Where is real benefit of AI? member value or operational efficiency.

As an illustration let's consider a story of two coffee shop owners who both opened their shops on the same street.

Quick Brew Café focused on efficiency, using high-powered espresso machines and an AI-enabled ordering process to serve customers quickly. Meanwhile, Bean Discovery prioritized value, using AI to analyze customer feedback and trends, creating popular drinks like matcha cappuccino.

Both shops used AI to boost productivity, but Bean Discovery created lasting value that customers talked about and returned for.

Just like these coffee shops, businesses today face a choice in how they use AI agents. Will they optimize for speed alone, or focus on creating lasting value? AI agents are known for their efficiency, but they can also unlock significant value.

Align Objectives With Agents’ Capabilities: Organizations should map AI capabilities to specific goals, ensuring focused and quantifiable results. For example, Bean Discovery used AI to analyze customer preferences and brainstorm new flavors.

Emphasize AI-Human Collaboration: AI agents excel at repetitive tasks, freeing humans for strategic work. However, human intervention is crucial for quality and safety. For instance, AI can suggest new coffee recipes, but humans must verify their appeal.

Drive Strategic Decision-Making: AI agents enhance decision-making by analyzing data and generating insights. This combination of AI’s analytical power and human expertise leads to better outcomes.

AI agents can make businesses faster, but speed alone isn’t a strategy. By aligning AI capabilities with objectives, fostering collaboration, and leveraging insights for strategic decisions, organizations can create lasting value for their members.