The hot take is that AI floods inboxes with low-effort outreach. The quieter shift is more interesting: people who use AI well are showing up to conversations more prepared, more often, and with better context.

Research is now table stakes

Showing up to a call without skimming someone's recent posts used to be normal. Now it's a signal. AI lets you do real research in two minutes — and the people you're meeting can tell.

Generic outreach died (finally)

Recipients can spot template language at a glance. Personalization isn't a nice-to-have; it's the only thing that earns a reply.

The follow-up is the work

AI can draft the intro. The follow-up — the note that references something specific from the call — is where relationships are actually built. Don't outsource that part.