I’m Mitchell Cookson, the co-founder of AI Tools Inc., where my passion for technology and artificial intelligence drives everything I do. With a deep technical background spanning software development, AI research, and data analysis, I’ve dedicated my career to exploring and understanding the full potential of AI. Over the years, I’ve rigorously tested more than 1,000 AI tools, gaining invaluable insights into their capabilities, limitations, and real-world applications. I specialize in evaluating, implementing, and consulting on AI-driven solutions to help businesses leverage the latest advancements in the field. My mission is to demystify AI for companies and professionals alike, ensuring they stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape. Beyond my daily work, I’m continuously researching and staying updated on emerging technologies, always looking for the next breakthrough that could revolutionize industries.
Company: AI Tools Inc
We are thrilled to have you join us today, welcome to ValiantCEO Magazine’s exclusive interview! Let’s start off with a little introduction. Tell our readers a bit about yourself and your company
Mitchell Cookson: I’m Mitchell Cookson, the co-founder of AI Tools Inc., where my passion for technology and artificial intelligence drives everything I do. With a deep technical background spanning software development, AI research, and data analysis, I’ve dedicated my career to exploring and understanding the full potential of AI. Over the years, I’ve rigorously tested more than 1,000 AI tools, gaining invaluable insights into their capabilities, limitations, and real-world applications. I specialize in evaluating, implementing, and consulting on AI-driven solutions to help businesses leverage the latest advancements in the field. My mission is to demystify AI for companies and professionals alike, ensuring they stay ahead in this rapidly evolving landscape. Beyond my daily work, I’m continuously researching and staying updated on emerging technologies, always looking for the next breakthrough that could revolutionize industries.
If you were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, how would you describe your company, your services or products? What makes your company different from others? What is your company’s biggest strength?
Mitchell Cookson: If I were in an elevator with Warren Buffett, I’d tell him that AI Tools Inc. is dedicated to helping businesses make sense of the rapidly evolving world of artificial intelligence. We specialize in evaluating and testing AI tools, so companies can adopt the best-fit solutions to streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and stay competitive. Our focus is on simplifying AI adoption, ensuring it delivers measurable value to the business without getting bogged down by unnecessary complexity.
What makes us different is that we’ve tested over 1,000 AI tools firsthand. We don’t just talk about AI in theory; we have a comprehensive, hands-on understanding of what works and what doesn’t across various industries. This practical experience allows us to cut through the hype and recommend only the tools that offer real, scalable benefits.
Our biggest strength is our deep technical expertise coupled with our commitment to continuous research. We’re constantly evaluating the newest AI breakthroughs, ensuring our clients are always ahead of the curve. This forward-thinking approach allows us to provide tailored, innovative solutions that give businesses a competitive edge.
Quiet quitting, The Great Resignation, is an ongoing trend causing many businesses to struggle to keep talent engaged and motivated. Most are leaving because of their boss or their company culture. 82% of people feel unheard, undervalued, and misunderstood in the workplace. In your experience, what keeps employees happy? And how are you adapting to the current shift we see?
Mitchell Cookson: In my experience, what keeps employees happy boils down to a combination of recognition, autonomy, and growth opportunities. People want to feel heard and valued, not just as employees but as contributors to a larger vision. At AI Tools Inc., we’ve made it a priority to create a culture where feedback is not only encouraged but acted upon. Regular check-ins, open forums, and leadership accessibility ensure that our team knows their voice matters.
We’re also adapting to the current shift by giving employees more control over their work environment and career development. We’ve adopted flexible work policies, recognizing that many thrive outside the traditional 9-5 setup. Furthermore, we offer resources for upskilling, encouraging continuous learning in AI and other relevant fields. When employees see that their growth is a priority, it naturally leads to higher engagement.
Fostering a sense of purpose is also key. When people feel they’re contributing to something meaningful, it’s easier to stay motivated. At AI Tools Inc., we focus on how our work with AI can positively impact businesses and communities, and we make sure our team understands their role in driving that impact. This not only helps retain talent but keeps them passionate about what they do.
Online business keeps on surging higher than ever, B2B, B2C, online shopping, virtual meetings, remote work, Zoom medical consultations, what are your expectations for the year to come and how are you capitalizing on the tidal wave?
Mitchell Cookson: My expectation is that digital transformation will continue accelerating in almost every sector. As more businesses and individuals embrace virtual solutions, companies will need to innovate rapidly to stay competitive. We are capitalizing on this tidal wave by focusing on developing and refining AI-driven tools that make remote collaboration, e-commerce, and digital service delivery more efficient and personalized.
