The Rise of Flashy AI Frameworks
The Rise of Flashy AI Frameworks—and Why We Need to Be Careful Who We Trust
The other day I came across an aspiring non-credentialed “AI consultant” promoting a shiny new framework. It was wrapped up in big words, sales jargon, and promises of transformation. On the surface, it looked impressive—polished diagrams, catchy labels, and the kind of confident delivery that makes people pause and think, Wow, this must be the real deal.
But when I sat with it, read it again (and again), something didn’t sit right. It was smoke and mirrors. There was no connection to data, no grounding in actual workflows, and certainly no evidence that it would work beyond being a tool to sell the next package.
To be sure, I put it into both ChatGPT and Claude and asked them for their take. Both confirmed my gut: this was jargon dressed up as innovation, designed to convince people they were getting value when in reality, they were being set up for an upsell. This is the danger in today’s AI era.
The AI Gold Rush Problem
Right now, AI is moving fast. Everyone wants in—consultants, coaches, influencers. Some are genuinely learning, experimenting, and teaching responsibly. But others? They’re capitalizing on the hype. They’ve mastered the performance of expertise without ever putting in the work to understand the technology or its implications.
It’s a gold rush, and whenever there’s a gold rush, there are going to be “sellers of shovels” who care more about making their money than whether you actually strike gold.
My Approach: Simplicity, Clarity, and Real-World Application. You’ll always hear me say, try one tool and stick with it for a while. Don’t get distracted by the latest new tools until you’ve at least piloted one.
Here’s what I believe: AI should never be about confusing people with buzzwords or dangling carrots of half-baked frameworks. It should be about clarity, empowerment, and giving people the tools they can actually use to work smarter, serve better, and grow sustainably.
When I teach AI, I keep it simple:
Plain language, not jargon. You don’t need big techy words or to be a tech expert to use and transform your work with AI and anyone selling that should be a red flag.
Evidence and real examples. I show how I use AI in my own workflows—where it saves time, where it fails, and what it actually looks like in practice.
Ethics and accessibility first. It’s not about chasing the shiny thing; it’s about ensuring AI is used safely, inclusively, and responsibly. Everyone needs some basic training in AI. I’m sorry but I see people saying they are using it and know how to using it just not using it in the best way or the safest way. That’s the starting line.
Why This Matters
AI has the power to transform lives, organizations, and communities. But it also has the power to mislead if people put their trust in the wrong hands. The danger of the “flashy framework” consultants is that they prey on the excitement and fear of missing out. They sell you a vision but leave you with no real skills, no real understanding, and no real results.
That’s why we all need to be careful who we rely on for training and guidance in this new era. Ask yourself:
Do they practice what they teach?
Do they show real-world examples, not just theory?
Do they simplify instead of complicating?
Do they center people, not just profit and have a connection and understanding to my industry?
Because in the end, AI is too important to leave in the hands of salesmen with no substance.
✨ My invitation to you: As you explore AI, seek out teachers, guides, and communities who put people first. Choose clarity over hype, practical tools over jargon, and integrity over flash. That’s how we’ll truly unlock the promise of AI—together. Don’t let yourself get distracted or overwhelmed. You just need to take one step at a time.