The hype around artificial intelligence has grown over the past few years. Since ChatGPT appeared, many people have adopted AI tools to make their jobs easier. Solving complex, tedious problems, refining texts, evaluating people’s reactions to written words or images, and many more tasks are performed in seconds. Whereas humans might have taken too long and applied too much effort to reach similar results. AI has already proven to be a valuable tool for businesses and individuals alike; we are now wondering whether it is the panacea we have been looking for.

Chip manufacturers, data centre builders and operators, energy providers, application developers, and many other related companies have made or committed to large investments in AI and have promised—overpromised, I might say—great returns to the financial markets, driven by the benefits they promised to their users and consumers.

Recently, some technology stocks have dropped sharply after signs that AI may not deliver as much as expected. For example, a leading AI chipmaker saw its shares fall after earnings showed slower demand for AI hardware, as customers had not yet seen the productivity gains they hoped for. Other big tech companies also faced criticism after launching AI products that attracted investors but failed to deliver on promises, such as providing accurate, real-time information or reliable automation. These examples show that there is still a large gap between what the market expects from AI and what it actually delivers.

Since the earliest tools, technology has helped people work more effectively and avoid dull or dangerous tasks. If a new technology creates more value than it costs, it makes sense to use it. But if the costs exceed the benefits, or there is a loss in value, that technology will not last. Right now, there is little evidence that most AI tools are worth their high cost, and, because they use similar data sources and algorithms, they often produce similar results and become commodities. Now, many AI models are even using content made by other AIs, not just by people.

I am not saying that AI tools are useless now or in the future. My point is that people often think they are worth more than they really are. The problem starts with the name “AI.” These tools are just models trained on large amounts of data, using significant computing power. They are designed to predict and infer from what they already know, not to solve entirely new problems.

Leaders should encourage their teams to think critically about technology and question trends and assumptions. This helps organisations see past the hype and focus on what truly matters for their business. Teams that challenge common beliefs make better decisions and drive real innovation. When evaluating new technology, leaders should consider real productivity gains, total costs, unique value, data privacy risks, and alignment with long-term goals. These steps help ensure decisions are based on real value, not just excitement.

Humans have always been able to create things that never existed before. Many great minds, including Leonardo da Vinci, Isaac Newton, Henry Ford, Albert Einstein, Walt Disney, Steve Jobs, and others, used their imagination to invent what we have today. As Walt Disney said, “If you can imagine it, you can create it.”

I have seen AI tools write music in the style of Bach or Mozart, paint like Degas or Monet, and create music like Bad Bunny or Taylor Swift. The keyword is “like.” Without Bach, Mozart, Degas, Monet, Bad Bunny, or Taylor Swift, AI would have nothing to copy. Human creativity is the main source of anything AI can imitate.
Real solutions begin with human needs and problems and are driven by human creativity. As Henry Ford said, “Nothing is impossible; no one has done it yet.” That is what human intelligence is all about.

Human intelligence will always lead, unless we stop creating solutions to problems and needs. As Henry Ford also said, “If we believe we can, we can; if we believe we cannot, then we cannot.”

We can choose to avoid risk and simply accept others’ choices, even if they do not really solve our problems. Sometimes, AI is used as an excuse to simply go along with what we are told.

Or we can ask ourselves who we really are and reflect on our real goals. Question what others say and look deeper for the best answers for your company and yourself. Instead of following the hype, choose real solutions and deliver results. Lead your organisation to a better place and create value for your clients, shareholders, teams, and yourself.

Rafael Funes
LOVIS