframe: 2-5 years for early movers to gain significant advantage
What's Changing
AI capabilities are becoming accessible enough for startups to apply machine learning to traditional industries that have been slow to adopt new technology
Driving Forces
Democratization of AI tools and APIs
Traditional industries with slow-moving incumbents
Large efficiency gains possible in manual, paper-based processes
Winners
- Startups that understand both AI capabilities and industry-specific problems
- Traditional businesses that adopt AI-powered solutions early
- Customers who get dramatically improved service quality
Losers
- Traditional service providers who ignore technological change
- Pure AI companies competing directly against other AI experts
- Middleman businesses whose value comes from information asymmetry
How to Position Yourself
Focus on industry expertise first, AI capabilities second
Partner with industry veterans who understand customer needs
Market based on business outcomes, not technical features
Build trust through gradual automation rather than full replacement
Early Signals to Watch
Example Implementation
“Apply computer vision and predictive analytics to freight logistics to automate pricing, route optimization, and capacity planning in an industry still using phone calls and spreadsheets”