AI Is Everywhere—So Why Does It Feel Like We’re Stuck in Chatbot Mode?

When I look at how artificial intelligence is being used in business today, I can’t help but feel like we’re missing the mark. As someone who has spent my career developing award-winning, transformative products, I’ve seen firsthand the power of technology to reimagine industries. But despite all the buzz, when it comes to AI, most organizations are still playing it safe, applying AI to automate routine tasks or deploying chatbots to handle basic customer interactions.

"This isn't just a technology problem—it’s also a leadership problem.”

AI has matured into something that could fundamentally change how work gets done. It’s not just a shiny tool; it’s a strategic business enabler. But too many organizational leaders lack either the vision, the imagination, or frankly, the courage to rethink what’s possible. Instead of asking, “How can we completely reimagine our business with AI?” they settle for small, incremental improvements.

We Need to Think Bigger About AI

AI can do far more than answer FAQs or process invoices faster. It’s capable of making predictions, surfacing insights, and even collaborating creatively with humans. But unlocking its potential requires leaders who can see beyond quick wins and have the skills to design systems where AI doesn’t just fit into existing workflows—it transforms them.

For example, consider Talent Acquisition. AI can already analyze labor market trends, predict hiring challenges, and help identify untapped talent pools. But instead of asking, “How can AI help us reimagine the recruiting process?” many leaders stop at using it to screen resumes faster or do matching based on skills. They’re leaving value on the table because they’re stuck in old paradigms of how work is supposed to get done.?

What’s Holding Us Back?

The technology isn’t the issue—it’s available, scalable, and improving by the day. The real barriers might come down to people and culture:

• Leadership Gaps: Too many decision-makers lack the digital skills or creativity to see the bigger picture. They relegate AI as a tool to “fix” a broken process rather than a technology to help redesign the process entirely.
• Fear of Change: Reinventing work requires bold decisions. It’s not easy to challenge entrenched systems or convince your team, or investors, to take risks. But great leaders embrace discomfort in the name of progress.
• Short-Term Thinking: In a world of immediate interest in ROI and financial gains, the near-term potential of AI often gets deprioritized. Leaders need to invest in AI not just for cost savings but to create entirely new ways of generating value.
• Lack of Digital Talent: Many organizations simply don’t have the people who know how to build or scale AI systems—or even work alongside them effectively, and the people who do are sometimes feared, ostracized or ignored.

What Needs to Change?

If we’re going to get unstuck, organizational leaders need to step up and lead from the front. Here’s what that looks like:

• Invest in Digital and Strategic Skills: It’s time for leaders to get comfortable with technology—not as an IT or Product function, but as a driver of business strategy.
• Adopt a Redesign Mindset: Don’t just automate the status quo. Use AI to rethink workflows, job roles, and even how your business delivers value to customers.
• Be Courageous: Reinventing work isn’t easy, but it’s necessary. The leaders who have the courage to push boundaries will define the future.
• Focus on Collaboration: The real power of AI comes when it augments human creativity, not replaces it. Build systems where AI and people work together to solve problems in ways neither could alone.

A Call to Action for Bold Leadership

AI has the power to transform how we work, but it won’t happen by itself. As leaders, it’s up to us to move past the hype and focus on what really matters: rethinking how we create value in an AI-driven world.?

I believe we’re at an inflection point. The organizations that take bold steps now—those that have leaders willing to challenge the status quo—will define the next era of work. The rest will be left behind, tinkering with chatbots while the world moves forward.

If you’re a leader, what’s your next step? Will you step up and reimagine work, or will you take the safe route, wait it out and let this moment pass by?