We've gone AI-first (and why you probably should too)

Author

Jeff Sauer
May 05, 2025

What "AI-first" really means

It's been a while.

I won't bore you with a long-winded explanation about why we've been quiet. Life happens. Businesses evolve. And sometimes, you need to step back to figure out what's next.

For us, what's next became crystal clear: we're going all-in on AI-first business.

Now, before your eyes glaze over thinking this is just another AI hype email, let me tell you what I actually mean by "AI-first"...

It's not about replacing humans with robots. 

It's not about building AI companies. 

And it's definitely not about chasing every shiny new ChatGPT feature.

It's much simpler (and more powerful) than that.

AI-first means exactly what it sounds like: AI is the first thing we consult in every aspect of our business.

Stuck on writing something? Talk to AI first.

Unsure how to prioritize your day? Ask AI first.

Need to solve a complex problem? You guessed it—AI first.

We actually started this shift late last year, quietly restructuring how we operate at ProfitSchool. 

But now it seems everyone's catching up.

You've probably seen Shopify CEO Tobi Lütke's now-infamous memo: "We are an AI-first company... Before asking for more resources, ask: can AI do this?"

Or maybe you caught what Duolingo is doing—replacing contractors with AI agents for content creation, effectively becoming AI-first overnight.

The tide has definitely turned in 2025.

But here's what nobody's talking about...

The companies winning with AI aren't just the ones going all-in on fancy AI products. 

They're the ones who are fundamentally changing how they operate, using AI as their first resource rather than an afterthought.

Let me give you a real example from our business:

When I needed to create a new training program last month, instead of scheduling a week of team meetings to map it out (our old approach), we started with an AI brainstorming session. One team member built the entire curriculum in an hour using Google’s Gemini.

Then they built the quizzes, scripts, and more in a couple of hours. 

What would have taken 40+ human hours took just 4.

Did we still need humans? Absolutely. But we started with AI, then brought in our expertise to refine, enhance, and humanize.

That's AI-first thinking.

It doesn't mean "AI-only." Everything that got us here—human creativity, experience, intuition—is still crucial… 

What's changed is the starting point.

And that's what ProfitSchool is now focused on.

Every Saturday, this newsletter will deliver practical AI-first techniques, insights, and strategies you can implement immediately. 

We'll cover:

• AI automation chains that eliminate busywork
• Automation and management techniques that 10x your output
• Real case studies from our community, saving thousands by not relying on hiring contractors or employees
• The tools actually worth paying for (and the free alternatives)
• AI Tools that might just be the missing link for your specific business case

If you're thinking, "I've already heard enough about AI"... I get it. The hype is exhausting.

But what's coming isn't just more of the same. The real revolution isn't ChatGPT writing blog posts—it's the fundamental restructuring of how knowledge work happens.

Teams won’t be growing anymore for most businesses. 

Companies aren't on hiring sprees. The question is no longer "How many people do we need?" but "Why can't AI handle this first?"

You can either ride this wave or get crushed by it.

So that's what we're doing here. Practical, no-BS guidance on building an AI-first business, delivered every Saturday.

If that sounds valuable, stick around. If not, no hard feelings—just hit unsubscribe. I'd rather have a small group of people who really want this than waste anyone's time.

Either way, AI-first is happening. The question is whether you'll be leading the charge or playing catch-up.

Talk soon,

Jeff Sauer
ProfitSchool

Coming Up at ProfitSchool

Monday, May 5 - 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM EDT

Are vague goals sabotaging your progress? Learn the critical art of defining crystal-clear results, transforming uncertainty into actionable steps and unlocking true clarity in your business.

This call is for ProfitSchool Pro Members

Tuesday, May 6 - 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM EDT

Are you viewing challenges as roadblocks or opportunities in disguise? Learn to fundamentally shift your perspective and develop the resilience to transform obstacles into stepping stones for growth.

This call is Open to all Newsletter Subscribers

May 7-8-9, 1:00 – 3:00 PM EDT

Transform Your Service Business with AI in Just 3 Days. The AI-First Business Challenge Will Help You Turn Industry Disruption Into Your Competitive Advantage Without Hiring New Staff or Struggling with Poor AI Results.

This challenge is Open to all Newsletter Subscribers

Thursday, May 8 - 12:00 PM - 01:00 PM EDT

Tired of unpredictable client acquisition? Learn how to approach prospecting the right way with the ProfitSchool Prospecting Calculator, which provides a clear roadmap for sales success. Join our call to see how this tool can help you understand your outreach numbers and convert them into consistent client growth.

This call is for ProfitSchool Pro Members

Friday, May 9 - 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM EDT

Spending too much time on repetitive tasks? Learn how AI and Automation can provide intelligent solutions to streamline your processes, reduce errors, and empower your team to focus on strategic initiatives.

This call is for ProfitSchool Pro Members

AI Tools Of The Week

When you need to build and test an app fast (and your dev team is already maxed out), having an AI-powered workspace that actually understands full-stack development is like having a secret engineering team in your pocket

Limitless AI

Your best ideas hit while you're driving, cooking, or just living life... having an AI that captures everything without making you stop and type is literally like having a second brain

Plaud AI

When inspiration strikes... having a sleek AI note-taking device that actually understands context is like having a personal scribe following you everywhere (and yes, if it feels like I just covered a similar product yesterday, that's because I did!)

Replit

That million-dollar app idea living in your Notes app deserves a shot at becoming real... without needing a computer science degree or a venture capital round

WordPress AI Site Builder

Spending 3 days tweaking your website layout is 2 days and 23 hours longer than it should take. This is WordPress finally saying "enough with the endless customization loops."