10 Things AI Can’t Do Yet in the Business World 

Things AI Can't Do

10 Things AI Can’t Do Yet in the Business World 

And a Few Things It Surprisingly Can! 

At Jera, we do an awful lot of evangelising about all the weird and wonderful things that AI can do. We thought it was about time we focused on a few of the things that our new AI overlords haven’t quite gotten round to taking over. AI promises to revolutionise everything from how we make our morning coffee, to our grocery shop, to how we run multinational corporations. While AI is certainly impressive, let’s not get ahead of ourselves. Here are 10 things that AI can’t do in the business world, despite what sci-fi movies might have you believe. And don’t worry, we’ll sprinkle in some examples of what AI can do, just to keep things fair.

AI Can’t Master the Art of the Office Gossip

  1. AI might be able to analyse data at lightning speed, but AI can’t do water cooler chat. It still can’t fill you in on the latest office gossip. Who got too drunk at the office Christmas party? Who’s secretly trying to undermine the boss or their colleagues? AI remains blissfully uninfected by office politics and gossip. Sure, it can monitor emails for compliance, but it still can’t whisper, “Did you hear about Susan from accounting?” This might be one of the main things we’re glad AI can’t do. 

  1. AI Can’t Replace the Personality hire

Every office has one. Someone who may not be a rockstar at what they do, but they brighten up the office and keep morale high. AI might crack a few programmed jokes, but it just can’t capture the magic of a well-timed joke or the spontaneous pranks that make office life bearable. AI can, however, generate reports that are about as exciting as watching paint dry. If you’ve ever asked chatgpt to tell you a joke, you’ll know that AI is a long way off replacing the office goof.  

  1. AI Can’t Make Coffee Runs

Alexa, fetch me a latte! Oh, wait, you can’t, you don’t have any legs. While AI can help baristas with brewing the perfect cup of coffee using precise measurements and timings, it still can’t physically run down to the local coffee shop and grab you a much-needed caffeine fix mid-afternoon. Until AI gets legs, you’re on your own. 

Sure, there are robots that can brew coffee, but we’re still a long way from having AI-powered assistants that can navigate busy city streets, place an order, and carry it back to the office without spilling a drop. The humble coffee run is one of those simple pleasures that AI can’t do. 

  1. AI Can’t Deliver a Heartfelt Apology

When you’ve made a major blunder, a simple “Sorry” just doesn’t cut it. AI may be able to generate an apology email, but delivering a heartfelt, sincere apology that conveys genuine remorse? That’s something AI can’t do, and is therefore still a job for a human being who can show real empathy. AI can, however, help draft the apology letter, complete with all the right buzzwords. 

Here’s an apology from an AI chat model: “Dear valued colleague, I have analysed the situation and determined that an error occurred. I regret any inconvenience this may have caused. Sincerely, [your name].” It lacks the emotional depth and personal touch needed to mend fences and rebuild trust. Apologies are about more than just words – they require understanding, empathy, and a genuine desire to make things right. 

  1. AI Can’t Appreciate Office Celebrations

Whether it’s celebrating a colleague’s birthday, a promotion, or just making it to Friday, AI can’t join in with office festivities and frivolities. Sure, it can send out a digital card, make up a funny poem or song, or schedule a reminder, but sharing in the real joy and camaraderie of office celebrations? That’s something only humans can do. AI can, however, keep track of everyone’s birthdays and work anniversaries and send reminders. 

Office celebrations are about more than just marking a date on the calendar – they’re about coming together as a team, sharing in each other’s successes, and building a sense of community. AI might be able to suggest a playlist or order a cake, but AI can’t do the things that make office celebrations memorable. 

  1. AI Can’t Deliver an Inspiring Speech

AI might be able to help you come up with ideas and write a speech, but actually delivering that speech with passion, charisma, and the ability to connect with the audience? That’s still beyond its reach. We have seen deep fakes pop up in recent years, which allow you to put words in the mouth of famous historical figures and celebrities, however when you need to rally the troops or inspire your team, you’ll want a human at the podium, not an AI rendering of Winston Churchill or Homer Simpson. AI can still be a help in speech writing, however, provide the facts and figures to back up your rhetorical flourishes. 

