Expert Network | Market Research | AI

Expertise in the AI Era: Navigating the Pro Path on enquire.ai

A deep-dive into an AI-Facilitated Expert Network.

Enquire.ai, evolving from its original incarnation as globalwonks.com, stands at the forefront of a transformative wave in the expert consultancy realm. Established in Washington, D.C., in 2018, enquire.ai has been steadfast in its mission to redefine the dynamics of knowledge exchange through cutting-edge technology. Initially carving a niche within the expert network market, the platform made a strategic pivot into the market research sector in 2021. Fast forward to December 2023, and enquire.ai is making waves again with the beta launch of its exclusive Pro platform.

Join me as I delve into a first-hand account of this exciting new offering, exploring its features, potential, and implications for the future of expertise sharing.

Onboarding: A Seamless Transition into Expertise Sharing

My introduction to enquire.ai, then known as globalwonks.com, commenced in June 2021 with a cordial LinkedIn invitation. The outreach was impressive — not only did it succinctly outline their vision and operations, but it also expressed a genuine interest in collaborating with me. A unique touch was their offer to convert my LinkedIn profile into a Globalwonks profile, a gesture that I appreciated for its convenience (and anticipated alignment with their matching algorithms).

The onboarding was a breeze. It involved a compliance overview and a brief test to affirm my understanding of their privacy protocols, which prioritize client and expert confidentiality. The final step was selecting a payment provider, aligning the practicalities with the promise of future engagements.

My first assignment, a Network Pulse, came in January 2022. The question, focused on Thailand, was right up my alley, and I provided an answer promptly. To my delight, not only was my response chosen, but I also received a bonus for its promptness, netting a fee. This wasn’t a retirement fund, but it was a start.

As time went on, I regularly received NetworkPulses, their frequency gradually increasing. While I hadn’t yet been selected for Pulse Calls or Pulse Projects, which offered higher fees, the Network Pulses resonated with my interests. Notifications were efficient via email and their app, and the platform itself was user-friendly, allowing me to focus on delivering quality responses.

My selection for the platform remained somewhat mysterious, as I didn’t receive specific reasons for their choice. However, given my background as a polymath with a BSc in Psychology, an MSc in Finance, and nearly three decades in Management & IT consulting, coupled with my European roots and extensive time in Southeast Asia, I surmised that my profile filled a unique niche in their network.

Over time, my presence on the platform evolved. Client feedback and my answers contributed to a developing profile, appealing to the platform’s matchmaking algorithm.

Upgrade: Beta Testing enquire.ai Pro

In November, an exciting opportunity landed in my inbox: an invitation to join the waiting list for enquire.ai’s Pro Beta version. The platform encouraged sharing this opportunity, offering fast-track access for the referrals (thus softening the invitation-only scheme) and a higher spot on the waiting list as incentives. I found myself well placed (and therefore intrigued), but I chose to keep this news under wraps until now.

On December 18th, my exploration of Pro began. The most striking change was the integration of client and expert perspectives. Now, as an expert, I could also submit NetworkPulses. Additionally, enquire.ai introduced Ayda, a generative AI tool based on ChatGPT, specifically trained with NetworkPulse content. Ayda assists in crafting questions and suggests expert profiles for more in-depth responses.

My experiments with Ayda, paralleling ChatGPT, led to a NetworkPulse submission related to a real-world project. The responses were swift and impressively detailed, reflecting a blend of AI efficiency and expert insights. The platform provided a summary and anonymized expert profiles within 24 hours.

Pro also offers tools for setting up projects and creating a bench of experts, adding value to complex, ongoing queries. While I didn’t engage with PulseCalls or Pulse Projects due to their higher fees, I explored the new networking feature. For the first time, I could see and connect with other experts, including an enlightening interaction with enquire.ai’s founder and CEO, Cenk Sidar.

Pro experts are promised more assignments, some exclusive to this network. My test period included handling several pulses, some seemingly from the platform itself, to understand business sentiments. Another notable feature was the overview of trending topics, a great tool for content marketing or blog inspiration.

The icing on the cake? The Pro Badge for my profile.

My overall experience with Pro was positive, marked by convenience and a polished interface. I collated my findings, including minor issues and ambiguities, and shared them with the enquire.ai team.

Reflection, Conclusion, and My Decision on Pro

The beta test was more than just a trial; it was a window into the future of Expert-AI collaboration.

Enquire.ai’s vision of experts harnessing AI and big data for complex problem-solving resonates with me.

This collaboration model, however, presents its own set of challenges and considerations.

While AI-empowered experts can deliver higher-value responses, potentially at a premium, this also leads to increased productivity and potentially lower marginal costs. The impact on pricing policies and the balance between value and cost will be crucial in determining the platform’s success.

A key consideration is the use of expert contributions to train AI systems. Experts contribute valuable insights yet must subscribe to the Pro version, often without clarity on access permanence or future pricing. This raises questions about the ownership and monetization of AI trained by these contributions. It might prompt a shift towards new business models, such as collectives of experts training their AI systems, challenging existing structures, and potentially influencing market prices for AI-based services.

As a knowledge worker, staying informed about the platform’s evolution and participating in its expert network offers business potential. The true value of Pro, however, remains to be seen. A flexible monthly membership, with options to adjust my commitment level, seems most suitable for now.

I hope you find these reflections insightful, mirroring the intrigue I felt during the beta test.

I encourage your comments and experiences with the platform, fostering a shared understanding of its trajectory.

About the Author

Alexander ran a Business Advisory Firm for more than 20 years. Clients appreciated his out-of-the-box thinking that helped to solve even wicked business problems. His new project is DesignThinking.online | Creative Solutions for more impact, helping managers and consultants design sustainable digital strategies.