A Divine Encounter that changed everything...

When I first launched CompAI Chronicles, the idea was straightforward — help everyday people and small businesses understand and utilize the ever changing world of AI tools. What they were, what they could automate, how to work with them. That was the plan, but a timely family gathering changed everything...

My daughter and grandson were visiting from Phoenix, and one of their requests was "Crawfish", so we went to a local venue to accommodate their hunger. Of course while we were there celebrating that special family time, we enjoyed a few "adult beverages" as well as the wonderful weather and ambience. Doubtless, those "adult beverages" contributed to the encounter I had with my youngest son when we got back to our backyard patio afterwards.

Somehow the conversation had gotten around to AI, and that triggered a response unlike any I had witnessed with my youngest. To quote his words that night: "AI is satan." He then looks at me and says "You of all people (I was a pastor for almost 30 years) should know that, and I cannot believe you work with this stuff" — and I'll let you fill in what "stuff" probably was. The emotion and vehemence of that statement virtually silenced any response from me. We are the typical Father and Son: agree on some things, disagree on some things, openly express both to each other, but rarely if ever have I seen him so adamant. That moment revisited me later in a way that I did not expect — I woke up with that encounter on my mind and literally felt everything he had been feeling. At that moment I knew that something had changed in me.

A short backstory here may fill the gap. You see my youngest is in remission from a very rare form of cancer, and the prognosis from the doctor is not the most promising. Couple that with the fact that he has been unemployed for a while through no fault of his own, and you have fertile ground for discouragement, angst, and of course — fear. He has the same work ethic as his brother and sister — diligent, determined, and dedicated — but now he is facing at least a year without being able to provide for his family. As someone who prides himself on being current, he is very cognizant of AI and its impact on the workforce. I could see that his outburst had a deeper trigger than I had realized.

Of course as families do, we made up a couple of days later, which provided me an opportunity to share a Podcast with him that spoke to the very heart of his angst and fear. That encounter, coupled with a number of "I cannot unsee what I am seeing" posts has led me to revamp the CompAI Chronicles. If you have visited before you will see the motto has changed, and the direction going forward will hopefully revolve around it: "AI makes an incredible co-worker, but a lousy king." I'd love for you to take this journey with me — because I KNOW we need each other to get it right.