A few weeks ago, the world's news headline was, “China's DeepSeek-R1 shocks the world with its new Artificial Intelligence.” Speculation was the platform was perhaps stolen, copied, revamped and introduced to the world as a rival of our AI programs at a fraction of the cost.
Well butter my buns and call me a biscuit, who would have thought that? I mean yes, we have seen sneak previews of say, one of our most advanced fighter planes only to have China preview a fleet of look-alikes at air shows around the world the next day. They have even been caught trying to steal the genetics of our hybrid seeds. I talked to one of our company's engineers who traveled to China, and he was listed as such and was detained at the airport whilst the salespeople completed their mission.
That is what China does, copy, cheapen and sell products to the world but shuns any free thought innovation as our engineers are taught to do, and they keep these engineers out. So, why is this important? Simply put, and we plagiarize a suthun' general, Natan Bedford Forrest, who said "To win the wowah (we southerners pronounce war as a two-syllable word) you have to get there firstist with the mostest".
My daughter's workforce was told by the owner that they would not be replaced by AI but, that they would be replaced by someone who uses AI. AI is the tool that allows one to assimilate thoughts and facts in such a fast, logical way that it influences others to believe and act on your supposition in a way you and AI determines. Example: I did breakfast with a bunch of friends who, in our setting, we wouldn't trust a single sentence or story to be true. These guys are story tellers and embellishers extraordinaire. One whipped out his smart phone AI app and asked it to write a mission statement for our group. Within 45 seconds there was a document produced that made the group of liars and comedians look like a think tank of geniuses who were to change the world for good. It would have gotten an A+ — unlike all the papers I wrote at Murray State that had to be rewritten in total. I was born a generation or two too early.
Anyway, those who control the base data used in AI products can change facts to favor the nation or company of its origin and propel them to greater success. If China controls the platform adopted by the world, I will wager a bitcoin that Tiananmen Square and the Hong Kong take over will be presented as events of the suppression of capitalist evil by the perfect socialist people of China. Remember, we are taught from birth to believe what we see written in print.
Do you see the danger? Products coming from China or any other source can be promoted as something different or better than in actuality. There is AI written material popping up all over the internet. All are impressive and authoritative, but some are 100% wrong. The Facebook site for the old Allis-Chalmers tractors listed a review of a 220 AC tractor. They were 135 HP. The 220's engine AI listed was Kohler with a hydrostatic drive. What was it former President Ronald Reagan said, "Trust but Verify?" I have accessed AI sites as I struggle to put thoughts on paper, and it impresses me the smoothness of the writings. But, anyone could tell in a heartbeat it wasn't me, it was too good. So, from product presentations to resumes presented to us we will have to discern the difference between reality and AI. Maybe we need an AI program to determine if we are getting an AI programmed solicitation?
Don't bury your head in the sand and hope AI will go away. It will not. Embrace it. Learn it. Our future may depend on it. ‘Til next time, wishing you miles of smiles and profitable sales.
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Told from the perspective of an in-the-trenches owner/operator — Tim Brannon of B&G Equipment, Paris, Tenn. — Equipment Dealer Tips, Tales & Takeaways shares knowledge, experiences and tips/lessons with fellow rural equipment dealerships throughout North America. Covering all aspects required of an equipment dealership general manager, Brannon will inform, entertain and provide a teachable moment for current — and future — leaders within equipment dealerships. |
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