The Role of AI in Modern Business
UK-based business owner Sean McDonnell relies heavily on artificial intelligence (AI) for his web design business and SaaS website. As the founder of Kaizen, a web design company, and Consigns, a SaaS platform that helps companies track their waste, he has found AI to be an indispensable tool in streamlining operations and enhancing productivity.
McDonnell’s journey into the world of AI began when he launched his web design business earlier this year. This led him to develop a software solution that aids companies in managing their waste more efficiently. Running both ventures with his partner, they rely on contractors for certain aspects of operations and software development. In such a small team, AI tools have become essential in handling repetitive tasks and accelerating development cycles.
A Disruptive Moment with Fable
Last week, McDonnell came across several online posts highlighting the impressive capabilities of Anthropic’s new Fable model. Intrigued by its potential, he decided to give it a try. However, his experience was cut short when the US government ordered Anthropic to restrict foreign access to Fable 5, leaving him mid-task with little to no warning.
This incident served as a stark reminder of the vulnerabilities that come with relying on AI tools. “The rug got pulled from under me pretty quickly, but because I was well-prepared, it didn’t have a huge disruptive impact on my business,” McDonnell reflected. He emphasized the importance of having backup plans, especially when dealing with AI tools that can be affected by external factors beyond one’s control.
The Limitations of AI Tools
While Fable was shut down abruptly, McDonnell had previously encountered similar issues with other AI models. For instance, when using Opus 4.6, the tool would often stop mid-task due to hitting the token limit too quickly. This left their codebase in a disarray, forcing them to rework significant portions of their project.
To avoid such setbacks, McDonnell and his team have learned to be proactive. When they initiated a product review last week, they asked Fable to create a guide that could be followed by other AI models like Claude or Codex. This approach allowed them to transfer remaining tasks to alternative tools when Fable became unavailable. By diversifying their reliance on AI, they were able to mitigate the impact of the disruption.
The Importance of a Backup Plan
The Fable incident reinforced McDonnell’s belief that businesses cannot fully depend on AI. “If the government were to shut off AI access completely, our business wouldn’t end, because we’ve already built out our platform, but we are quite dependent on AI,” he said. A complete shutdown of AI access would likely increase costs, as they would have to revert to traditional methods of hiring developers.
In today’s AI-driven era, having a plan B is crucial. McDonnell advised entrepreneurs to not rely solely on one AI tool. Instead, they should understand the strengths of different models and ensure that critical information is documented outside of AI systems. “If Claude knows all about our code base, but it gets pulled tomorrow, would I be able to give that over to a developer?” he asked. At this stage, he believes he could, thanks to consistent documentation throughout the development process.
Government and Industry Collaboration
A spokesperson from the White House mentioned that the Trump administration is working with AI industry leaders to balance innovation with national security concerns. While this collaboration aims to protect interests, it also highlights the unpredictable nature of AI tools that may be subject to regulatory changes.
Anthropic did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the matter.
Final Thoughts
McDonnell’s experience underscores the need for resilience and adaptability in the face of technological disruptions. As AI continues to shape the business landscape, founders must remain vigilant and prepared for the unexpected. Whether it’s through diversifying AI tools, maintaining thorough documentation, or developing contingency plans, the key to success lies in being proactive rather than reactive.