Expert Dr. Michael Housman Says It’s Time to Get on the AI Bandwagon – or Get Left Behind

Remember Blockbuster? Chances are, if you’re over 40 then you used to spend your Friday nights browsing the New Releases shelves to take a few movies home for the weekend.

Then Blockbuster got eaten alive by Netflix. The upstart company saw the internet’s capability rapidly increasing and went all-in on streaming. You know what happened next. 

According to Dr. Michael Housman, this kind of shake-up is happening again with the arrival of generative AI—only the disruption is way faster than the advent of the internet or social media. 

Michael is a true AI pioneer who has been in the tech trenches for nearly 25 years and built several companies, including one that sold for over $1 billion. Now, with relentless drive and a commitment to telling entertaining stories, he has turned complex ideas about the future of business in the AI era into a terrific book, Future Proof: Transform Your Business with AI (or Get Left Behind).

Michael’s author journey began on stages, where he started out with… not great reviews. But over time, he improved his public speaking, discovering how to captivate audiences, hone his message, and develop an authentic voice until he consistently earned 5-star ratings from his audiences. 

Michael’s attitude towards feedback is impressive. Instead of shrinking from critique, he embraces it, constantly sharpening his craft. “Every talk I give, I learn a little more,” he explained in our interview for The Story Cure podcast. Over time, word of mouth grew, and more speaking opportunities followed without any hard sell, just quality and authenticity. These days, he regularly books keynotes in front of thousands, inspiring executives to dive head-first into the AI future.

Then a speaking agent told him he needed a book in order to solidify his thought leadership and claim even larger stages. Michael approached writing it with the same dedication to excellence that he exhibits in his speaking career. He used AI tools to outline and generate title ideas, but he also wrote the book in his own voice, sharing his personal and clients’ stories. 

“Your lived experience and stories are irreplaceable,” he emphasizes. “That’s what makes your voice unique and your book entertaining." 

Once he’d written the rough draft of Future Proof, he obsessively refined the manuscript, seeking out my expert editorial eye to help revise and deepen the content. Even after that, Michael kept at it, massaging and tweaking. Although AI was a collaborator, the heart of his book is undeniably his stories, insights, and sense of humor.

Here is Dr. Michael Housman’s advice for future-proofers: Dive in and start playing with the latest AI tools today. Everyone should be vibe coding for their businesses. Don't wait for perfect. Get your hands dirty, experiment, and see what sparks. In his words: “Think of AI as a colleague, not a tool. That shift in mindset changes everything.”

For example, with his company AI-ccelerator, Michael used AI to simplify a months-long real estate process into weeks, transforming the industry. Early on, escrow managers, real estate brokers and bankers told him, “AI can never do this work.” The company got acquired for over $1B. Michael's story underscores a core message of the book: AI resistance is temporary, and adaptation is essential.

So, if you've been considering writing a book or building your speaking portfolio, take Michael’s example to heart. Start small, keep iterating, and lean into the improvement process. Your stories, experience, and voice are your greatest assets. AI can help you amplify them, but only you can craft the authenticity.

You can check out Dr. Michael Housman’s new book Future Proof here, and connect with him on LinkedIn to follow his latest insights. Trust me, his book is a quick, engaging read packed with practical advice and stories that stick.

Aloha, 

MeiMei

Writing Tip of the Week:

How to Future Proof 

Advice from Dr. Michael Housman

1. Solicit Feedback

• View feedback as an opportunity for growth.
• Use critiques to refine your skills and message.

2. Embrace AI Tools

• Experiment with the latest AI tools to enhance your work.
• Treat AI as a collaborator, not just a tool.

3. Start Small and Iterate

• Begin with manageable projects and gradually expand.
• Continuously improve and adapt your approach.

4. Share Stories

• Use your unique experiences to create authentic content.
• Focus on storytelling to connect with your audience.

5. Adapt

• Be open to new technologies and methods.
• Recognize that resistance is temporary, and adaptation is key.

6. Develop your Speaking Platform

• Engage in public speaking to hone your message.
• Develop a platform for sharing your insights and expertise