AI can feel … uncomfortable. It’s new, it’s fast-moving, and it’s changing the way we all work. At American Crane and Equipment Corporation, we’ve decided not to wait until things feel safe and familiar before taking action. Instead, we’re stepping into that uncertainty — and discovering how much opportunity there is when you treat discomfort as part of the process.
Recently, we hosted an AI workshop with Chad Harvey, host of the AI for the C-Suite podcast and creator of the online learning hub by the same name. It was a hands-on session designed to get our employees thinking not just about what AI is but challenging them to think of how it can become a practical tool in their daily work. We explored everything from automating time-consuming tasks to brainstorming with AI-powered assistants. The conversation was honest, energizing, and — at times — a little uncomfortable. And that’s exactly what we needed.
Why Discomfort Is a Good Sign
One of the biggest takeaways from the workshop was that discomfort is not a red flag — it’s a green light for growth. The first time you hand off a task to an AI tool, you might double-check its work. The first time you get a machine-generated report, you might question how it reached its conclusions. That’s okay. These moments are how we build trust and confidence in the process.
At American Crane, we’re approaching AI the same way we approach complex engineering challenges: test, learn, refine, and improve. It’s not about getting everything perfect on day one — it’s about making steady progress and staying open to what we discover along the way.
Where AI Can Help
One of the most exciting parts of this journey is imagining all the places AI can make work easier, smarter, and more efficient. By reducing complexity and taking on repetitive tasks, AI creates more time for people to do what they do best — solve problems, innovate, and focus on high-value work.
Building a Culture of Curiosity
Embracing AI is ultimately about creating a culture where curiosity is encouraged. It’s about asking questions, experimenting with new tools, and learning together. If something feels a little uncomfortable at first, we’re learning to see that as a sign we’re moving in the right direction.
Innovation doesn’t happen when we stay in the comfort zone. It happens when we stretch, adapt, and explore what’s possible. That’s what we’re doing at American Crane — and we can’t wait to see where it takes us.