Introduction: Arriving at the Right Moment
Back in 2001, I walked out of QUT with a degree in hand… and straight into the dot-com boom and bust. It was chaotic. Entire companies rose and fell overnight. People worried about their jobs, their industries, their futures. It would’ve been easy to feel like I’d missed the start of the race.
But for me, that moment of uncertainty launched a 25-year career in emerging technologies. It taught me that disruption creates opportunity if you know where to look and what skills to build.
Fast-forward to today. With AI, the parallels are uncanny. The hype, the fear, the rapid adoption, the skills gaps, it’s the same rhythm, just on a different track. If you feel late to the party, I want you to know something important: you haven’t missed the buss. You’ve arrived exactly on time. And we’ve got a blueprint to navigate what comes next.
Six Echoes from the Web That Apply to AI
The dot-com era gives us six clear lessons that map directly to what we’re experiencing with AI.
1. Productivity Follows Hype
During the early internet years, excitement ran high. But real productivity gains only came once companies matured, applied discipline, and aligned technology with processes.
AI is in that same early phase. There’s buzz, pilots, and flashy demos. The big wins will come when AI is paired with people who understand business processes and problem-solving.
The Opportunity
Don’t just “use AI.” Apply it where it matters. Pair technology with context and human judgment to unlock productivity.
2. Adoption Is Accelerating
The internet took decades to reach scale because of physical limits like dial-up. AI tools like ChatGPT? They hit millions of users in weeks.
The Opportunity
Change is fast, and agility is your edge. The ability to learn, adapt, and experiment continuously will be one of the most valuable capabilities for both individuals and businesses.
3. Compute Powers Progress
Back then, server costs were a barrier. As costs dropped, the web exploded. AI relies on powerful GPUs, and those costs are falling too.
The Opportunity
Efficiency will separate the winners. Skills in optimisation, data pipeline management, and cost-aware deployment will create huge value.
4. Trust Builds Momentum
Online shopping only took off once secure web standards like SSL made us comfortable typing in credit card numbers. AI’s future also rests on trust: privacy, safety, fairness, governance.
The Opportunity
AI ethics, governance, and risk management are exploding fields. Build expertise here, and you’re solving one of the biggest barriers to adoption.
5. Platforms Shape Ecosystems
Open standards like HTML enabled Australian success stories like Seek and Carsales. Today, AI platforms from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic form the foundation for innovation.
The Opportunity
Most value will come from applied AI, building solutions on top of these platforms for industries like health, law, finance, and education. That’s where the growth will be.
6. Graduate Pathways
After the dot-com bubble burst, grads moved from startups into established firms and government, building cross-functional skills. Today’s grads are entering SMEs, consultancies, and the public sector as AI pioneers.
The Opportunity
Stand out by combining technical fluency with communication and problem-solving. This mix builds resilience and relevance in a shifting market.
Conclusion: You’re Not Late
If history teaches us anything, it’s that disruption isn’t the end, it’s the beginning. The AI era is unfolding just like the dot-com boom, only faster. The winners will be those who:
- Pair hype with real productivity
- Stay agile in adoption
- Optimise for efficiency
- Build trust
- Leverage platforms
- Mix technical and human skills
So if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed, remember this: you’re not late. You’ve arrived just in time. And if you start building durable skills now, you’ll be ready to create value, opportunity for whatever the next three months or three years brings.
If your organisation is trying to place AI in its strategy, let’s talk. We’ve seen where the real opportunities are, and we can help cut through the noise.