When AI Goes Down: Why You Need A Plan B

Imagine your favourite coffee machine breaking down right in the middle of the morning rush. For many businesses, a similar scramble happened recently when several major AI tools — like ChatGPT and Claude — experienced overlapping outages for hours.

This wasn't just a minor glitch; it was a wake-up call. These AI tools have become so integrated into daily operations for many businesses, helping with everything from writing emails to scheduling appointments. When they went offline, it wasn't just an inconvenience; it meant work ground to a halt for some.

The incident highlighted a crucial point for Australian small business owners: just like you wouldn't rely on a single power source or internet provider, you shouldn't put all your digital eggs in one AI basket. Think of AI tools as essential utilities. If one is down, do you have another option to keep things moving?

It’s a good reminder to consider 'failover plans' — backup options or manual processes you can switch to if your primary AI tool isn't working. This might mean having a different AI tool ready to go, or simply knowing which tasks can be done by a human if the AI isn't available. Being prepared can save you a lot of headaches and lost productivity when these powerful tools occasionally falter.