From Spreadsheets to AI: The Evolution of Business Intelligence

By Doug Schiller April 1, 2026 Data & Analytics

The Early Days

When I wrote my first Z-80 assembler game in high school, the idea that computers would one day drive business decisions seemed far-fetched. Fast forward through decades of Excel, VBA, Access databases, and now AI-driven analytics.

The Excel Era

Excel remains one of the most powerful tools in business. With PowerQuery, PowerPivot, and DAX, it has evolved far beyond simple spreadsheets. My work at ExcelPatterns.com explores innovative uses of Defined Names that make complex workbooks manageable.

The Rise of AI-Driven BI

This is why I founded CrushErrors.com — to bridge the gap between raw data and actionable intelligence. Traditional BI tools require significant setup and expertise. AI-driven approaches can automatically clean data, identify patterns, and surface insights that would take analysts weeks to find.

What Makes AI Different

Looking Forward

The companies that embrace AI-driven business intelligence today will have a significant competitive advantage tomorrow. The key is not replacing human judgment, but augmenting it with better data.

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