Do You Really Need AI, or Have We Lost the Plot?

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Read time: 5 minutes

Do You Really Need AI, or Have We Lost the Plot?

“AI is going to save your business.” “You need to get on board now!” “Even your plumber is using ChatGPT!”

The hype around artificial intelligence is impossible to ignore. But amid all the LinkedIn evangelists and flashy keynotes, we’re forgetting to ask one essential question: does it actually benefit you?

We came across a conversation that hilariously — and painfully — captures that very question:

AI Salesman: “Your company probably needs AI, right?”

Professional: “I’m a full-time student and teach piano lessons on the weekends.”

AI Salesman: “Did you know AI could be giving those lessons in a few years?”

Piano Teacher: “What’s your problem!”

AI Salesman: “Don’t you get it!?”

What starts as satire touches on something fundamental: the gap between AI’s promise and its reality. So let’s take a step back. Not to dismiss AI — quite the opposite — but to ask a more meaningful question: “When is AI truly useful, and when is it just hot air?”

The AI Hype: From Piano Apps to Panic Mode

The video is funny, but also a little uncomfortable. It shows just how easily AI is pushed into situations where it simply doesn’t belong. A piano teacher, a plumber without a website — suddenly they’re labelled as “behind the times” because they’re not using AI yet.

And that reflects today’s AI landscape: AI is often pitched as a goal in itself, rather than a means to an end.

Often, this is harmless. But sometimes, it leads to frustration, wasted investments, or resistance to technology that could be valuable — if applied properly.

AI Is Useless Without a Solid Foundation

Let’s be honest: AI can do a lot. It can generate invoices, write proposals, edit texts, analyze data, even respond to customer questions. But only if the foundation is in place:

If digital data is already available.
If your processes are streamlined enough to be automated.
If your organization is open to new tools — and knows what to use them for.

Without that foundation, AI is an empty shell. You end up placing a chatbot on a website no one visits, or using a tool that takes more time than it saves.

So What Does Work?

Start small. Let AI draft a standard email or report. Don’t expect perfection — just see what it delivers.
Test with purpose. Pick one repetitive, low-value task. Let AI handle it and measure how it affects your time.
Be honest. With yourself, your team, your clients or partners. AI is a tool, not a miracle. Just like a drill doesn’t make you a carpenter.

Why This Video Says So Much

The conversation in the video is exaggerated — and that’s exactly why it hits home. It holds up a mirror: are we so excited about AI that we forget to ask if it actually adds value?

AI is often sold as a race you have to win. And yes, businesses that do nothing risk falling behind. But that doesn’t mean you should panic and chase every new trend.

The key lies in strategy — not if you use AI, but what for.

Not: “We need to do something with AI.” But: “Where does AI create real value for our organisation or customers?”

That calm, strategic mindset — that’s your advantage.

Our View as AI Consultants

At Lumans, we believe AI is only valuable if it fits your organization.

We don’t start by recommending tools. We start by asking the right questions:

What are your goals?
Where is there friction or inefficiency?
And where can you start seeing results — without major risk?

That’s where it begins. Not with a chatbot, but with insight.

Ready to Take a Sober Look at AI?

Curious whether AI can truly add value for you — without the hype and buzzwords?

👉 Schedule a free consultation or explore our services