14 October 2024

The AI Illusion: How to Spot Fake Expertise in a Tech-Driven World

Today, I want to share some thoughts on Artificial Intelligence (AI), particularly the risks it poses that many of us might not have fully considered.

Not the Usual AI Warning

This isn’t one of those doom-and-gloom warnings about AI taking over the world and enslaving humanity. While that might happen someday, it’s not the issue I want to focus on. Instead, I want to raise a different, more immediate concern—one that’s already affecting businesses and individuals today.

The Real Risk: AI Overpromising

AI is now giving people the ability to promote themselves and build personal brands in ways that far exceed their actual expertise. It’s allowing individuals to present polished, professional-looking materials—whether that’s for workshops, books, or other services—without having the experience or skills to back it up.

I recently had a call from a client who experienced this first-hand. They had booked someone to run a workshop, lured in by an impressive-looking proposal and outline. They invested $15,000 for a day-long event. But within the first hour, it became clear that the facilitator had no idea what they were doing. It was obvious they had used AI to create everything: the workshop structure, the exercises, even the proposal itself.

The result? The workshop had to be canceled, and my client was left with a massive financial loss. What’s worse, the facilitator didn’t even seem embarrassed. They admitted to using AI but claimed, “I’ve got all the information, I could have taught you.” The truth is, they couldn’t. There was no depth of knowledge, no real expertise to support their claims.

The Problem Isn’t AI, It’s the Lack of Expertise

We’re starting to see this issue more and more. Whether it’s people using AI to write books, create speaker kits, or deliver presentations, the danger is the same. Just because you can generate content using AI doesn’t make you an expert.

Don’t get me wrong—I’m a big fan of AI. I use it regularly, including platforms like ChatGPT. It’s a fantastic tool when used correctly. But the key is that I can deliver on what I’m promoting. I have the experience, knowledge, and skills to back up the content that AI helps me create.

Unfortunately, AI is enabling people to “bat above their pay grade.” It’s allowing individuals to present themselves as experts when they’re anything but. And that’s a real problem for those of us who are looking to hire professionals, book speakers, or engage consultants.

The Importance of Doing Your Homework

So, what does this mean for you as a business owner or professional? It means you need to be more diligent than ever when it comes to vetting the people you work with. You can’t just rely on a polished proposal or a slick marketing pitch. You need to dig deeper.

Ask tougher questions. Do more thorough research. Find out if the person you’re hiring truly has the experience and expertise to deliver on their promises. Otherwise, you could end up with a coach, consultant, speaker, or facilitator who has no idea what they’re doing—and that could cost you dearly.

The Future of AI in the Business World

We’re going to see this problem continue to grow, especially in fields like publishing. People are already using AI to write books, but that doesn’t make them experts in the topics they’re covering. Simply running a few prompts through ChatGPT doesn’t give someone the depth of knowledge that comes from years of experience or study.

And as AI tools become more advanced, this issue is only going to become more widespread. We need to stay vigilant and remember that AI is just a tool. It can help create content, but it can’t replace true expertise.

The Takeaway: Don’t Fall Into the AI Trap

In closing, my message is simple: be aware of the risks. AI is an amazing tool when used correctly, but it can also enable people to misrepresent themselves. Don’t fall into the trap of hiring someone based solely on AI-generated content. Do your homework, ask the right questions, and make sure the people you’re working with can actually deliver.

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Who's This Andrew Griffiths Guy?

Andrew Griffiths is Australia's #1 small business author with 12 best selling books now sold in over 60 countries. He's a writing and publishing expert, an international speaker and leading business advisor with over 20 years' experience. Andrew presents around the world and is considered an expert in entrepreneurship and an authority on building a profile. He is a thought leader through writing, publishing and speaking and is featured regularly in mainstream global media.

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