Is Generative AI Software's Econo Offering?

Hatsune Miku 

In 2025, many are wondering, "Will AI take my job?"  If you want to answer this question, there's an easy test, "Is it okay for me to frequently be wrong?"  If the answer is yes, AI may take your job.

If your job requires you to be right most of the time, AI isn't ready to replace you.  Ironically, what we've grown comfortable expecting of computer software may not be true with AI.  The software we've known is logical to a fault.  AI is capable of logical contradiction, even hypocrisy.  It's a statistical engine that confidently offers the most likely answer given what it's aware of in the moment.

Unlike technology we've used to date, it's not deterministic.  It's probabilistic.  It can't be relied upon to provide the same, correct answer reach time.  When it's wrong, it's not a "bug."  It's an expected behavior.  It's an acceptable tradeoff given the utility we get in return.  Consequently, when a business operation requires the correct answer, the AI's output has to be checked.

For fields where emotion is the product, it's difficult to say what wrong is.  Art, entertainment, politics all are in the business of influencing.  Moving an audience happens via pathos.  Here right and wrong are less consequential than emotional impact.  While AI would seem to lack the human relate-ability necessary for pathos, we humans are pretty comfortable anthropomorphizing things. 

Software shops are still predominantly focused on building and maintaining deterministic software.  Leaders are highly interested in doing so more efficiently.  Businesses are actively exploring how to make use of these new tools to optimize performance.  They should simultaneously be asking themselves, "Do I still need a deterministic system?"  A probabilistic alternative may not do as good a job but may do good enough.  It may do it at a lower price point.

We may eventually find that generative AI best meets its potential when used as general purpose software.  It's not the luxury option.  It's a Jack of All Trades.  If that's enough and it's cheaper than a bespoke deterministic system, it may be the right choice.

 

 

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