UH-OH and AI
Mistakes happen.
Sometimes they teach us invaluable lessons, and other times, they leave us muttering, "Well, that was an expensive lesson."
When it comes to AI, the cost of an "UH-OH" moment can be measured in lost time, wasted resources, or even damaged trust.
But what if we flipped the script? What if mistakes, our own or others', became our greatest mentors?
Allow mistakes to be your mentor.
What Does an AI UH-OH Cost You?
Imagine relying on AI to handle something crucial, like customer service, content creation, or strategic planning, only to realize too late that the output was inaccurate, misleading, or just plain wrong. AI is a powerful tool, but it isn’t foolproof. It requires human oversight, critical thinking, and an ability to recognize when something isn’t quite right.
Learning Through Experimentation
During a discussion on AI, a colleague recently shared how she planned her upcoming vacation using ChatGPT. She entered details of where she wanted to go and what she wanted to do, and AI created an entire itinerary. But when she checked with her husband, his preferences shifted the plan. Back to ChatGPT she went, no frustration, no pushback, just a fresh itinerary. The AI had no limit on revisions, no eye rolls, no additional costs.
Now, imagine the same scenario with a travel agent. There might be limits on how many revisions are included, or a sense of guilt creeping in about "being too picky." AI, however, gives people the freedom to iterate, test, and refine, essentially making mistakes until they land on the perfect outcome. It’s a lesson in trial and error without the emotional baggage.
Now, apply that to business. A leader rolls out a new strategy using AI-generated data and insights, only to find resistance from the team or unintended gaps in execution. With a traditional consultant or advisor, revisions might be costly, time-consuming, or limited in scope. With AI, leaders can iterate quickly, tweak strategies based on real-time feedback, and experiment without fear of being labeled indecisive. The key is to treat AI like an adaptive tool rather than an absolute authority and utilize it to refine decisions rather than dictate them.
Don't let AI become your next UH-OH experience.
How to Fix an AI UH-OH
If you do experience an AI misstep, here’s how to course-correct:
- Assess the Damage – Was the mistake minor, or did it impact customers, employees, or brand trust?
- Identify the Root Cause – Was it a lack of context, poor prompt structure, or an overreliance on AI without human oversight?
- Adjust Your Approach – Set better guidelines, implement quality control, or involve human review before AI-generated work goes live.
- Create a Prevention Plan – Learn from the mistake and put measures in place to avoid repeating it.
UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders
Speaking of learning from mistakes, Ben-Jamin Toy, HSG and I did a thing... We launched the UH-OH Conversations with Cohesive Leaders podcast! This podcast features real-time stories from leaders confessing their most crucial or recent “UH-OH” moments in business. You’ll hear what it cost them, the steps they took to fix it, and - most importantly - how they planned to ensure it didn’t happen again.
Our first episode features our friend Ryan Cass. Click to listen on 🎧 Spotify, 🎧 Apple, or 🎥 YouTube.
Click here to subscribe to Cohesion Corner™ with Dr. Troy so you never miss a newsletter.
For more insight on this topic, please refer to these blog posts:
- Putting AI to Good Use
- Six Generations Have Entered the Workforce
- How to Unleash Gen AI Innovation in your CU
- Data isn't just numbers; it's the secret weapon your competitors are already using.
- Connecting HR and Technology
Interested in reading more from Dr. Troy Hall? Check out my books available for purchase on Amazon.
