What I Wish Someone Had Told Me Before Diving Headfirst into the AI World

Brandon Stevens

‍

Back in 2016, I had this “lightbulb moment,” a vision for a talent platform that felt like a secret weapon — a more honest and insightful way to connect people and organizations than what was already out there. My core belief was simple: when everyone’s watching, we tend to put on a show. Public profiles, I realized, often paint a prettier picture than reality. This, I thought, was the Achilles’ heel of using AI in HR — the data feeding the algorithms was inherently a little… stretched.

Naively, I pictured it like that scene in Field of Dreams: “If you build it, they will come.” I genuinely believed that a better product would speak for itself. Boy, was I in for a reality check. Someone wise (and probably battle-scarred) told me early on to multiply my initial estimates for time and money by at least three. Great ideas, I learned the hard way, are a dime a dozen. Turning that spark into something people actually need, and are willing to pay for, is a whole different ballgame.

Looking back, with 15 years in the industry, I knew the existing tools often missed the mark when it came to accuracy and predicting potential. What I didn’t fully grasp was how much we, the users, were part of the problem. Most software just isn’t designed to anticipate how people will actually use it, especially when it comes to something as nuanced as career growth. They’re like digital organizers, making our days a bit smoother, not fortune tellers. My “Field of Dreams” assumption was my first big stumble.

But then, things got really interesting. We stumbled upon Natural Language Processing (NLP), the technology that powers those smart assistants and sophisticated language models. It felt like we’d found the key to unlock the future. We jumped in, full throttle, convinced this was the answer for HR tech.

And in many ways, it is. NLP is starting to make waves in our industry. But that old problem of “junk in, junk out” keeps rearing its head. We’re so used to the old way of doing things — polishing our online profiles, presenting the best version of ourselves. Now, we’re asking people to be vulnerable, to share the messy, real stuff that AI needs to truly understand potential.

That’s when the real “big idea” hit us. It wasn’t just about the fancy tech. It was about changing the entire process. At Scoutr, we realized we needed to combine our advanced technology with a new kind of support — a blend of consulting, user-friendly software, and ongoing guidance. It’s not just about giving people a tool; it’s about helping them understand why being honest and authentic actually benefits them.

Imagine a world where everyone has access to the insights, where tracking your growth isn’t about impressing someone, but about understanding your own journey. In that world, embellishing your skills makes no sense. You want to see the real progress, the small steps that add up to big achievements. That’s the future we’re building.

So, yeah, I was right about the initial problem, but I was way off on how to solve it. I underestimated the power of ingrained habits, the complexity of building a team, and the sheer grit it takes to bring an idea to life.

Here’s what I’ve learned, etched in my memory: Failure isn’t an option, it’s a requirement. Embrace the stumbles, because that’s where the real growth happens. And the people you start with? They might not all be there at the finish line, but cherish their contributions. If you find those rare souls who believe in your crazy mission and are willing to walk the bumpy road with you, treat them like gold. Make their experience meaningful, even if the path isn’t always clear.

Starting a company? It’s tougher than tough. But if you genuinely believe your idea can make a positive difference in people’s lives, please, keep going. It might morph into something you never expected (trust me on this one!), but it could become something truly valuable. And in the midst of the chaos, remember to be kind — to your team, your supporters, and most importantly, to yourself. You’re going to need it.

‍