The launch of DeepSeek has stirred excitement across the tech world, with headlines hailing it as the next major leap in generative AI. But while the technology behind DeepSeek is certainly impressive, its debut underscores the current state of artificial intelligence: full of promise, but perhaps a little too hyped for practical business use just yet.
The rise of AI has been a long journey, rooted in research from the mid-20th century. Yet, despite its current moment in the limelight, the reality of AI’s impact on businesses has remained somewhat subdued. While tools like ChatGPT have gained widespread attention, the technology still faces significant challenges. AI remains expensive to deploy, consumes enormous computing power, and the accuracy of its outputs is still often questionable. Legal issues, such as liability and copyright concerns, further complicate its adoption.
AI’s journey is also reflective of a shift in the broader tech industry. The IT landscape today is dominated by giant tech companies, with enormous profit margins to match. The excitement around new technologies often fuels a sense of rush in the industry, but for those of us in the real world of corporate IT, the emphasis should be on cautious pragmatism.
The history of IT shows that projects once had to be cost-justified and rolled out with care. In the early days of technology, “project creep” was feared, and the relationship between IT departments and other business functions was often fraught with suspicion. Fast forward to today, and the world of corporate IT may have changed, but the need for careful implementation and realistic goals remains.
A Need for Caution
With AI continuing its rapid development, we must strike a delicate balance between embracing its potential and addressing the limitations that come with it. In business, the first step should always be to ask the right questions: How can AI help achieve our strategic goals? What opportunities and risks does it present? Too often today, the approach seems to be, “AI is great, let’s see what we can do with it.” This attitude can be dangerous if not tempered by the necessary caution.
AI certainly offers significant potential. It’s excellent at handling large-scale computations, spotting patterns, and detecting trends faster than any human can. For example, AI has proven invaluable in tasks like robotic process automation (RPA), where it excels at repetitive tasks such as processing expense claims or credit card applications. These use cases have transformed how humans interact with machines, freeing up time for more creative and strategic thinking.
However, AI is far from perfect. While it is impressive in its ability to analyse data, it lacks the human qualities that make us cautious and adaptable in complex, ever-changing environments. It is not equipped to see the bigger picture or consider the nuances of human emotion, perception, and experience that often guide business decisions. As such, AI should not be seen as a replacement for human oversight, but rather as a tool that can complement human efforts.
A Pragmatic Path Forward
We are not yet at a point where AI could replace human decision-making, and we are still a long way off from AI being able to lead businesses. It is clear that AI will continue to improve, but its role should be seen as complementary rather than primary. The future of AI in business will likely involve collaboration between humans and machines, where AI handles routine tasks and data analysis, and humans provide the necessary judgement, creativity, and oversight.
For now, we must approach AI deployment with care. The next big AI breakthrough, like DeepSeek, may offer new capabilities, but it should be met with the same caution and critical thinking we apply to any emerging technology. As tempting as it is to get caught up in the excitement, we must always ask fundamental questions: Is it the right solution for the business? What are the costs, risks, and ethical implications?
DeepSeek’s tagline, “Into the Unknown,” is apt. While it’s important to be optimistic about AI’s potential, we must also remain mindful of the technological wilderness it may lead us into if we’re not careful. It’s an exciting time for AI, but it’s crucial that we proceed with a healthy dose of caution, clear business goals, and, most importantly, a practical approach to implementation.
