BlackBerry, Horses, and Missed Revolutions: A Wake-Up Call About AI

Lesson #1: History is Riddled with Those Who Ignored the Obvious

Picture this: It’s 2009, and BlackBerry is everywhere. In boardrooms, airports, and coffee shops, those iconic keyboards click away. BlackBerry was more than a phone—it was a status symbol, the gold standard for business communication. But within a few short years, it faded into a relic. What happened? The world changed, and BlackBerry didn’t. They saw the iPhone as a toy, dismissed the app revolution, and clung to their keyboard. As one observer put it, “They innovated for yesterday, not for tomorrow.” By 2016, BlackBerry’s U.S. smartphone market share had plummeted from 44% to zero. The lesson? Even giants can vanish if they ignore the obvious. 

 But BlackBerry isn’t alone in this graveyard of missed revolutions. History is littered with companies and industries that scoffed at the future. Take the horse carriage makers of the early 1900s. When Henry Ford rolled out his Model T, many believed cars were a passing fad. The (possibly apocryphal) quote sums up their thinking:  

 “If I had asked people what they wanted, they would have said faster horses.” – Henry Ford (attrib.) 

 Of course, we know how that story ends. Automobiles didn’t just replace horses—they reshaped cities, economies, and the very pace of life. 

 Fast forward to the computer age. IBM, the king of mainframes, failed to see the tidal wave of personal computers. Bill Gates dreamed of “a PC on every desk and in every home,” but IBM clung to its old ways. The result? IBM lost the consumer market, and Microsoft became a household name.  

 The pattern repeats. Blockbuster, once the titan of movie rentals, laughed off Netflix. In 2000, Netflix’s CEO offered to sell the company for $50 million. Blockbuster declined. Today, Netflix is a streaming giant, and Blockbuster is a punchline. Kodak invented the digital camera but buried the technology to protect its film business. Borders, the beloved bookstore chain, ignored the rise of e-commerce and let Amazon take the lead. Each of these companies dismissed the digital revolution—and paid the price. 

 Even the humble website was once doubted. In the early 2000s, many businesses scoffed at the idea of needing a website or a blog. Now, WordPress powers over 43% of all websites globally. Early adopters built seven- and eight-figure businesses on the back of blogging and digital content. The lesson is clear: dismissing new technology, whether it’s the internet, personal computers, or AI, is a gamble most businesses lose. 

 Today, AI adoption trends are following a familiar pattern. Research shows that companies ignoring pivotal tech changes usually lose relevance. The risks of innovation denial are as real now as they were in the age of horses and mainframes. AI adoption use cases are exploding across industries—marketing, customer service, operations, and beyond. By 2025, AI adoption is expected to be the new normal, not the exception.  

 History doesn’t just repeat—it punishes those who ignore it. The next business Darwinism is here, and it’s powered by AI. 

Today’s Tipping Point: AI Is the New iPhone (and We’re Still Early)

 Picture the world in 2007. Most people still carried BlackBerrys, swore by their tactile keyboards, and scoffed at the idea that a touchscreen phone could ever be more than a toy. The iPhone arrived, misunderstood and underestimated. Within a few short years, it didn’t just change the phone—it changed everything about how people lived and worked. Now, in 2024, AI stands at that same crossroads. The difference? The pace is even faster, and the stakes are even higher. 

 AI adoption trends are exploding. Research shows that AI adoption among companies has soared from 50% to 72% in just a few years. And it’s not just the tech giants leading the charge. By 2025, projections say 63% of small businesses will use AI daily. That’s not a typo. Sixty-three percent. The numbers are staggering, but the reality behind them is even more dramatic. 

 Right now, AI automation is quietly replacing entire departments. Marketing teams that once needed a dozen people now lean on AI for content creation, personalized email campaigns, and customer segmentation. Support desks are staffed by chatbots that never sleep. Predictive analytics tools are making business decisions faster—and often better—than human analysts ever could. The explosion in business use cases is hard to overstate. From telecom giants using AI to optimize networks, to small retailers automating their inventory and customer outreach, the revolution is everywhere. 

 But here’s the twist: most people still don’t see it. Just like those early iPhone skeptics, many business owners and executives are underestimating what’s happening. They see AI as a distant, expensive technology—something for Silicon Valley, not Main Street. They couldn’t be more wrong. AI adoption in small businesses is accelerating because the tools are now affordable, accessible, and shockingly effective. The businesses embracing AI are outpacing their competitors, leaving laggards scrambling to catch up. 

