We’re All Beginners Now: Why Curiosity Beats Expertise in the Age of AI

21 January 2026 by

John Speed

AI is moving fast, and no one has all the answers. At Heliocentrix, we’re learning alongside our clients—experimenting, sharing, and supporting each other. Here’s what we’ve learned, what’s coming next, and how you can get involved.

Introduction

If you’d asked me a year ago, I’d have said that after nearly two decades running an IT business, there wasn’t much in technology that could truly surprise me. Yet here I am, Managing Director of Heliocentrix, admitting that artificial intelligence has turned me—and just about everyone else—into a beginner again. The pace of change is relentless, the learning curve is steep, and the old rules about expertise simply don’t apply.

The Overwhelming AI Tidal Wave

At the start of 2025, I knew AI was something to watch. The headlines were everywhere: AI answering questions in seconds, new jargon like “agentic work” and “vibe coding” popping up in every tech blog. But, if I’m honest, I underestimated just how quickly things would move. Despite being “in IT,” AI felt like a big unknown—exciting, but also a bit intimidating.

What really brought this home was the sheer number of new tools and models released in just a few months. We saw the arrival of advanced reasoning models, OpenAI’s GPT-5 and 5.1, Anthropic’s Claude, Google’s Gemini, and a host of others—each leapfrogging the last in capability. Every week, it seemed, there was a new breakthrough or platform promising to change the game yet again. While it was sometimes reassuring to see that AI still struggled with simple tasks, the pace of genuine progress was relentless. Suddenly, I found myself spending an hour a day just trying to keep up—listening to podcasts, reading books, and exploring online demos. Several times a month, I’d see something that genuinely blew my mind.

Coming Up For Breath

By the middle of the year, I realised I wasn’t alone in feeling overwhelmed. Even the so-called experts were scrambling to keep up. There are no “masters” in AI—not yet. The technology simply hasn’t been around long enough for anyone to rack up their 10,000 hours. For the first time in my career, it felt like we were all learning together, regardless of job title or years of experience.

That realisation was oddly liberating. Instead of waiting to become an expert, I decided to embrace experimentation. I encouraged my team to do the same. We started small—testing new tools, sharing what worked (and what didn’t), and being honest about our mistakes. The goal wasn’t perfection; it was progress.

One of the most powerful lessons came when a client approached us for help with reporting tools to support their strategic development. In the past, the amount of work required would have made the project prohibitive. But with AI tools, we were able to mock up designs in a few hours, fine-tune them with the client, and then build the solution with a 60% reduction in development time.

That project was a turning point. It proved that you don’t need to have all the answers before you start. By being curious, willing to experiment, and open to learning, we delivered value that would have been out of reach just a year ago.

“By far, the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it.”

– Eliezer Yudkowsky

Lessons for Leaders: Curiosity Over Credentials

So, what does this mean for other business leaders, especially those feeling out of their depth with AI? Here’s what I’ve learned:

No one is a master: Don’t wait for expertise—start learning by doing.
Embrace experimentation: Small trials can lead to big breakthroughs.
Share your journey: Be open about what you’re learning (and what you’re not). It builds trust and encourages others to do the same.
Focus on progress, not perfection: The landscape is changing too quickly for anyone to stand still.
Build a vision for yourself and your team: In times of rapid change, having a clear vision provides direction and purpose. It helps you and your team stay focused on what matters most, even as the tools and technologies evolve around you.
Address SME challenges head-on: For many small and medium-sized businesses, limited access to specialist knowledge and skills can make adopting new technology daunting. Don’t let this hold you back—seek out practical resources, peer support, and trusted partners who can help you bridge the gap.

What You Can Do Now

Identify one area in your business where AI could save time or improve results, and try a small experiment.
Encourage your team to share what they’re learning—successes and failures alike.
Connect with other business leaders to swap ideas and lessons.
Don’t be afraid to ask for help—no one has all the answers.

Conclusion: The First Step Matters Most

AI is moving fast, and it’s easy to feel left behind. But the truth is, we’re all beginners now. The leaders who will thrive are those who stay curious, keep experimenting, and aren’t afraid to admit what they don’t know. At Heliocentrix, that’s the journey we’re on—and I invite you to join us. Take the first step. You might be surprised where it leads.

For years, there’s been a project I’ve wanted to tackle at Heliocentrix, but the cost and complexity always put it out of reach. Now, with the latest AI tools, it’s finally possible—and as you read this, I’m announcing it to my team for the first time. If you’ve got an idea you’ve shelved because it seemed too ambitious, now might be the time to revisit it. AI is opening doors for all of us.

What’s Next: Supporting Your AI Journey

At Heliocentrix, we know that embracing AI is an ongoing journey, not a one-off project. That’s why we’re committed to supporting our clients and community with a growing range of resources and opportunities in the months ahead:

AI Policy Templates: We’re developing practical templates to help you set clear, responsible guidelines for AI use in your organisation. Contact Us
Weekly AI Video Updates: We’re launching regular video updates covering the latest AI tools, trends, and practical tips—making it easy to stay informed, even if you’re short on time. Watch on YouTube
In-Depth Webinars: Our upcoming webinars will take a deeper dive into AI topics, offering hands-on demonstrations and Q&A sessions to help you get the most from new technologies. Sign Up Here
In-Person Training Events: For those who prefer face-to-face learning, we’ll continue to run in-person training sessions—giving you the chance to ask questions, share experiences, and build your confidence with AI. Sign Up Here

It’s worth remembering that “AI” is a label we tend to use when something is new and unfamiliar. As these technologies become more established, they simply become part of the way we work—quietly underpinning our processes, much like the internet or email did in their early days. What feels revolutionary today will soon become business as usual.

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