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Forbes
4 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
AI:Your New Business Partner? Why That's More Dangerous Than You Think
Anastasia Paruntseva, Founder & CEO of Visionary Partners Ltd. Global expansion expert, book author, with 15+ years in tech, AI & robotics. Imagine this: You're working on a high-stakes business decision, and instead of bouncing ideas off your seasoned business partner or trusted colleague, you turn to your AI companion. AI's got more superpowers than a Marvel superhero—minus the spandex. It crunches numbers, suggests strategies and seems to have the perfect solution every time. No drama, no judgment, just pure efficiency. Sounds like the dream assistant, right? But here's the catch: As AI starts to take over roles once filled by real humans, it's raising some serious questions about the future of business. The Evolution Of AI: From Sci-Fi To Reality I've been in the tech world for over 15 years, long before AI became the all-powerful buzzword it is today. Back then, AI was all about machine learning and robotic process automation (RPA), designed to automate those soul-sucking tasks like copy-pasting and data entry. You know, the things we all wish we didn't have to do. Fast forward to today, and AI is now making critical decisions in business, science and even personal relationships. It's not just about automating anymore; it's becoming the go-to problem solver. But as we hand over more responsibilities to AI, here's the question that keeps me up at night: What happens when we let a machine make the big calls? AI: The New Co-Worker? Let's face it: AI isn't just here to help with busywork. It's slowly inching its way into roles once reserved for humans—like being your co-worker or business partner. Sure, AI doesn't cancel meetings or back out of deals last-minute. AI will never bail on you at 5 p.m. on a Friday when the boss asks for a report. We could all use a little more of that energy in our human co-workers. But what happens to our ability to collaborate, problem-solve and get creative when we start depending on a machine to do all the thinking for us? Can AI assistants really replace the human touch in business? Or are we just letting efficiency kill the heart of entrepreneurship? The Dark Side Of AI Dependence: We're Hooked Why are we all so enamored with AI? Because let's be honest, it can seem like the perfect partner, both at and outside of work: instant feedback, zero judgment and constant availability. You've seen the memes: "I'm dating GPT because it gets me better than my real partner." It's funny, right? Except it's not that far off. A study published on arXiv analyzed over 30,000 conversations with AI chatbots like Replika and And what did they find? People are forming real emotional bonds with these bots. And that has some downsides. A study from the Journal of Medical Internet Research found that while AI chatbots provided short-term relief from loneliness and social anxiety among university students, heavy use made the students emotionally dependent on the bots. Similarly, research from OpenAI and MIT Media Lab revealed that heavy users of ChatGPT tend to feel more isolated and emotionally dependent on the tool, with fewer offline social connections. While AI might offer immediate comfort, it's stunting our ability to form authentic, messy and imperfect relationships with other humans. Why Real Business Partners Matter Meanwhile, in the business world, AI promises efficiency: endless, stress-free productivity. But while it's easy to get lost in the instant gratification AI offers, what we're actually doing when we rely on it for work is outsourcing our intuition, our creativity and, yes, even our sanity. AI can handle data, optimize processes and provide quick insights. But can it replace a true business partner? Not a chance. A real partner brings something AI just can't: intuition. When the stakes are high and decisions are tough, you need the human touch. AI might excel at crunching numbers, but it can't offer the lived experience, creativity or adaptability required to navigate the messy realities of the business world. Real business partnerships are about more than data; they're about trust, collaboration and the willingness to take risks together. AI can't replicate that. Don't Let AI Replace What Really Matters AI is a powerful tool, but no machine can replace the richness, depth and creativity that humans bring to the table. While AI can streamline decisions and improve operations, it can't offer the collaboration and insight that only a real business partner can provide. So, before you start depending on AI assistants for your business decisions, take a moment. Real-world success is built on human connections: creativity, adaptability and, yes, sometimes even failure. Let AI help, but remember: The best partnerships will always be human. Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?
Forbes
15-07-2025
- Business
- Forbes
20 Common Pitfalls Of Automation (And How To Avoid Them)
getty Automation can unlock major gains in efficiency and productivity, but only when it's implemented thoughtfully and strategically. If companies rush to automate without fully understanding the processes, people or goals involved, it can lead to costly missteps and resistance from teams. Beyond the right tools, a successful rollout requires clear communication, change management and a human-first mindset. Below, Forbes Coaches Council members share the biggest mistakes they see in automation rollouts and what you can do instead. One big mistake is treating automation like a silver bullet instead of a strategy. I've spent years in automation, and I've seen too many companies plug in tech without rethinking the process. The result? Faster chaos. To do it right, map the workflow, involve the humans and automate with intent, not just ambition. Tech should simplify, not confuse. - Anastasia Paruntseva, Visionary Partners Ltd. One mistake that companies make is attempting to automate a broken workflow, which results in an ineffective automated workflow. To gain real benefits from introducing automation into workflows, organizations need to first optimize existing workflows to ensure that they are operating effectively. Then, automation can be introduced to further streamline the workflows and gain efficiencies. - Peju Adedeji, Your IT Career People need context for making changes. Simply introducing automation without the 'why' behind it can be a big mistake. Let people know what is happening and how automation impacts them. Most people want to see processes improve, and providing context can engage them in the change in workflows. - Evan Roth, Roth Consultancy International, LLC. 4. Failing To Achieve Employee Buy-In A key downside of automation is the lack of employee buy-in. Without understanding or agreement, staff may resist, harming morale and productivity. Automation should support, not replace, people. Involve employees early, train them thoroughly and keep human oversight