A Simple Rule for What to Automate—And What to Keep Human
Feeling overwhelmed by the pressure to automate everything?
You’re not alone.
Every headline says, "Move faster. Use AI. Automate NOW!”
Meanwhile, many leaders are just trying to figure out what's actually worth automating…
And what still needs a human touch.
That tension is real:
You're not anti-tech.
You're just trying to be smart about it.
So here’s a helpful litmus test. Simply ask:
"Does it have a right answer?"
If so…
Chances are, it can be automated.
What AI Is Already Doing Well
Accounting? Right answer.
Compliance rule? Right answer.
Line of code? Right answer.
These are the areas where AI is already catching up fast.
(Of course, humans are still needed to provide oversight and strategy in many of these sectors. But these categories have lots of individual tasks that depend on right/wrong answer scenarios.)
In fact:
In many of these areas, AI isn’t just assisting—it’s replacing.
Our role is shifting from doing the task… to checking the output.
From writing every formula… to spotting edge cases.
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It’s exciting.
But also a little disorienting.
Because not everything has a "right answer."
And that’s where humans still shine.
What AI Can't Fully Replace
Designing your website?
There’s no perfect answer—it’s subjective.
Dealing with an angry customer?
No script will cover every scenario—It takes empathy and nuance.
These are the areas where AI can support us—but not replace us.
It can suggest…
It can analyze…
It can help us move faster.
But it still needs a human in the loop.
Why This Matters
Too many businesses are trying to automate everything…
And they’re getting frustrated when the results feel off.
So here’s a better approach:
Automate the objective. Elevate the subjective.
Let AI handle the black-and-white.
And empower your team to lean into the grey areas—where creativity, emotional intelligence, and real-world experience make all the difference.
That’s where the biggest human advantage lives.
Empowering Secure Business Growth with Technology | VP of Sales at 5 Point Solutions, Inc.
1moTimely and well delivered, Chris! Great content! Thanks!
Sales Growth Architect✔ Transforming Sales Culture✔ Sales Process Training✔ Sales Management Structure✔ Leadership Coaching ✔
1moChris, this is great insight - thanks! Thankfully I'm in a business where there isn't always a right answer. But there definitely is room for automation in sales, so I want to be the best at advising people in areas to automate as well as what their reps need to get better at to differentiate and compete in a world of Avatars trying to sell.
Vice President Of Business Development at Reboot
1moA.I. could not have said it better! Once again proving that real intelligence Trump's artificial!