How I taught my clients to love AI (and stop saying I’m not techy)

I’ve worked in tech and business for more than 30 years. From launching SMS into Australia to helping regional businesses embrace mobile phones, I’ve seen hype cycles come and go. But this year? Feels different, writes Tracy Sheen.

According to NAB’s 2025 SME Business Insights, 41 per cent of small businesses plan to increase their tech adoption and nearly a third are looking to add AI. For many, 2025 is shaping up to be their make-or-break year for digital. So why am I still hearing comments like these in every workshop, every consult, every community session?

• “I’m not techy.”
• “I don’t have time to learn this.”
• “Everything is starting to sound the same online.”
• “What if my clients think I’m cheating?”

These aren’t throwaway comments. They’re symptoms of something deeper: tech shame. And if we don’t address it, we risk leaving good businesses behind.

Tech shame is real, and it’s holding people back

I’ve heard it from sole traders, CEOs and community leaders: they’re worried they’re not keeping up. They’re smart, capable, and committed, but they feel embarrassed they’ve missed the digital boat. AI feels like one more thing they should know, but don’t. The result? They avoid it. Some even joke about being a “dinosaur” to mask how uncomfortable they feel. Others double down on manual processes because at least they’re familiar. But this mindset doesn’t just slow adoption. It chips away at confidence and the longer it festers, the harder it becomes to lead teams or clients through change.

From overwhelmed to AI-ready: the shift is mindset, not tech

Slowly, the conversation around AI shifting. It’s no longer about definitions it’s about usefulness. Business owners aren’t asking, “What is AI?” they’re asking, “Can this help me save time?” or “Could this draft that awkward email I’ve been putting off?” That’s the window of opportunity and it’s opening more often. When people start with something real and relevant, resistance melts. Whether it’s writing a job ad, summarising client notes, or prepping social media posts, one useful result leads to another. Confidence builds through action, not explanation. It’s not about being an expert. It’s about being willing to try and discovering that fluency follows function.

“Won’t my clients think I’m cheating?”

This one pops up a lot. There’s a genuine fear among business owners that using AI will look lazy or deceptive. And let’s be fair some clients do have strong opinions about human vs machine work. But here’s the truth: transparency builds trust. I’ve seen businesses thrive by sharing their AI journey.

One regional tourism operator told me they were hesitant to use ChatGPT to help write newsletters until they tried it, told their audience what they were doing, and got more engagement than ever. Their clients weren’t judging. They were cheering them on. Learning out loud has become a leadership skill. It’s a way to role model adaptability, invite conversation, and normalise experimenting with tech even when you don’t have all the answers.

AI can be a release valve

Let’s talk time. Most SME owners are flat out just keeping the wheels turning. Between BAS, inbox chaos, and hiring headaches, who’s got room to learn another tool? That hesitation is valid. But it’s also where the breakthrough lives. Every client I’ve coached through AI adoption, especially the hesitant ones, has come back with the same thing: “I wish I’d done this sooner.”

The fear was costing them more energy than the learning ever did. They didn’t need to master a system. They just needed to know where to start. Often that was one small, relevant task like using AI to write a tricky client email that unlocked confidence and momentum. This isn’t about adding more. It’s about doing better with less stress.

Fluency beats fear, and it’s contagious

The biggest shift I’ve seen. Language. Once clients start to play with AI and see real results, their internal narrative changes. “I’m not techy” becomes “Hey, I made a prompt for that!” They move from passive to proactive and it spreads. Their staff take cues. Their clients get curious. And then their community starts evolving with them. That’s how change sticks. Not from pressure, but from permission.

AI isn’t going away. But the overwhelm that surrounds it? That’s optional. If we meet people where they are, and challenge outdated assumptions, we open the door to real transformation. And we do it in a way that strengthens businesses, not scares them into inaction. When people feel safe to learn, they surprise themselves and everyone around them.

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