Is AI Solving the Right Task?
What is it?
AI systems can seem impressively intelligent — but that doesn't necessarily mean they are solving the task they are supposed to. As technology becomes better at mimicking human communication and behavior, there is an increasing risk that we mistake superficial functionality for real problem-solving.
Sometimes, AI appears to solve the task on paper but fails in practice — because it fundamentally misunderstands the nature of the task. Other times, we develop technology that successfully automates a process — but does not address the actual need. That is why it is crucial to ask: What task are we really trying to solve — and is the AI actually solving it?
Examples:
One example is the use of AI chatbots as psychological conversation partners. On the surface, a conversation with a language model can seem warm, understanding, and even therapeutic. But real therapeutic conversations are built on human connection, relationships, and responsibility — things a machine cannot provide. AI can simulate a conversation — but it does not perform therapy, and therefore the patient does not receive the genuine support they need, even if it may feel helpful in the moment.
Another example is found in elderly care, where robots and AI solutions are often introduced to automate parts of the work — such as cleaning, reminders, or monitoring. This can make sense in certain cases, but if we believe that a robotic vacuum cleaner has "solved" the home care worker's job, we miss the point: The essential part of home care is not the cleaning — it is the human connection and the sense of security.
What to consider?
Before assigning AI to solve a task, ask yourself: Is the system solving the actual task — or just something that looks similar? And: Have we chosen the right aspect of the task to automate?
AI can be a powerful tool — but only if we truly understand the nature of the task before designing a solution. Otherwise, we risk creating systems that look impressive but fail to deliver real value to the people they are meant to serve.