…I would start a movement called ‘AI for the Rest of Us,’ focused on deploying AI in rural communities, small towns, and non-tech industries. From farmers and fishing guides to mom-and-pop shops, these are the people often left behind in tech revolutions. Let us equip them with AI that speaks their language and solves their problems. That’s part of our mission statement at Digital Sportsman, so we’re taking that head-on and as I used to do during Physical Training, or PT as we called it in the Army, running with the flag!..
Anthony Hamilton is the founder and CEO of Digital Sportsman, where he leads all aspects of strategy, innovation, and growth. Hamilton began his career as a communications specialist in the U.S. Army, where he developed his foundation in leadership and technology. After leaving the military, he held roles in sales, training, and operations at global companies like Cisco, Bayer, MCI, and RTI, gaining critical insight into enterprise-level execution. For the past 30 years, he has pursued multiple entrepreneurial endeavors, including launching award-winning businesses and generating millions of dollars in global revenue in the technology sector. Hamilton obtained an associate of arts in computer studies from the University of Maryland Global Campus. Now based in Florida, Hamilton enjoys fishing, hunting, and exploring the woods and waters he grew up in alongside his three sons. His passions fuel his mission — to make sure the next generation of outdoor professionals have the tools, freedom, and pride to thrive.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share with us the backstory about what brought you to your specific career path in AI?
My journey into AI started in the military, where I served as a Communications Specialist right out of high school in 1993. That experience sparked my deep interest in technology and problem-solving at scale. After transitioning into the private sector and working at companies like Bayer and Cisco, I founded multiple tech ventures, including an Internet Service Provider (ISP) and an IT training company. I realized that AI was not just the next big thing; it was the transformational force that could touch every industry. I became very passionate about making AI approachable and useful for real-world business problems, especially in underserved markets like outdoor recreation and blue-collar industries. Some of these customers are just now moving into the digital revolution, and we wanted to offer them the latest tools from what is widely thought of as a big part of the 4th major industrial revolution.
Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started working with artificial intelligence?
One of the most fascinating moments was reading recently about Amazon deploying its one millionth robot and announcing DeepFleet, a new AI Large Language Model (LLM). Think of an LLM as an advanced computer program trained on a bunch of content, ChatGPT being the most famous to date. They are training DeepFleet to be smart at handling shipping logistics in their big warehouses using their robots as the ones executing the tasks. It was not just the scale that impressed me but also what it symbolized. That milestone proved that AI and robotics are no longer theoretical; they are integrated into the infrastructure of global commerce. It validated so much of the work that many of us in AI have been pushing toward for years. Watching Amazon operationalize AI at that level, from warehouse automation to real-time logistics with DeepFleet, was both a wake-up call and a green light. It showed us what is possible when AI is applied with precision and scale, and it inspired my team to think even bigger about how we bring advanced automation to traditionally overlooked industries like outdoor recreation and local logistics.
You are a successful leader in the AI space. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
Curiosity. Entrepreneurs are curious by nature. I never stop asking ‘what if?’ Early in my career, that led me to explore emerging technology ahead of others, such as virtual training in 2007, years before it was popular. That same mindset drove me to embrace AI well before it was mainstream.
Resilience. AI does not work perfectly out of the gate. One of our earliest models failed in live deployment, and we had to rebuild it from scratch. Rather than giving up, we worked around the clock to get it right, and that perseverance paid off with a product that is now core to our business.
Empathy. The best AI is built for people. Understanding employee and customer concerns, needs, and workflows has allowed me to lead teams that design AI not just for efficiency but for trust and impact. Business is always about the people who drive it, and the people they serve. Show them both you care about them.
Let’s jump to the primary focus of our interview. Can you share a specific example of how you or your organization used AI to solve a major business challenge? What was the problem, and how did AI help address it?
At Digital Sportsman, we don’t just use AI, we structure around it. Our entire organizational chart has AI layered into it, with intelligent agents (or “robots,” as we call them, though they’re entirely software) assigned to core operational functions. These agents communicate with each other, learn continuously, and align their roles to strategic business outcomes, just like human team members would.
What makes our approach unique is that we’re no longer focused solely on using AI to solve problems. Instead, we’ve shifted our mindset to how AI can create new revenue streams for our customers, including fishing guides, charter captains and outdoor adventure companies. One clear example is in our Digital Sportsman subscription business. As our customers, whom we call “Pros”, advance to more feature-rich tiers, the value they receive is increasingly powered by AI.
A great example of this is our AI Dashboard and AI Virtual Assistant Chatbot, which are core components of our Digital Sportsman platform. The Dashboard provides each of our Pros with tailored, real-time business insights that help them make smarter operational decisions. It analyzes their performance, customer behavior, pricing trends, and the future market data, then presents opportunities for growth in a clear and actionable way. Complementing this is our AI-powered chatbot, which acts as a 24/7 assistant. It helps Pros manage their daily operations. Instead of clicking through a few screens and inputting data on a form, Pros can simply chat “Add Jim,” and the chatbot will walk them through the required information and then add the contact, cutting that time in half. Multiply that out over a year and that’s real-world time savings, giving Pros hours of their time back.
