Returning to the Surface

Hey everyone,

It’s been a while since I’ve posted here.

Since my last newsletter, I changed jobs and have spent a lot of time in AI. Probably too much time. I genuinely think I’m losing brain cells at this point.

Most of my time lately has been spent tinkering, testing tools, and working on business-driven AI implementation. I joined an AI company called Gauntlet AI. I won’t bore you with exactly what we do, but we’re AI-native, we spend a ridiculous amount of money on tokens, and I get to try almost everything.

At this point, I’ve tested an absurd amount of AI tools, workflows, models, agents, and automation systems. Some of them are incredible. A lot of them are complete BS.

That’s actually why I’m writing again.

I want to start sharing what I think is genuinely working, what I think is overhyped, and where I think all of this is headed, especially for marketing and business operations.

One of the biggest reasons I left SkyFi, even though I really liked working there and the company is doing well (shout out to KA and MP), is because I became genuinely concerned about what AI is about to do to marketing and sales.

I think marketing is going to be one of the most disrupted industries over the next few years.

I look at agencies charging clients for 40 hours of work that I now know can be done in 35 minutes with AI. And that’s not an exaggeration. (Don't worry I will share that learning in another newsletter)

There’s a massive disconnect right now between the actual cost of producing work and the price businesses are still paying for it. The market hasn’t adjusted yet, but it will.

I think there’s going to be a huge reset in how services are priced over the next one to three years, and I think a lot of people are going to get caught off guard because they waited too long to adapt.

That’s a big part of why I am here talking to my computer (and you) again.

I want to share everything I’m learning while I’m learning it. I’m spending a lot of money figuring out what works, what doesn’t, where AI breaks, and where it actually creates leverage.

If I can help other people avoid wasting the same time and money, I want to do that.

So expect a lot more posts.

They’ll probably come at unpredictable times, but there’s a lot I want to share.

Thanks for being here. I went through my list of subscribers before sending this. I appreciate each and every one of you.

– Tom Babb

P.S. If your business is trying to figure out AI marketing or becoming more AI-first, find me on LinkedIn and send me a message. Happy to chat.