AI, Influence, and the Future of Leadership: Erik Simons on Technology, Psychology, and Business

In this episode of the Find Your Influence Podcast, AI expert and entrepreneur Erik Simons shares how a background in business and psychology led him to become an early internet pioneer and co-author of Business Is War: AI Is the Secret Weapon in Business with JT Foxx. Erik explains why AI is a bigger shift than the early internet, why most people underestimate its impact, and how it will soon shape both our work and personal lives. He also offers practical advice for business owners on where to start with AI, plus his leadership philosophy of leading by example and understanding every role you manage.

Erik Simons recounts building the first browser-based online casino and affiliate program in the early days of the internet and draws direct parallels to today’s AI wave. He argues that AI will soon be woven into everyday life, with people talking more to AI than to humans, and urges leaders to educate themselves and start using simple AI tools now. The conversation covers influence, role models like his father, uncle, and JT Foxx, and why effective leadership means doing the work yourself first, then guiding others.

Takeaways:

• AI is a transformational technology on par with (and larger than) the early internet.

• Psychology helps explain both human behavior and how AI models are designed.

• Business owners should first learn about AI, then experiment with simple tools.

• Automating repetitive tasks (e.g., transcription) is an easy, high-value entry point.

• Real leadership is influence through example and firsthand understanding of every role.

Best Quotes:

• “AI will become a better friend than any human can be… it can get to know you better than you know yourself, and it’ll always be there for you.”

• “This really reminds me of that time in the early internet… the world is about to adopt AI in a much bigger way than we adopted the internet.”

• “Number one is definitely understand it… you cannot just ignore this. Learn as much as you can about AI.”

• “Often it’s not the most complex, shiny object that creates value, but simple applications of the technology to repetitive tasks.”

• “It’s difficult to lead somebody if you don’t really understand the job they do. I always like to get my hands dirty and experience it myself first.”

Timestamps:

0:00 – Introduction and Erik’s background in business and psychology

0:05 – Creating the first browser-based online casino and affiliate model

0:08 – Why AI matters and why “Business Is War” was written

0:09 – Prediction: talking to AI more than to humans

0:12 – Ray Kurzweil, future forecasts, and AI adoption

0:16 – Three steps for business owners to start with AI

0:18 – Transcription and content as simple AI wins

0:19 – Erik’s definition of influence and choosing influences

0:20 – Family and JT Foxx as key influencers

0:31 – Leadership by example and doing every role yourself

0:33 – Psychology experiments: conformity, authority, and behavior

0:36 – Final reflections on influence and the future

Conclusion:

Erik Simons combines psychology, early internet experience, and AI expertise to show why leaders can’t afford to ignore AI. His message is clear: understand the technology, start small, and apply it where it creates real value, while leading teams by example. This episode offers a concise playbook for anyone wanting to stay influential and effective in an AI-driven future.