5 Truths for Entrepreneurs Seeking to Innovate With AI

Artificial intelligence is evolving faster than any other technology in modern history. Every week brings new tools and advances, but real progress comes from determination, patience, and understanding how to apply innovation responsibly. Building meaningful AI systems requires more than technical skills. It requires empathy, experimentation, and a focus on solving real problems for real people.

Here are five core principles that can guide entrepreneurs, technologists, and business leaders as they help shape the future of AI.

1. Start with a real problem

AI should never exist just because it can. The most effective innovations start with a clear, relevant problem. Whether it’s healthcare, construction, education or finance, the starting point should always be people facing the everyday challenges that technology can help solve. By understanding their frustrations and the obstacles they encounter, developers can design solutions that make life easier instead of adding complexity. The goal is not to create a flashy tool but to solve a real problem that people face every day.

2. Expect messy data

AI may appear clean and efficient, but the information it relies on rarely is. In the real world, data comes in all shapes and formats: spreadsheets, images, PDFs, handwritten notes, and incomplete records. Early developments often fail because manufacturers assume that inputs will be standardized and reliable. Accepting that messy data is the rule rather than the exception is the first step toward creating systems that can handle real-life inconsistencies. Designing for imperfections makes the final product much more reliable.

3. Keep humans in the know

Human oversight is essential when developing AI systems. The technology can eventually operate independently, but the path to that point requires constant review, correction, and refinement. Each result must be tested and questioned until it consistently produces accurate and reliable results. This process can be slow and repetitive, but it builds the reliability and accountability users expect. Human judgment remains the foundation of any responsible deployment of AI.

4. Repeat constantly

The first version of an idea will rarely work perfectly. Innovation depends on continuous testing, failure and improvement. Each error provides insight that brings the product closer to reliability. This is especially true in the field of AI, where feedback from real users reveals patterns and blind spots that might not be visible during development. Iteration is not just about correcting mistakes, but also about discovering new possibilities and refining what success looks like.

5. Measure impact, not hype

AI can impress with its capabilities, but success should be measured by meaningful results, not attention. The real question is whether the technology improves decisions, saves time, or reduces stress for those who use it. Progress is defined by results that make people’s experiences better and easier to navigate. If AI doesn’t create measurable improvement in a person’s life or work, then it is just another distraction.

The future of AI

What makes AI most exciting is its ability to bring fairness, clarity, and access to systems that have long seemed confusing or unbalanced. In industries such as construction, healthcare and insurance, there are countless opportunities to make processes more transparent and user-friendly. The same technology that analyzes billions of data points can also simplify everyday decisions, giving individuals more control over the choices that affect their lives.

AI also makes professional-grade tools accessible to the general public. Complex analyzes that once required in-depth expertise can now be explained in simple language. This change democratizes knowledge and puts power in the hands of individuals. Over time, these innovations will help people feel more confident and informed in everything from business to personal finance to homeownership.

Advice for entrepreneurs

For those looking to innovate in AI, curiosity and experimentation are essential. Artificial intelligence is not a single tool but a new language that we are only beginning to understand. The most successful innovators focus on everyday tasks that take too long or cause constant frustration, then ask whether AI could make those processes simpler or more precise.

Innovation begins with observation. Pay attention to what slows people down or creates confusion. Keep testing, keep tinkering, and don’t assume the limits of what AI can do are set. The most transformative ideas often come from applying new technologies in places where they have never been tried before.

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With extensive experience in the construction and renovation industry, Jon Grishpul is co-CEO of GreatBuildz.com—a free service that connects homeowners with reliable, pre-screened general contractors. The company, which exclusively connects homeowners with reputable contractors who have successfully passed its rigorous selection process, also benefits from free access to its BidCompareAI— a home improvement contractor bid comparison tool that leverages artificial intelligence to instantly reveal hidden costs, bid inconsistencies, lack of transparency and more for true “apples to apples” comparisons. GreatBuildz also provides a range of other resources for those looking to repair or rebuild their home, including Renovation Advisors for those needing advice and assistance with any repairs or issues. Jon is also co-CEO of MaxableSpace.coman industry-leading accessory dwelling unit (ADU) design/build/management platform.