AI Skepticism is Normal, But Make the Strategic Bet Now

Tracy Young
Playbook
February 20, 2025
Feb 20, 2025
AI Skepticism is Normal, But Make the Strategic Bet Now

There’s a lot that sucks about work right now: spreadsheets, manual data crunching and too many hours building last-minute decks, especially in GTM roles. We all know the struggle.

If you’re skeptical about AI, ask yourself — are you resisting AI or the change it brings? That change isn’t coming, it’s already here. AI isn’t about replacing people, it’s about removing the daily grind so teams can focus on customers, close more deals, and actually get some time back.

When I worked in construction, the priority was simple: make sure everyone got home safely. Now, working in software, the risk isn’t physical, but the principle is the same — help people get out on time and back to their lives. AI reduces the busywork, giving people more time for what actually matters.

It’s not AI versus humans. It’s AI working with humans to do what they do best: creativity, critical thinking, building relationships and solving complex, nuanced problems. Pairing AI with business intelligence takes this further by turning raw insights into tailored, actionable reports. AI handles the repetitive work and processes massive data, while humans bring empathy, intuition and strategic decision-making to drive impact.

Investing in AI isn’t just about cost; it’s a strategic move for the future. Big tech dominates the conversation, but they haven’t nailed it yet. Startups are stepping up with AI + BI solutions that are more flexible, cost-effective and free from ecosystem lock-in. With the right platform, businesses can stay agile, independent and make AI a scalable, smart investment.

Tracy Young

Tracy Young

Tracy Young, the co-founder and CEO of TigerEye and former leader of PlanGrid, has a proven track record in scaling tech enterprises, notably leading PlanGrid to a $875 million acquisition by Autodesk in 2018. She is recognized in Forbes’ Top 50 Women in Tech, has spoken at prestigious events like TEDWomen 2020, and holds a B.S. in construction engineering management.