What are some of the common misconceptions you’ve encountered about using AI in business? How do you address those misconceptions?
The biggest misconception is that AI is a plug-and-play silver bullet. Many people think it replaces jobs or that it is only for big tech companies. I counter that by showing how AI, when properly implemented, enhances human productivity, especially in small businesses. It is not about replacing people. It is about removing friction and unlocking new lines of business. AI will be everywhere in every business over time. It’s just a matter of when you decide to adopt it as a person or company. Millions of people use it every day and don’t even realize it’s there. That’s another big misconception; some people think it’s a fad, when in reality it’s just getting started.
In your opinion, what is the most significant way AI can make a positive impact on businesses today?
Operational efficiency. AI can help automate tedious tasks, surface insights from mountains of data, and streamline workflows. It gives teams more time to focus on creative and strategic work, ultimately boosting productivity and profitability. AI can get many normal tasks done automatically, and take some to 50% or more, giving you a big head start.
Ok, let’s dive deeper. Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Ways AI Can Solve Complex Business Problems”?
Generating Content. One of the dominant use cases for AI to date has been what is referred to as Generative Artificial Intelligence, or GenAI. AI creates and curates content, products, or services better than most humans on the planet, but is not yet as creative as the best. We are using GenAI in many places in our software, from experience listings to social media posting.
Predictive Analytics. This enables businesses to anticipate customer churn or demand fluctuations before they happen. Example: We are helping customers predict and prevent seasonal slowdowns by offering targeted promotions based on AI forecasts. Most of them know this already, but by automating tasks like outbound targeting from a customer list, this allows them to get ahead of the issue; sometimes with a busy schedule it creeps up on you and it’s too late to do anything about it.
Natural Language Processing (NLP). AI can automate customer support or process documents more efficiently. Chatbots are the current wave of real-world AI use cases being deployed into production every day.
Dynamic Pricing. AI adjusts prices in real time based on supply, demand, and user behavior.
Visual Recognition. AI can review footage, images, or inventory with remarkable accuracy. Example: A hunting outfitter uses AI-powered trail camera analysis to find the right pictures amongst thousands of false positives. A bird, for example, flies in front of the camera when all they care about is deer.
How can smaller businesses or startups, with limited budgets, begin to integrate AI into their operations effectively?
Start small. Identify one repetitive or costly pain point, such as scheduling, customer communication, or inventory tracking, and explore lightweight AI tools that solve it. Many cloud-based platforms now offer AI functionality at little to no cost. Also, lean into platforms with built-in AI, like CRMs or booking systems, instead of trying to build from scratch.
What advice would you give to business leaders who are hesitant to adopt AI because of fear, misconceptions, or lack of understanding?
You do not need to be an AI expert to benefit from it. Start by getting educated. Watch a few videos, attend a demo, or talk to vendors. Begin with a low-risk, high-reward application. The goal is progress, not perfection. AI will become as essential to business as the internet, and early adopters will have a major advantage.
In your opinion, how will AI continue to shape the business world over the next 5 to 10 years? Are there any trends or emerging innovations you’re particularly excited about?
AI will become invisible, deeply embedded into every platform we use. I am particularly excited about GenAI’s evolution into virtual assistants tailored to every job role. Robotics and quantum computing will be the next big areas of massive AI growth. Just like the Internet was one of the foundations for that revolution, so will AI be the foundation for this one. Also, AI at the edge, running directly on devices, boats, or drones, will revolutionize outdoor, agricultural, and remote industries. The person checking you in one day on the dolphin tour will be a robot. That is a game-changer for the kind of businesses we serve.
How do you think the use of AI to solve business problems influences relationships with customers, employees, and the broader community?
When done the right way, AI strengthens trust. Customers get faster and more personalized service 24/7. Employees are freed from drudgery and empowered to do more meaningful work. Communities benefit when local businesses thrive through technology that helps them stay competitive with larger players.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people through AI, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger.
I would start a movement called ‘AI for the Rest of Us,’ focused on deploying AI in rural communities, small towns, and non-tech industries. From farmers and fishing guides to mom-and-pop shops, these are the people often left behind in tech revolutions. Let us equip them with AI that speaks their language and solves their problems. That’s part of our mission statement at Digital Sportsman, so we’re taking that head-on and as I used to do during Physical Training, or PT as we called it in the Army, running with the flag!
Thank you so much for sharing these important insights. We wish you continued success and good health!
Anthony Hamilton Of Digital Sportsman On How Artificial Intelligence Can Solve Business Problems was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.