AI actually requires thinking

AI actually requires thinking

"I don’t think AI introduces a new kind of thinking. It reveals what actually requires thinking." - Chip Huyen, author of the book AI Engineering.

I have very little to add to the current expansive discussion of AI surrounding us, but this simple quote encapsulates an important point. AI won't replace the thinking we need to do, because (at least for now!) it doesn't provide critical thinking. As Perplexity (a GREAT AI tool, by the way) tells me, what AI can't do is generate original thought, have consciousness, understand context, or bring any real-world experience to the discussion.

AI is a tool and can be a very powerful one. But it can't replace critical thinking, which is probably the greatest value we as sentient human beings bring to any discussion.

So yes, you should learn as much as you can about AI and how it can, is, and will be applied in your world and your work. But never forget that your critical thinking will still be the most important tool in your toolbox.

Wes's Wednesday Wisdom Archives

Perfection is expensive (in fact, it’s not possible!)

April 22, 2026

Perfection is expensive (in fact, it’s not possible!) “Perfection is expensive. The last 5 percent […]

AI is a journey, not a destination

April 15, 2026

AI is a journey, not a destination Lately I’ve noticed a lot of associations talking […]

Action produces information

April 8, 2026

Action produces information “Action produces information. If you’re unsure of what to do, just do […]

Why a single source of truth is so beneficial…

March 25, 2026

Why a single source of truth is so beneficial… The holy grail of data management is […]

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should

March 18, 2026

Just because you can, doesn’t mean you should I’ve worked in and with associations for well […]

Data doesn’t need to be perfect to be useful

March 4, 2026

Data doesn’t need to be perfect to be useful “Your data doesn’t have to be […]

Don’t just clean data, clean reports and queries

February 25, 2026

Don’t just clean data, clean reports and queries One of the reasons I exhort my […]

Don’t forget, your staff have day jobs…

February 18, 2026

Don’t forget, your staff have day jobs… The vast majority of my work is finite […]

Beware the automated “How did we do?” trap!

February 11, 2026

Beware the automated “How did we do?” trap! One of the downsides of technology is […]

Hindsight is 20/20

February 4, 2026

Hindsight is 20/20 I’m currently working with a client that is moving from their legacy […]

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Scroll to Top