If you ask the average person about Artificial Intelligence, the conversation often drifts toward Hollywood narratives. We think of Terminator 2, Skynet, and a dystopian future where robots replace us. It’s a dramatic story, but for business leaders in New Mexico, it’s the wrong story. The focus should be on AI adoption and how it helps businesses thrive.
At our recent SEA Luncheon (November 20, 2025), creative strategist and RealmIQ founder Curt Doty offered a different narrative—one not of replacement, but of expansion. He calls AI a “Force Multiplier.”
AI adoption is not just a buzzword; it’s a strategy for growth and efficiency.
Doty noted that the “Hollywood Fear” is based on a tiny slice of reality—creative output accounts for less than 10% of global AI use cases. The rest of the world has already moved past the sci-fi drama and into strategic adoption.
The reality is that AI isn’t coming for your job; it’s coming to take the drudgery out of your job so you can focus on the high-value strategy that actually drives revenue. But getting there requires moving past the fear and having a deliberate plan for AI adoption.
Here are the key takeaways from Curt’s session on how to move your organization from “playing around” with AI to adopting and thriving.
The Hidden Footprint: A New Mexico Opportunity
One of the most eye-opening moments of the talk was a breakdown of AI’s environmental cost. “AI isn’t magic,” Doty reminded us. “It’s compute. And compute uses electricity.”
He used a striking water metaphor to explain the energy cost of generation:
- One 500-word blog post: Equivalent to a large glass of water.
- One AI-generated image: Equivalent to two bathtubs of water.
- One AI-generated video: Equivalent to a backyard swimming pool.
This reality brings a dual message. First, for businesses: Play with Purpose. Don’t burn resources generating content that offers no business value. Second, for New Mexico: Opportunity. As AI data centers demand more power, regions like ours—rich in geothermal, solar, and wind potential—are uniquely positioned to lead the next wave of sustainable economic development.
The 5 Stages of AI Adoption (Where Are You?)
Much like the stages of grief, Doty suggests business leaders go through “The 5 Stages of AI Adoption.” Recognizing where you are is the first step to moving forward.
- Denial: “It’s just a hype bubble. It can’t do what I do.”
- Anger: “Why do I have to learn this? I’m too busy.”
- Bargaining: “Maybe we can use a few gadgets but keep our old ways.”
- Depression: “What’s the point? I’m going to be replaced.”
- Acceptance & Leverage: “How can I use this to transform my business?”
True AI Literacy isn’t just about knowing the buzzwords. It’s about mastering specific skills: writing effective prompts, building custom GPTs, understanding data ethics, and automating workflows. Companies that build these skills internally won’t just stay relevant—they will become innovation leaders.
The Framework for Success: G.R.O.W.
Doty introduced his proprietary GROW framework, a practical roadmap for integrating AI into your workflows without losing the “human in the loop.”
G – GROUND Use AI to build your foundation. Before you create, you must understand. Use tools like Perplexity or ChatGPT to conduct deep market research, run SWOT analyses on your competitors, and check your assumptions. Key Insight: Let AI “light the runway,” but remember: you are still the pilot.
R – REFLECT This is where AI shines as a creative partner. Use it to challenge your thinking. Feed it your strategy and ask, “What am I missing?” or “What would a competitor say about this?” Use conversational AI to reframe problems through unexpected lenses—like seeing your marketing plan entirely from the consumer’s perspective. Key Insight: Better prompts lead to braver ideas.
O – OPTIMIZE Once you have the strategy, scale the smart stuff. This is about automation—plugging AI into your CRM, automating follow-ups, and refining workflows. If you have a 9-step process for writing a blog or a proposal, analyze it. Can AI handle steps 2, 3, and 5? If you can cut a 3-day process down to 15 minutes, you haven’t just saved time; you’ve bought your team freedom to innovate. Key Insight: Repetition is your signal for automation.
W – WORK Action beats theory. You can’t learn AI by reading about it; you have to use it. Start with “scrappy pilot projects.” Pick one specific task—like writing job descriptions or analyzing a spreadsheet—and apply AI today. Key Insight: Supercharge yourself. If your competitors are using this to move faster and you aren’t, you will fall behind.
Navigating the Legal Landscape
Concerns about IP and copyright are valid, but the landscape is maturing rapidly. Doty pointed to Udio—a music generation tool that faced initial lawsuits but now partners with major labels to license music legally. The pattern is clear: early disruption leads to legal battles, which eventually settle into “AI done right.” The dust always settles, and the businesses that waited on the sidelines are often too far behind to catch up.
Ready to Multiply Your Force?
The future belongs to the curious. At SEA, we are committed to bringing you the insights that keep our region competitive. As Curt Doty said in his closing remarks: “We can’t predict the future, but we can prepare for it.”
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