 The impact is especially clear in AI marketing support. Imagine sending thousands of personalized emails in seconds, or segmenting your audience with a click. AI doesn’t just automate tasks—it amplifies what’s possible. For telecom companies, AI is optimizing everything from customer service to network reliability. In retail, it’s predicting trends before they happen. This is decision intelligence in action: AI is fundamentally changing how—and how fast—businesses make decisions. 

 AI is at the iPhone 2007 moment—still early, but growing explosively. 

 If history teaches anything, it’s that missing these moments is costly. The BlackBerry story is a warning, not a relic. The AI adoption window is wide open, but it won’t stay that way for long. As research indicates, companies ignoring this wave risk not just falling behind, but becoming irrelevant. The next business Darwinism is already underway, and AI is the catalyst. 

Wild Card: If AI Had Come for Horses—A Hypothetical

 Picture this: It’s the late 1800s. Horses still rule the roads, carriages clatter over cobblestones, and the world smells faintly of hay. Now, imagine a twist—what if someone had invented an AI-powered carriage? Maybe it could have optimized routes, predicted breakdowns, or even “learned” to avoid potholes. Would the horse industry have survived a little longer, or would it have just delayed the inevitable rise of the automobile? 

 History is full of moments where disruption arrives in disguise. Sometimes, it looks like a toy. The first automobiles were mocked as unreliable novelties. Early smartphones? Dismissed as expensive gadgets for techies. Even BlackBerry, once the king of business communication, scoffed at the idea of a touchscreen phone. What if they’d doubled down on AI features—predictive typing, voice assistants, smart scheduling—before anyone else? Would they still be a household name today? 

 These what-ifs aren’t just fun thought experiments. They’re reminders that AI adoption trends don’t always look revolutionary at first. In fact, research shows that AI sometimes appears as a gimmick—until it quietly, then suddenly, transforms entire industries. The same way early cars seemed like a joke to horse breeders, today’s AI tools might look like toys to some business leaders. But the numbers tell a different story: AI adoption growth is accelerating, with companies across healthcare, finance, retail, and manufacturing integrating AI decision intelligence into their daily operations. In 2025, small businesses alone have surged AI adoption by 41%, with 63% using AI daily for everything from marketing to customer service. 

 Why do so many leaders miss the wave? It’s not ignorance—it’s comfort. People don’t ignore the future because they can’t see it; they ignore it because the past feels safer. The horse carriage makers saw the Model T and thought, “That’ll never replace us.” BlackBerry saw the iPhone and thought, “Our keyboard is what people want.” But as history repeats, it’s clear: disruption is relentless and doesn’t wait for comfort. 

 Could embracing disruption, even awkwardly, give fading industries new life? Maybe. Sometimes, experimenting with half-formed tech is the only way to find the feedback loop that leads to real innovation. Futurists are often ridiculed—until they’re proven right. The lesson for today’s businesses is simple: if you’re not disrupting, you’re being disrupted. 

 Here’s a personal confession: the author once dismissed Twitter as “just for celebrities.” Oops. Now, social media is a cornerstone of modern business strategy, and AI in business is following a similar path. What looks trivial today could be tomorrow’s game-changer. 

 If you’re not disrupting, you’re being disrupted. 

 So, whether it’s AI-powered carriages or touchscreen phones, the pattern is clear. Adapting—even imperfectly—is better than standing still. The next revolution might already be here, quietly waiting for someone brave enough to take it seriously. 

Brass Tacks: What Ignoring AI Will Really Cost You

Picture this: Blockbuster, once a household name, now the punchline of every business cautionary tale. Kodak, Borders, BlackBerry—each a giant in their day, each toppled by a wave they refused to ride. Today, that wave is AI. The AI automation impact is no longer a distant threat; it’s the current that’s reshaping every industry, and those who ignore it risk becoming relics, not legends.

Let’s get down to brass tacks. What does ignoring AI actually cost?

• Irrelevance: Just as Blockbuster became a cultural footnote, businesses that sidestep AI are setting themselves up to be forgotten. As one industry analyst put it, “Companies ignoring AI risk losing relevance and competitiveness in their industries.” The world is moving on, and it won’t wait for stragglers.
• Losing Ground: Competitors embracing AI business efficiency are working faster, smarter, and often cheaper. Research shows that small business AI adoption surged 41% in 2025 alone, with 63% now using AI daily for marketing, customer service, and operations. That’s not a trend; it’s a tidal wave.
• Missed Customer Expectations: Today’s customers expect personalization and instant responses. AI-powered businesses deliver—those who don’t, lag behind. It’s like showing up to a Formula 1 race on horseback.
• Effort-Mismatch: Struggling with tasks AI can automate is the new shoveling coal in a world of electric trains. Why spend hours on repetitive work when AI can handle it in seconds? The AI adoption benefits are clear: time saved, costs cut, and human energy freed for creativity and strategy.
• Upskilling Gaps: The skills gap is widening. Those who don’t learn AI tools risk falling forever behind. It’s not just about using AI; it’s about understanding how to implement it strategically. In a world where AI is transforming business, upskilling isn’t optional—it’s survival.
• Data-Driven Decisions: AI adoption is strongest in industries with massive data—healthcare, finance, telecom, manufacturing, retail, and ecommerce. The global AI market is projected to hit $826.7 billion by 2030. That’s not just growth; that’s a revolution. Companies leveraging AI are making better decisions, faster, and with more confidence.

