The Three-Phase Evolution: How AI Will Transform Your Business
The future is going to be incredible. I've been diving deep into building Agentic AI from the ground up, and it's completely revolutionizing how I work.
That's why I haven't dropped a letter in the last couple of weeks—I'm working on something that will fundamentally change how my business operates (and that of my clients).
What I've Been Building
As part of my consulting work, I help clients develop more effective marketing systems. The best marketing begins with thorough research, but my previous business required intensive research processes that were lengthy, expensive, and resource-intensive.
I've been replacing all of that with AI. Instead of a team of people, it's now me and the robots.
But here's the thing—it’s still been manual and time for me. I wondered: “Could I build a team of AI agents that could run this entire process WITHOUT me?”
I did it!
Mostly.
What I now have is a team of fully autonomous AI agents capable of reasoning, making decisions, and collaborating with other agents. This isn't science fiction—this is happening right now. I’ve just built it.
Cool retro AI art
The AI Business Evolution Framework: Three Critical Phases
Don't be afraid of being left behind. If you're reading this, you're already ahead of the curve. But you need to understand where we're heading.
Here are the three phases every business will move through:
Phase 1: Manual AI
Going to ChatGPT, Claude, or Grok
Pasting prompts and chatting for results
Human-driven, one-off interactions
Most businesses are here
Phase 2: Automated AI
Input triggers (form submissions, emails, etc.)
A series of AI processes (if-this-then-that logic)
Predetermined workflows deliver outcomes
Innovative businesses are moving here
Phase 3: Autonomous AI (The Game-Changer)
Intelligent agents trained on specific jobs
Ability to make decisions about quality and execution
Agent-to-agent communication and collaboration
Zero human involvement required
This is where we're heading
What Autonomous AI Means for Your Business
Here's what I see coming (and what I'm already building):
✓ AI is fully integrated into business operations
✓ AI understands your standards and processes
✓ AI knows how to optimize and grow your specific business
✓ AI creating and executing campaigns without oversight
The Capacity Revolution
My current mission: Help owners intentionally grow their businesses through good stewardship and strategic frameworks, with AI being the ultimate force multiplier.
Growing a business requires capacity. AI is the most significant development in human history for gaining capacity without breaking the bank.
The Problem (And Your Opportunity)
AI is advancing at a highly rapid pace, which can be overwhelming. AI is cool, but unless you know how it applies to YOUR business, it's pointless.
Most entrepreneurs are drowning in AI noise without a clear path forward.
[NOTE: Please don’t fear. This is all early, and what I’m saying is my hypothesis. My experience in business, AI and having a basic understanding of where things are going is informing my thinking around this. This is the encouragement to be diligent in developing this skill.]
Application is the opportunity.
Quick AI Implementation Framework
Here's how to approach this systematically:
Step 1: Audit Your Current State
What tasks consume most of your time?
Which processes are repetitive and rule-based?
Where do you feel stuck or bottlenecked?
Step 2: Identify Your AI Entry Point
Start with ONE process that's costing you time/money
Choose something with clear inputs and outputs
Pick a process you understand well
Step 3: Phase Implementation
Phase 1: Use manual AI to assist with this process
Phase 2: Automate the workflow with triggers
Phase 3: Build autonomous agents (when ready)
Step 4: Scale Systematically
Master one process before moving to the next
Build your AI muscle gradually
Focus on capacity creation, not just efficiency
How to know where to start…
Three Qs To Ask:
Question 1: What's Your Biggest Time Drain?
Think about your typical week. What task or process consumes the most hours but feels repetitive or rule-based?
Question 2: Do You Already Have A Good Process In Place?
AI won’t fix a bad process. If you have a process for the outcome you want to replace, that’s a great place to start.
Question 3: What's Your Tolerance for Imperfection?
Are you willing to accept 70%-80% accuracy if it saves you 90% of the time, or do you need 100% perfection?
The Bottom Line
The businesses that thrive in the next 5 years will be those that intentionally integrate AI to create capacity while maintaining human oversight, and values.
This isn't about replacing humans—it's about amplifying human potential and creating margin for what matters most.
I’m going to write more about this and share what I’m building (some cool things). If you want to see that, please hit the poll below.
The best is yet to come,
Chris
p.s. I’m talking to a copy chief about building out an entire copy team (front to back) to deliver high-level (compliant) copy autonomously. I’m also speaking with several builders about how AI can take over many operational aspects of their businesses. The use cases for this stuff are endless. More to come… ;)