The AI Dilemma: Is Speed Undermining Your Success?

This expert opinion by Monica Amadio, professor and consultant at uragenius, was originally published on Inc.com.

In business, speed is everything … or is it? Recently, one of my students asked me a thought-provoking question. His question quickly reshaped how I was contemplating productivity in the age of AI and what it means for entrepreneurial success. The question was, “In the future, will I be penalized for doing my work manually if it takes longer than using AI?” This is a question that leaders, managers, and founders must deal with for themselves and their employees: When speed becomes the default, are we sacrificing meaningful progress?

AI as the benchmark for entrepreneurs

A recent survey shows that most small businesses, 98 percent of those surveyed, use AI-enabled tools. That’s a huge number, and for good reason. Generative AI is powerful, and it’s utility expands daily. Forty percent are using AI-powered generative tools like ChatGPT, Bard, Copilot, and Gemini. These popular tools have transformed workflows for leaders and staff alike. They allow founders to draft business proposals, refine pitches, analyze market research, or brainstorm new campaigns in seconds, not even minutes. But here’s the challenge: If an entrepreneur takes extra time to fine-tune a strategy—adding personalized touch-points or ensuring every detail aligns with brand values—does that now seem “inefficient” compared to an AI-generated plan?

This phenomenon isn’t limited to tech as speed-driven tools redefine what it means to work effectively across various industries, nearly every sector I can think of. Business leaders must ask if they are optimizing for speed or strategic quality. Could they do both?

Efficiency once meant thoughtful prioritization—maximizing time without rushing creativity. But now, does it mean raw speed? When the pace increases, we risk being seen as slow by people who value nuance.

As an educator, I’ve considered this myself. I observed K-12 school systems encourage using AI-based tools for lesson plan generation, including strategies for differentiation. While the results are remarkably good, some educators argue there is value in the human touch in the lesson to personally connect with the students in the room. However, will the teachers who take extra time in lesson planning eventually be considered time-laggards?

While some CEOs are looking for ways to make AI work for them, entrepreneurs can relate to the need to craft a personalized investor pitch or materials specific to their business or customers. It may take longer, but that intentionality can build rapport and drive long-term results. Will future workplaces penalize founders who take their time to get it right and add a personal touch?

The irreplaceable human element

While AI drafts copy or run data analytics, it can’t replicate the intuition, empathy, or decision-making entrepreneurs bring to the table … yet. But we sure are getting close, and the technology is improving daily. Generative AI offers next-level efficiency and, in some cases, highly effective idea creation, too.

Recently, large AI companies have warned of AI risks and the fear of existential threats. Nonetheless, they are scaling up and consumers are clamoring for access to the new advances.

On a much smaller level, a great product pitch isn’t just bullet points—it’s a story that resonates with investors or an ad that connects with consumers. Don’t we all love a good ad that genuinely connects with us and distills complex concepts into the most simple terms? A standout customer experience—isn’t just a well-timed chat—it’s an authentic connection, although this is harder to distinguish as chat tools improve. I’ve seen some chatbots recently that can mimic nearly any tone. Just incredible. The same holds for the classroom. Personal connection is key.

However, when stakeholders grow accustomed to AI’s lightning-fast results, entrepreneurs may need to justify the time spent refining their work. Will investors, partners, or supervisors dismiss time-intensive work as unnecessary when the AI draft was “good enough”?

Shifting from ‘fast’ to ‘effective’

The key isn’t to resist AI, which is why so many small businesses are using it, but to redefine success metrics. Past innovations revolutionized industries like fashion, healthcare, retail, technology, and so many more. Similarly, the age of AI calls for a recalibration of productivity standards. Here’s how to recalibrate for the age of AI.

• Select when speed should win: Routine tasks, like basic data reports or meeting notes, benefit from automation.
• Incentivize intentionality for key moments: Determine when investor pitches, customer-facing elements, and other work demand thoughtful crafting.
• Celebrate the “art” behind the numbers: Entrepreneurs who invest time in culture-building and personal connections often see outsized returns.

Redefining ‘timely’ in an AI-powered world

What does “timely” really mean? Speed might be most important for routine workflows and meeting summaries. However, it may be worthwhile for leaders to allow extra time to refine the work for connections, creativity, innovation, and stakeholder trust. The goal is to let AI handle the everyday or repetitive tasks so you can focus on being extraordinary and making real connections. In the end, personal connections matter.

Success in the hyper-efficient age

The rise of hyper-efficiency isn’t just about doing more faster—it’s about knowing when not to. Entrepreneurs have a choice, or rather, a juggling act: Build ventures that balance efficiency with thoughtful execution or chase speed at the expense of substance—which aligns with the theory that “done is better than perfect.”

Remember, the businesses that stand out aren’t necessarily the fastest, they’re the ones that last. What’s the difference between “good enough” and exceptional? Sometimes, it’s just taking the time.