AI vs Automation: Assisted Intelligence vs True AI - Shaping the Future

Published Date : 05/01/2025 

OpenAI outlines new for-profit structure in bid to stay ahead in the AI race, but what are the real differences between assisted intelligence and true AI in the business world? 

David Clee, CEO and Founder of MirrorWeb, argues that AI isn’t currently something that will replace human intelligence; it is a powerful tool that can enhance our abilities.

Over the last four years, AI capabilities have expanded beyond our imaginations, with many of our most productive and established sectors adopting AI solutions to stay competitive and increase profitability.

Organisations across the globe are aiming to implement AI solutions to streamline their operations swiftly, leapfrog their competition, and strengthen their position in the market.

When the potential of AI is framed like that, it’s hard to imagine a CEO who would pass up such opportunities.

AI is enabling remarkable things in the business world.

The advancements over the past few years are astounding, but as business leaders, we need to ask ourselves a crucial question Is the AI we’ve come to rely on actually 'artificial intelligence,' or is it more accurately described as 'assisted intelligence'? In my opinion, the answer is no.

If we take a moment to reflect on what AI actually does today, it becomes clear that 'Artificial Intelligence' should be labelled 'Assisted Intelligence.' Machine learning and natural language processing have greatly reshaped both our professional and personal lives, with 75% of knowledge workers using AI at work.

However, the concept of true AI—systems that can think and make decisions independently—is still more of a dream than a reality.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

Many businesses don’t need true AI yet.

They are often just looking for ways to manage the vast amounts of data they have to process and analyse daily.

In fact, 53% of employees are overwhelmed by the sheer volume of data at work, which hinders their ability to think strategically.

So, what is the solution? Organisations need tools that can sift through this data noise and provide clear, actionable insights to help their workforce think more strategically.

The uncertainty surrounding AI is significant.

Did you know that AI could potentially increase global corporate profits by $4.4 trillion annually? It’s no wonder business leaders are excited about the profitability aspects of AI, especially in terms of enhancing efficiency and improving decision-making.

However, this eagerness to innovate can be met with uncertainty, often from risk-averse CFOs or compliance officers.

While AI tools, especially large language models, can quickly sift through and analyse large amounts of data, they don’t always make their decision-making process transparent.

This can be particularly problematic for compliance teams.

For instance, compliance teams have seen a massive increase—up to 10 to 15 times—in the amount of data they need to review over the last decade and a half.

The idea of AI flagging noncompliant behavior is incredibly attractive, but the industry is still working on the best ways to implement AI for compliance tasks.

Regulators are also still figuring out how data generated by chatbots fits within existing regulatory frameworks.

Compliance professionals are busy ensuring they have the necessary data to make the required changes.

Compliance is a meticulous discipline, and trying to target something that’s constantly evolving can be overwhelming and stressful.

Another major challenge organisations face is the lack of transparency in how AI makes its decisions.

Questions inevitably arise about the origin of the information and whether it’s accurate or ethically sourced.

This uncertainty poses significant challenges for companies, especially those in tightly regulated industries like the financial sector.

They must ensure that AI outputs align with regulatory requirements to lower the risks of falling out of compliance, particularly with the expected rise in machine-generated content.

For example, FINRA released updated FAQs in May 2024, clarifying its stance on AI-generated content and emphasizing that regulatory standards still apply.

Essentially, organisations remain accountable for their outputs, whether created by humans or AI.

The bottom line is that AI innovation for businesses is not easy, but it should start with a clear vision.

This vision should focus on how AI can tackle operational challenges while seizing growth opportunities, carefully weighing the risks of non-compliance against the significant benefits AI can deliver.

Despite the challenges, there are plenty of opportunities for businesses willing to navigate the complexities of AI adoption.

As organisations increasingly recognise specific business needs, they will be able to tailor AI to assist them in extracting meaningful insights from their data.

Over the next 12 months, we should expect to see significant advancements in AI innovation, making AI solutions more intuitive and user-friendly.

This will enable organisations to use these tools more efficiently and effectively, integrating them into their workflows to gain a competitive advantage.

We are also going to see a growing demand for ethical AI practices.

Organisations that prioritise transparency and accountability in their AI investments will be well-positioned to earn the trust of their clients, stakeholders, and regulators.

It’s not only about meeting regulatory standards; it’s also about fairness and equity.

Businesses are at a crossroads when it comes to AI.

It’s important to recognise that right now, we’re still in the phase where assisted intelligence takes the lead, and human oversight is still incredibly vital.

We haven’t reached the end game with AI, and as we prepare for the year ahead, we need to remember that AI isn’t currently something that will replace human intelligence.

It is a powerful tool that can enhance our abilities. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS):

Q: What is the difference between Assisted Intelligence and True AI?

A: Assisted Intelligence refers to AI systems that augment human capabilities, providing tools to enhance productivity and decision-making. True AI, on the other hand, involves systems that can think, reason, and make decisions independently, which is still more of a future goal rather than a current reality.

Q: How can AI increase global corporate profits?

A: AI can increase global corporate profits by enhancing efficiency, improving decision-making, and enabling organisations to process and analyse large amounts of data more effectively, leading to better strategic insights and operational improvements.

Q: What are the main challenges in implementing AI for compliance tasks?

A: The main challenges include the massive increase in data that needs to be reviewed, the lack of transparency in AI decision-making processes, and the need to align AI outputs with regulatory requirements, which are still evolving and can be complex.

Q: Why is transparency in AI decision-making important?

A: Transparency in AI decision-making is crucial to ensure that the information and decisions generated by AI systems are accurate, ethically sourced, and aligned with regulatory requirements. It helps build trust and accountability, which are essential for gaining the confidence of clients, stakeholders, and regulators.

Q: What can businesses do to navigate the complexities of AI adoption?

A: Businesses can start with a clear vision of how AI can address specific operational challenges and seize growth opportunities. They should carefully weigh the risks of non-compliance against the benefits of AI and ensure that their AI investments are ethical, transparent, and aligned with regulatory standards. 

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