Is AI a shiny new toy?
Prophit Systems
Prophit Systems is the leading provider of supply chain software to the manufacturing sector.
Most anyone that has had a chance to use ChatGPT has got every right to be impressed. The breadth of use cases that this technology could be applied to is stunning.
While the potential appears vast it is important to recognize that AI in many cases cannot be a replacement for human involvement but rather a tool that can assist in solving components of complex problems.
In many cases, AI systems can handle specific tasks and provide valuable insights or automation. For example, cruise control in cars is a form of AI that helps maintain a constant speed, but it still requires human oversight and intervention for steering, braking, and handling unexpected situations. AI can excel in narrow and well-defined domains, but it may struggle when faced with ambiguous or unfamiliar situations that require human judgement and intuition.
When dealing with complex problems that involve multiple options and require weighing various factors, human interaction and decision-making play a crucial role. While AI can provide some assistance by analyzing data, identifying patterns, or generating options, the final decision is often best made by humans who can consider a broader range of factors, including customer preferences, upcoming promotions, machine maintenance and breakdowns, and other extraneous supply chain issues.
It is worth noting that one size does not fit all when it comes to AI solutions. Different problems require tailored approaches, and AI systems need to be designed and trained specifically for the task at hand. Furthermore, even within a given problem, AI might excel in certain aspects or subtasks but struggle in others, reinforcing the need for human involvement to ensure more informed and comprehensive decision-making.
In summary, AI can be a powerful tool in tackling some complex problems, but it is not a substitute for human decision-making and involvement. Human judgement, critical thinking, and contextual understanding are crucial for making well-informed decisions, especially when faced with diverse options or when considering the broader implications of a problem.
Tim Gray
Founder and Managing Director
Prophit Systems