History is littered with those who missed the moment. The horse carriage makers who scoffed at automobiles. The mainframe titans who dismissed the PC. The bookstores and camera companies that clung to the past. Ignoring AI now is akin to missing out on the internet, or dismissing electricity for candlelight. The AI industry growth isn’t slowing down. In fact, studies indicate that AI brings tangible efficiency and cost benefits across sectors.

Here’s the hard truth: The cost of ignoring AI isn’t just lost revenue—it’s lost relevance. It’s the slow fade into obscurity as others speed ahead. The world is changing, and the price of standing still is higher than ever.

Practical Moves: Riding the AI Wave (Before It Knocks You Off Your Board)

 Picture this: It’s 2007. The iPhone has just landed, and BlackBerry execs are scoffing at the touchscreen. Fast forward a few years, and BlackBerry is a cautionary tale—proof that ignoring the future can leave even giants washed up on the shore. Today, the AI wave is swelling, and the lesson is clear: ride it, or risk being swept away. 

 But how do you actually catch this wave? It’s not about waiting for the “perfect” AI business strategy or reading endless whitepapers. It’s about getting your hands dirty. Start by exploring AI tools like ChatGPT, Midjourney, or AutoGPT. These aren’t just toys for techies—they’re rapidly becoming the backbone of modern business operations. Research shows that 63% of small businesses are expected to use AI daily by 2025, and the number is only climbing. 

 The smartest AI implementation strategies begin small. Let AI take over your repetitive, time-consuming tasks—think emails, proposals, scheduling. Suddenly, you’re not just saving time; you’re freeing up brainpower for the work that actually moves the needle. And here’s the kicker: even beginners can integrate AI now. Waiting for a “better moment” just gives your competitors a head start. 

 Once you’ve automated the basics, build on your strengths. Are you a sales pro? Use AI to analyze leads and personalize pitches. Content creator? Let AI draft outlines or generate ideas. Customer service? AI chatbots can handle the routine, so your team can focus on the human touch. Studies indicate that AI in business strategies are transforming industries by amplifying what people already do best. 

 Don’t get stuck planning forever. Experiment. Pilot AI in your invoices, your marketing, your operations. The best AI implementation strategies favor action over perfection. As demand for AI in business grows, so does the ecosystem of training and tools. There’s never been a better time to try, fail, and try again. 

 But here’s the real secret: upskill. Don’t settle for being a passive user. Become a strategic implementer. As one expert put it: 

 Upskilling for AI implementation is critical as businesses integrate AI into their operations and strategies. 

 This isn’t just about learning to use a new app. It’s about understanding how AI can reshape your business model, your workflows, and your customer experience. Rapid upskilling is now essential for keeping pace with AI adoption trends, and the growth in AI upskilling and implementation programs reflects this shift. 

 Finally, future-proof your business. Don’t bolt AI onto your strategy as an afterthought. Integrate it into the core of what you do. Confidence in AI tech is rising, and data security concerns are falling. The companies that thrive will be those that weave AI into their DNA—before the wave crests and leaves the rest behind. 

• Try out AI tools—don’t just read about them.
• Automate small tasks first, then scale up.
• Use AI to amplify your strengths, not just replace weaknesses.
• Experiment boldly—action beats endless planning.
• Upskill to become a strategic implementer, not just a user.
• Make AI central to your business strategy, not an afterthought.

 The AI wave is here. The only question is: will you ride it, or will you be left paddling in its wake? 

No Table Stakes: Why Deciding How to Use AI Matters As Much As Deciding to Use It

It’s easy to get swept up in the AI wave. Everyone’s talking about AI predictive analytics, AI decision intelligence, and the explosive pace of AI adoption across industries. But here’s the real story: just jumping on the AI bandwagon isn’t enough. The companies that thrive aren’t the ones who simply say “yes” to AI—they’re the ones who pause, look at their unique business vision, and ask, How do we make this work for us?

