By Craig LeGrande, CEO and Founder MainstayÂ
AI = Internet X.O
This Valentine’s Day, let’s talk about a relationship that’s reshaping the business world—AI and the Internet. Just as the early days of the web revolutionized how businesses operated, artificial intelligence is now on a similar transformative journey. The key to success? Understanding how to strategically embrace AI’s potential, just as visionary companies did with the Internet decades ago.
Think back to 1995 when the Internet was still in its infancy. Companies like Yahoo and AOL were just beginning to capture attention, while forward-thinking businesses explored how this new technology could create a competitive advantage. Some, like Amazon, started by focusing on a simple, strategic entry point—selling books online. With steady growth and innovation, it eventually became the world’s largest online retailer and a dominant force in cloud computing. On the other hand, many heavily funded ventures, such as Webvan and Pets.com, failed to survive the dot-com boom and bust.
Today, AI is following a similar trajectory. Industry leaders such as OpenAI, with ChatGPT, and emerging competitors like DeepSeek are at the forefront, attracting massive valuations and shaping the landscape. However, just like the Internet era, AI success won’t be about hype—it will be about smart, strategic implementation.
That’s where the formula AI = Internet X.O comes into play.
- X (Information & Data): The Internet has already built a deep well of knowledge, enabling AI to learn and evolve. Platforms like YouTube, for instance, serve as vast libraries of instructional content, teaching users everything from car repairs to home improvement.
- O (Operational Capabilities): AI doesn’t just provide information; it acts. Whether it’s a software developer using AI to enhance security in their code or businesses leveraging AI for predictive insights, operational intelligence is where AI delivers real value.
By combining the X (social and informational power of the Internet) with O (AI’s operational intelligence), businesses can unlock new levels of productivity and efficiency—an evolution we explore in depth in our latest book, AI-Driven Value Management.
In this book, we highlight how AI-driven strategies are poised to deliver 8x revenue growth by revolutionizing the way marketing, sales, and customer success teams engage with customers. Through agentic AI, businesses will move beyond traditional automation to forge deeper, value-driven relationships with their audiences.
This Valentine’s Day, we invite you to explore how AI and the Internet are the perfect match for the future of business. Visit our book portal to learn more. Wishing you a Valentine’s Day filled with innovation and success!
