Introduction

To put it simply, I think that they should wait to deploy an AI chatbot. They should consider what other options are available to drive profit and if AI should even be the focal point of those options. I also think that, because the idea of an AI chatbot can be so vague at times, they should actually be considering what parts require or should have this generative AI service or feature.

Expert discussion

Jim Lecinski

I think what both experts discuss is accurate, though I feel more aligned with Jim Lecinski’s view; while Jeannie is feeling pressured by this fear of missing out on the AI hype, to have “an act-now, think-later mentality” might be causing her to be shortsighted on the profitability of PulsePoint as a whole. Where they could be focusing their efforts to rehaul a number of things to increase revenue and profit, Jeannie’s mentality might cause them to push that onto the backburner for an AI implementation that not everyone feels strongly about.

Dharmesh Shah

I also, of course, agree with Dharmesh Shah’s point of view in that so long as sales agents are competent, consistent, and convenient, perhaps there shouldn’t be so much hesitancy to deploy AI. Furthermore, perhaps PulsePoint and Jeannie are being too shortsighted and could consider other ways of AI integration, instead of just seemingly replacing teams in the workforce. As we’ve seen time and time again, humans should still be in the loop of AI integration; asking the question of AI replacing humans is the wrong question, and we should instead be asking about how AI can enhance humans. In a capitalist world where efficiency is everything, fearmongering about AI replacing humans is a moot point because we have seen humans be replaced by many other means and for less, yet human roles in each sector still remain.

Personal thoughts and conclusion

Overall, however, it does seem largely that Jeannie is motivated by some sort of obsession or compulsion with the urgency that she is trying to push this, so it does warrant a bit of pause before proceeding; why exactly is she so compelled by AI? I feel like, while she did attend a conference, she was pushed into an echo chamber of AI proponents while there and perhaps too few AI detractors. I think she needs to do more research instead of simply following the technological zeitgeist because she sees everyone else doing so and develop her own opinions after letting her own thoughts marinate. It’s very easy to get carried away by a sentiment when conferences are known to be celebratory and grand to arouse excitement, so perhaps some distance and second opinions from other experts would help to ground her views.