For the coming year, I see AI becoming an even more integral part of how businesses operate—whether through automation, personalized marketing, or customer service solutions. We’re focusing heavily on AI-powered automation, helping companies streamline repetitive tasks and make more data-driven decisions. This reduces friction in online shopping experiences, optimizes supply chains, and enhances virtual communication platforms, making them more responsive and intuitive.
Besides refining our products, we’re also investing in AI-based customer insights for our clients, enabling them to deliver more personalized experiences to their customers. We are leveraging predictive analytics and NLP-driven tools to help businesses can understand and anticipate customer needs more accurately, which is essential in the fast-paced, highly competitive digital landscape.
We’re positioning ourselves to be a driving force behind these digital advancements by continuing to innovate and explore new AI capabilities that enhance online business processes, making them more human-centric and efficient.
Business is all about overcoming obstacles and creating opportunities for growth. What do you see as THE real challenge right now?
Mitchell Cookson: The real challenge right now is navigating the balance between rapid technological adoption and maintaining a human-centric approach. As AI and automation become integral to business operations, it’s easy for companies to become too reliant on these technologies, potentially losing sight of the importance of personal connection, creativity, and empathy in both customer and employee interactions.
While AI offers incredible efficiency and scalability, the challenge is to ensure that it augments rather than replacing the human touch. Businesses need to focus on implementing AI in ways that enhance customer experiences and employee productivity without making the process feel impersonal or purely transactional. Finding this balance will be crucial for companies that want to grow sustainably in this tech-driven era.
Another major challenge is keeping up with the pace of innovation while managing the risks associated with new technologies, like data privacy concerns and ethical AI usage. Companies need to be agile enough to adopt new tools and approaches but also thoughtful about how these innovations impact their operations and relationships with customers. Successfully overcoming these challenges will open up significant opportunities for growth and differentiation in the marketplace.
In your experience, what tends to be the most underestimated part of running a company? Can you share an example?
Mitchell Cookson: In my experience, the most underestimated part of running a company is fostering a strong, positive company culture. It’s easy to focus on product development, marketing strategies, or scaling operations, but the internal culture often dictates the long-term success of a business. A strong, cohesive culture drives innovation, retains top talent, and creates a sense of shared purpose that keeps everyone aligned, especially during challenging times.
For example, early on at AI Tools Inc., we were heavily focused on expanding our product list and testing new AI tools. What we initially underestimated was the importance of creating a collaborative and supportive environment for our team. We saw that without a strong culture, communication gaps formed, and it became harder to maintain the level of creativity and enthusiasm we wanted from our employees.
We took a step back and prioritized clear communication, flexibility, and team-building activities, which had an immediate impact. Employees felt more connected and valued, which boosted morale and productivity. The positive culture we nurtured became a catalyst for innovation and helped us to move faster as a team. It’s a crucial element of success that can’t be overlooked.
On a lighter note, if you had the ability to pick any business superpower, what would it be and how would you put it into practice?
Mitchell Cookson: If I could pick any business superpower, it would be the ability to instantly understand and predict market trends with pinpoint accuracy. Imagine being able to tap into real-time data and immediately know where the industry is headed next, what customers will want tomorrow, and how external factors will influence business decisions—before they happen.
I’d put this superpower into practice by making informed, proactive decisions, staying several steps ahead of competitors. For instance, at AI Tools Inc., we’re constantly evaluating new tools and technologies. With this superpower, we could seamlessly pivot our strategy to meet upcoming demands before they emerge, helping us continually innovate and deliver products that truly match the future needs of the market.
It would also allow us to better guide our partners and clients, enabling them to anticipate shifts in their industries and position themselves to capitalize on those changes, making us a hub of forward-thinking expertise in the AI space. It would make staying ahead of the curve a certainty rather than a challenge.
What does “success” in 2024 mean to you? It could be on a personal or business level, please share your vision
Mitchell Cookson: Success in 2024, for me, revolves around balance—both on a personal and business level. From a business perspective, success means continuing to push the boundaries of AI and developing solutions that not only improve productivity but also enhance human creativity and decision-making. It’s about leading innovation while remaining grounded in the ethical and responsible deployment of AI. I see our company making significant strides in integrating AI with other emerging technologies, like quantum computing or next-gen cloud systems, to deliver game-changing tools for businesses.
On a personal level, success means growth and fulfillment—building strong relationships, maintaining well-being, and continually learning. I want to strike a balance where I’m innovating and contributing to the field of AI while still finding time to reflect, recharge, and enjoy life beyond work. To me, 2024 is about creating lasting impact through both business innovation and personal enrichment.