An inspiring speech is about more than just words on a page – it’s about delivery, emotion, and the ability to connect with the audience on a personal level. AI might be able to craft a technically perfect speech, but it can’t replicate the fire in the belly or the twinkle in the eye that makes a truly great public speaker. When it comes to motivating a team or leading a company, there’s no substitute for human presence and passion. 

  1. AI Can’t Mentor a New Employee

Guiding a new employee through their first few days, answering their questions, and offering valuable insights from years of experience? AI can’t replicate that personal touch. Mentoring is about building relationships and providing support that goes beyond data. AI can provide handy onboarding checklists and training materials, but you can’t entrust your onboarding fully to a computer. 

Mentoring is as much about personal connection as it is about imparting knowledge. A good mentor listens, understands, and offers tailored advice that takes into account the unique strengths and weaknesses of the mentee. While AI can provide information and resources, it can’t offer the nuanced guidance and encouragement that a human mentor can. The best mentors inspire, challenge, and help new employees grow in ways that AI simply can’t. 

  1. AI Can’t do the “Human” in HR

While AI can automate many HR tasks, and make life much easier for your HR team, it can’t fully handle the delicate nuances of human interactions, mediate conflicts, or provide career advice with a personal touch. HR requires a deep understanding of people, their motivations, and their emotions. AI can, however, manage payroll, benefits, and even preliminary candidate screenings. 

The clues in the name! Human resources involves humans and at the moment, needs humans to function. It involves understanding the complexities of human behavior, resolving conflicts, and fostering a positive workplace culture. AI might be able to handle administrative tasks, but it can’t navigate the intricacies of human relationships. When it comes to building a supportive, inclusive, and dynamic work environment, there’s no replacement for a skilled HR professional who can bring compassion and insight to the table. 

  1. AI Can’t Organise a Spontaneous Team-Building Activity

AI might suggest team-building activities, but organising a spontaneous office night out or a team building event? That’s where human creativity and intuition come into play. Whether it’s a last-minute happy hour or an impromptu game, AI just can’t capture the spontaneity required. AI can, however, help coordinate logistics for pre-planned events. 

Team building is about more than just following a plan – it’s about reading the room, understanding the needs and interests of the team, and being able to pivot and adapt as needed. AI might be able to suggest activities, but it can’t gauge the mood of the group or come up with creative solutions on the fly. The best team-building activities often emerge from spontaneous moments of inspiration, something AI just can’t replicate. 

  1. AI Can’t Replace Human Intuition

Sometimes, you just have a gut feeling about a business decision, and no amount of data analysis can replace that. AI might give you all the charts and graphs in the world, but when it comes to making a call based on a hunch? That’s something only a human can do. On the flip side, AI can help ensure that your hunches are at least backed by some solid data. 

Human intuition is a powerful tool in business, allowing us to make decisions based on a combination of experience, instinct, and insight. While AI can provide valuable data and analysis, it lacks the ability to make those intuitive leaps that often lead to breakthroughs and innovations. Trusting your gut, knowing when to take a calculated risk, and having the confidence to follow a hunch – these are skills that remain firmly in the realm of human expertise. 

What AI Can Do 

Let’s give credit where credit’s due. AI might have its limitations, but it does a remarkable job in several areas: 

  • Data Analysis: AI can process vast amounts of data in seconds, providing insights that would take humans months to uncover. 
  • Customer Service: Chatbots and virtual assistants handle customer inquiries with ease, freeing up human agents for more complex issues. 
  • Automation: Repetitive tasks are a breeze for AI, from scheduling meetings to managing inventory. 
  • Personalisation: AI tailors marketing efforts to individual preferences, making campaigns more effective and engaging. 
  • Predictive Maintenance: AI can predict when machinery will need maintenance, reducing downtime and saving costs. 

Conclusion 

While AI has made remarkable strides and can handle numerous tasks with efficiency and precision, it still has a long way to go before it can replace the uniquely human elements that make the business world tick. If you want to have a conversation about how much AI can or cannot help your business, don’t hesitate to contact Jera today.