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Is irrational AI making our decision-making worse with Stephanie Antonian
Many people see artificial intelligence as a tool for making decisions faster and more logically. But what if we’ve misunderstood what AI really is and how to use it well?
In this episode of Tech Tomorrow, David Elliman talks with Stephanie Antonian, Founder and CEO of Aestora, about whether AI really improves how we think. Focus on the arguments made in Stephanie’s essay, AI is Irrational, which questions the idea that AI always follows traditional logic. Instead, she explains that most modern AI, especially machine learning, finds patterns and makes predictions based on past data rather than relying on strict logical reasoning.
They discuss how this change has confused many business leaders, who expect certainty from AI systems that operate on probabilities and don’t provide fixed answers. This misunderstanding has led to overinvestment, failed AI projects, and frustration with unclear or inconsistent results.
David and Stephanie also look at what this means for accountability and governance. Stephanie stresses the need for real human oversight, transparency, and the ability to audit AI systems. Instead of only engaging in abstract ethical debates, Dave suggests a practical approach grounded in safety engineering, such as traceability and thorough testing.
The episode features practical advice for leaders who want to use AI responsibly. Stephanie suggests that organisations should compare costs and capabilities, run controlled tests, and focus on current performance factors like accuracy and integration before expanding. She also warns that without careful management, AI can make organisations more complex and lead to analysis paralysis rather than better decisions.
Episode Highlights
01:28 – The core arguments of AI is Irrational.
03:30 – Is it the tools we use, or the human interaction with them, that causes issues?
05:06 – What are some use-cases for machine learning tools?
07:09 – David’s Thoughts: The current state of play in AI.
08:29 – We need outliers, not probabilities, to make the world better.
10:45 – There always needs to be a human in the loop.
14:57 – David’s Thoughts: The AI ethics debate.
16:05 – What can business leaders actually do about all of this?
18:21 – Is irrational AI making our decision-making worse?
About Zühlke:
Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation at its core. We help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – running smarter today while adapting for tomorrow’s markets, customers, and communities.
Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in technology strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We thrive in complex, regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance, connecting strategy, implementation, and operations to help clients build more effective and resilient businesses.
Links:
- Zühlke Website
- Zühlke on LinkedIn
- David Elliman on LinkedIn
- Stephanie Antonian on LinkedIn
- Aestora Website
- AI is Irrational Essay
- MIT report: 95% of generative AI pilots at companies are failing Article
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By Zühlke
5
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Many people see artificial intelligence as a tool for making decisions faster and more logically. But what if we’ve misunderstood what AI really is and how to use it well?
In this episode of Tech Tomorrow, David Elliman talks with Stephanie Antonian, Founder and CEO of Aestora, about whether AI really improves how we think. Focus on the arguments made in Stephanie’s essay, AI is Irrational, which questions the idea that AI always follows traditional logic. Instead, she explains that most modern AI, especially machine learning, finds patterns and makes predictions based on past data rather than relying on strict logical reasoning.
They discuss how this change has confused many business leaders, who expect certainty from AI systems that operate on probabilities and don’t provide fixed answers. This misunderstanding has led to overinvestment, failed AI projects, and frustration with unclear or inconsistent results.
David and Stephanie also look at what this means for accountability and governance. Stephanie stresses the need for real human oversight, transparency, and the ability to audit AI systems. Instead of only engaging in abstract ethical debates, Dave suggests a practical approach grounded in safety engineering, such as traceability and thorough testing.
The episode features practical advice for leaders who want to use AI responsibly. Stephanie suggests that organisations should compare costs and capabilities, run controlled tests, and focus on current performance factors like accuracy and integration before expanding. She also warns that without careful management, AI can make organisations more complex and lead to analysis paralysis rather than better decisions.
Episode Highlights
01:28 – The core arguments of AI is Irrational.
03:30 – Is it the tools we use, or the human interaction with them, that causes issues?
05:06 – What are some use-cases for machine learning tools?
07:09 – David’s Thoughts: The current state of play in AI.
08:29 – We need outliers, not probabilities, to make the world better.
10:45 – There always needs to be a human in the loop.
14:57 – David’s Thoughts: The AI ethics debate.
16:05 – What can business leaders actually do about all of this?
18:21 – Is irrational AI making our decision-making worse?
About Zühlke:
Zühlke is a global transformation partner, with engineering and innovation at its core. We help clients envision and build their businesses for the future – running smarter today while adapting for tomorrow’s markets, customers, and communities.
Our multidisciplinary teams specialise in technology strategy and business innovation, digital solutions and applications, and device and systems engineering. We thrive in complex, regulated sectors such as healthcare and finance, connecting strategy, implementation, and operations to help clients build more effective and resilient businesses.
Links:
- Zühlke Website
- Zühlke on LinkedIn
- David Elliman on LinkedIn
- Stephanie Antonian on LinkedIn
- Aestora Website
- AI is Irrational Essay
- MIT report: 95% of generative AI pilots at companies are failing Article