Over the past year, we’ve witnessed a monumental shift in how businesses are thinking about AI. Just 12 months ago, getting companies to even talk about artificial intelligence was tough. Many were skeptical or overwhelmed. Fast-forward to now — the landscape has completely changed.
Today, businesses are not only eager to learn about AI; they’re excited about the possibilities. In fact, many are coming to us asking for help imagining what they could build. And honestly? It’s been some of the most fun consulting work we’ve ever done. Watching business leaders light up with new ideas — like a child seeing something for the first time — is truly inspiring.
When clients come to us with two or three ideas, we move quickly. We don’t spend six months building a perfect solution; we prototype fast, aiming to create working versions within weeks. In AI, six months is like a decade — technology evolves that quickly.
Two major developments fueled this AI gold rush:
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- OpenAI’s release of the “O1” model, capable of real reasoning — not just answering questions but actually thinking through problems step-by-step.
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- The emergence of China’s DeepSeek R1, another reasoning-capable model that shook the markets and made headlines worldwide.
Ironically, while some feared these advances would hurt U.S. companies, they’ve actually driven even more AI adoption. Usage of platforms like OpenAI has skyrocketed because people now understand the power of AI — and they want in.
In this episode with Dr. Alex Heublein, a leading expert in AI solutions and cybersecurity for entrepreneuers, as he shares powerful insights on how small and medium-sized businesses can protect themselves in a rapidly evolving digital world.
But Here’s the Catch: AI Has Also Supercharged Cybercrime
While businesses race ahead with AI, so are cybercriminals. And the threat they pose — especially to small and medium businesses (SMBs) — has never been greater.
In this episode, Alex Heublein, an expert in AI solutions and cybersecurity, outlines how AI are creating both opportunities and new vulnerabilities for organizations of all sizes.
Alex dives deep into the dark side: how cybercriminals are using AI to scale up attacks against smaller companies.
Cybercrime is, fundamentally, a business. Criminal organizations carefully weigh costs and returns. In the past, they mainly targeted high-net-worth individuals or large corporations — aiming for big payoffs.
But with AI reducing the cost and effort of hacking, small and medium businesses have become attractive targets. It’s now profitable for cybercriminals to go after companies that might “only” net $50,000 to $100,000. When the cost of an attack is just a few hundred dollars, that’s an incredible return on investment — for them.
The reality:
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- Hacking attempts against SMBs have exploded in the past 9–12 months.
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- Many businesses are still underprepared, believing they’re too small to be targeted.
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- Cybercriminals often encrypt a business’s critical data — financial records, customer information, internal communications — and demand a ransom for its return.
And when that happens? Many businesses simply have no choice but to pay. Without access to their data, operations grind to a halt — sometimes for weeks. And in today’s economy, even a short shutdown can be catastrophic.
How Small and Medium Businesses Can Protect Themselves
1. Get Serious About Cybersecurity
Basic antivirus software and firewalls aren’t enough anymore. Businesses need a comprehensive cybersecurity strategy, including proactive defenses, monitoring, and response capabilities.
At our company, we don’t just set up protections — we test them by simulating real-world attacks. It’s essential to find vulnerabilities before criminals do.
2. Partner with Experts
Cybersecurity is complex. Don’t try to DIY it. Work with reputable cybersecurity providers who stay ahead of evolving threats. We recommend working with partners who integrate with trusted platforms like Microsoft, which has significantly strengthened its security offerings for cloud environments and AI data.
3. Buy Cyber Insurance
Cyber insurance can be a lifesaver. Many policies will not only cover the ransom payments but also help negotiate with hackers and recover your data. It’s an investment that could literally save your business.
Your 15-Minute Challenge This Week
Take 15 minutes to audit your AI tools and data practices. Is your data training public models? Are your team members using ChatGPT without guidelines? Start by writing down (or Googling!) how to opt out of model training on any tool you’re using. One toggle could protect everything you’ve built. (And if you join my upcoming live webinar on 05/13 on CustomGPTs, I will show you right there!)
Final Thoughts
If you run a small or medium-sized business, know this:
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- You are a target.
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- You can’t afford to ignore cybersecurity.
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- You don’t have to face this alone.
Investing in cybersecurity is no longer optional — it’s critical to protecting everything you’ve worked so hard to build. The cost of protection is nothing compared to the cost of recovering from an attack.
In today’s AI-driven world, the opportunities are incredible — but so are the risks. Stay protected, stay smart, and keep dreaming big.
If this was helpful and you want to know more about AI privacy read Are You Making These AI Privacy and Security Mistakes? or get a copy of How to Unlock Your Voice with ChatGPT to start incorporating AI to your business.
