Is It Naive or Am I Just Living Up to the Title of Chief Optimist
Artificial intelligence never ceases to amaze me—but what inspires me even more are the people in my network. Nearly every transformative idea I have explored in AI began with a casual conversation, a business challenge, or an offhand remark that sparked a deeper question: Wouldn’t it be nice if AI could do this?
Gone are the days when technical constraints or budgetary concerns limited brainstorming sessions. Today, the mindset has shifted. Now, when someone envisions a capability and asks, “Can AI really do that?” the most common answer is a delighted and slightly incredulous: “Why not?”
This is the space where I thrive, in the intersection of curiosity and possibility. It is where I get to stretch the bounds of what is known, test the tools at our disposal, and pose the ever-expanding question: What if this actually works? And if it does, how might it transform a department? A company? An entire industry?
Of course, not everyone sees it this way. Some argue that an “eyes wide open” approach to AI is naïve and idealistic at best and risky at worst. They caution against chasing silver bullets or seeing AI as a cure-all. But here is the nuance: AI is not a monolith. It is an umbrella term covering a multitude of tools and technologies, each with its function, limitation, and potential.
Machine learning, robotic process automation, large language models, predictive analytics, and computer vision are not interchangeable but are interoperable. If a tool works in one domain, there is no reason it cannot be adapted, modified, or re-engineered to address a challenge in another.
We are witnessing a moment in history where many of the “impossibles” of the past are becoming not only possible but practical. With the right mix of creativity, strategy, and responsible integration, AI becomes more than just automation; it becomes augmentation and a partner in problem-solving.
So, no, I do not believe it is naïve to ask what AI can do next. I believe it is necessary. We need more “what if” questions. More unlikely pairings between problems and tools. More people willing to bridge the gap between imagination and implementation.
And if that makes me sound like an eternal optimist, I will proudly wear the title. Because optimism, grounded in research and backed by action, is precisely what is driving this next wave of innovation.
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