History is littered with examples of businesses that missed the mark—not because they ignored technology, but because they misunderstood its purpose. Think back to the early days of WordPress. Sure, anyone could start a blog. But it was the innovators, the ones who saw beyond the template, who built million-dollar empires. They didn’t just adopt the tech; they reimagined what it could do for their business. That’s the difference between surviving and thriving in an era of disruption.

Today, AI predictive analytics and decision intelligence are the new frontiers. Research shows that companies who thoughtfully implement these tools—aligning them with their culture, goals, and industry context—see the biggest gains. It’s not about tech-for-tech’s-sake. It’s about using AI insights business leaders can act on, not just admire from afar.

• Personalization: AI adoption sectors like retail and ecommerce are using predictive analytics to tailor customer experiences, driving loyalty and revenue.
• Efficiency: In manufacturing, healthcare, and finance, AI decision intelligence is streamlining operations and uncovering new opportunities.
• Strategic Shifts: Industries with vast data sets—think telecom or banking—are leading strategic shifts, not by following trends, but by leveraging AI to make smarter, faster decisions.

It’s tempting to think of AI as a magic bullet. But the reality is more nuanced. The winners are those who ask: What problem are we solving? How does AI fit our mission? They don’t just automate for the sake of automation. They build a culture that’s ready to adapt, experiment, and learn.

And the landscape is shifting fast. Studies indicate that AI adoption across industries has surged, with sectors like healthcare and finance leading the charge. Small businesses aren’t far behind—AI usage for daily tasks has jumped by over 40% in just a year. The global AI market is projected to reach $826.7 billion by 2030. But here’s the catch: not all adopters will win. Only those who use AI strategically—who see it as a tool for reinvention, not just replacement—will come out ahead.

   The best way to predict the future is to invent it. – Steve Jobs 

So, as the AI revolution barrels forward, remember: it’s not about keeping up with the Joneses. It’s about inventing your own future. Strategic AI usage, not just adoption, splits winners from also-rans. The real question isn’t if you’ll use AI. It’s how you’ll use it to shape what comes next.

Conclusion: Are You Building the Future, or Just Hoping Not to Be Left Behind?

 Every era of innovation leaves behind a trail of those who refused to see the writing on the wall. The story of BlackBerry is just one in a long line of cautionary tales—a company that once ruled the business world, only to vanish into near-obscurity because it clung too tightly to yesterday’s success. History doesn’t just punish ignorance; it punishes arrogance and comfort with the status quo. The horse carriage makers, the film giants, the bookstores that scoffed at e-commerce—they all thought they had more time. They didn’t. 

 Now, the world stands at the edge of another seismic shift. AI adoption trends are accelerating at a pace that would have seemed impossible just a few years ago. Research shows that companies embracing AI in business strategies are not just surviving—they’re thriving. In fact, studies indicate that AI adoption among businesses has soared from 50% to over 70% in recent years, with projections pointing even higher by 2025. Small businesses, once thought to lag behind, are now integrating AI into daily operations, using it to automate marketing, customer service, and more. The message is clear: timely adoption of AI is essential for survival and growth. 

 But here’s the uncomfortable truth—most leaders only realize they’ve reached the cliff’s edge after they’ve already stepped off. The cost of inaction isn’t just missed profits or a dip in market share. It’s erasure from the story of your industry. It’s becoming the next case study in business school slides, a name spoken only as a warning. 

 Let AI’s disruptive potential be your wake-up call—not your obituary. The global AI market is projected to reach nearly a trillion dollars by 2030. Industries with vast data—healthcare, finance, retail, manufacturing—are already being transformed. AI in business strategies is no longer a futuristic concept; it’s the new baseline. Companies that experiment, even imperfectly, are finding new efficiencies, deeper customer engagement, and a competitive edge that’s impossible to fake. 

 Action, not perfection, is the secret to survival. The businesses that will write the next chapter aren’t the ones waiting for a perfect roadmap—they’re the ones willing to try, fail, learn, and try again. AI adoption trends show that the early movers are reaping the rewards, while the hesitant are fading into irrelevance. 

 So, the question hangs in the air, heavy and urgent: Are you building the future, or are you going to be left behind like BlackBerry? The opportunity—and the responsibility—rests in your hands. Will you innovate, or will you be remembered as another leader who missed the wave? The next chapter of business Darwinism is being written right now. Are you ready to build the future? 

TL;DR: Don’t be the next BlackBerry. Embracing AI isn’t just about tech—it’s about survival. Look to history, recognize the warning signs, and seize the AI opportunity before it leaves you behind.