in sensitive areas to ensure efficiency while preserving trust and workplace culture. - Gabriel McCurtis, TMINI Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify? 5. Forgetting The People Behind The Process The biggest mistake is forgetting the people behind the process. Many organizations rush to implement tech without considering the impact on employee workflows, morale or training needs. Automation should enhance human potential, not replace it. Involve your team early, communicate the 'why' behind the change and provide the training and support needed to build confidence. - Jessica Miller-Merrell, Workology 6. Focusing On Bells And Whistles One big mistake is too much focus on bells and whistles and too little on the human impact. Humans tend to resist change. Add in the additional variable of automation, and people start to worry about job security. Or, they feel that their previous efforts have been of low value if they can be automated. Focus on the idea that automation can free up time for people to contribute at a higher level. - Kathy Bernhard, KFB Leadership Solutions 7. Overwhelming Users Automation fails with one word: overkill. When employees are bombarded with reminders, they start ignoring them. When customers are flooded with requests for feedback, they stop replying. When companies send endless messages to complete one small, simple task, recipients start ignoring them. The way to solve the problem of automation overload? One more word: simplify. - Joelle Jay, Joelle K. Jay 8. Automating Judgment Instead Of Labor Failure happens when companies automate human judgment instead of human labor. Companies rush to replace decision-making rather than eliminate repetitive tasks. I helped a client identify and separate 'thinking work' from 'doing work'—automating the latter while enhancing the former. Smart automation doesn't replace human creativity, it amplifies it. - Nirmal Chhabria 9. Ignoring Employee Input Automation training often skips employee input. This lack of involvement reduces their buy-in. People feel left out and resist change. Including them in the process boosts acceptance and engagement. - Laurie Sudbrink, Lead With GRIT 10. Not Identifying A Clear Problem It's a mistake to introduce automation without clearly identifying the problem it should solve. Companies often rush to implement the latest tech without understanding its relevance. To do it better, they should first thoroughly analyze the problem, then seek solutions that specifically address it, ensuring the technology aligns with their actual needs and objectives. - Aurelien Mangano, DevelUpLeaders 11. Misrepresenting The 'Why' Misunderstanding or misrepresenting the 'why' is a big problem. I have seen too many leaders come into a new organization with the goal of automation, but they cannot effectively articulate why it is beneficial for these workflows and who it really serves. Automation needs to be marketed to the internal customer as well as the external. When communicated well, it's much more effective and easily adopted by the culture. - Kari Parker, Connections Focused Consulting 12. Undercommunicating In Change Management Automation requires change management. We have learned that the biggest mistake during a change management process is not enough communication. When you are planning an automation rollout, an internal communication plan needs to be prioritized and adhered to. Overcommunicating is never as much of a liability as undercommunicating. - Antonia Bowring, ABstrategies LLC 13. Failure To Rehumanize The Work A common mistake is failing to rehumanize the work in parallel. Efficiency becomes the goal, but at the cost of meaning. When companies implement automation to people rather than with them, they erode engagement. Co-designing automation with employees invites ownership, preserves purpose and affirms dignity—because progress without participation breeds resistance, not resilience. - Cheri Rainey, Rainey Leadership Learning 14. Neglecting To Prepare Leaders Too often, companies introduce a drive to automate without preparing their leaders or teams. Change isn't just technical; it's neurological. Using brain-based assessments can help organizations align automations, such as using AI, with leadership development, emotional resilience and real behavior change. When leaders are ready, automation becomes a catalyst, not a conflict. - Sahar Andrade, Sahar Consulting, LLC 15. Not Allowing For Different Learning Styles And Paces The biggest mistake companies can make when introducing automation into their workflows is embracing the idea that all leadership, staff pool and contract employees will learn and accept it at the same pace. People, in general, are creatively driven or brain-driven. A creatively structured explanation with examples, allowing the time necessary, is essential to workflow fluidity. - J.K. Dickinson, J.K. Dickinson & Associates 16. Not Understanding The Human Interactions Involved A big mistake companies make is automating processes without first deeply understanding the human interactions involved. Automation should amplify human potential, not replace meaningful connection. Companies succeed by first mapping human workflows, identifying emotional and relational touch points, and then thoughtfully integrating automation to enhance, not diminish, these interactions. - Rachel Weissman, Congruence 17. Not Creating A Clear Roadmap Automation without a clear roadmap, with the purpose of clarifying the desired outcomes you want from the automation, will only create chaos and magnify inefficiencies. Companies must first ask, 'What is the desired outcome of this automation?' and then create a simplified workflow that achieves this outcome. - Aaron Marcum, Breakaway365 18. Automating Without Analyzing The Workflow One big mistake companies make is automating without first analyzing, optimizing or rethinking the workflow. They risk locking in inefficiencies or outdated habits. A better approach: Step back, challenge assumptions, redesign for clarity and value, and then automate. Done right, automation becomes a tool for progress, not just speed. - Stephan Lendi, Newbury Media & Communications GmbH 19. Seeing Automation As A Mere Tech Upgrade Executives often delegate automation as a tech upgrade instead of leading it as a business transformation. The better approach: Tie automation to strategic outcomes, redefine value-creating roles and model the mindset shift from efficiency to evolution. Sponsor it by hosting cross-functional reviews that connect tech changes to tangible business and customer outcomes. - Mel Cidado, Breakthrough Coaching 20. Ignoring How Humans Work And Changing Expectations I lived this one! The automation was flawless. The problem ignored was that it changed how human beings got work done, so performance expectations changed. Implementation of automation isn't just about software design, but also behavioral change. People don't like to be told how to do a job they've been doing for years. - Ira Wolfe, Poised for the Future Company
