The Shortcut

The first time I used AI, it was to help me write a novel. Spoiler: it didn’t go well. The result? A beautifully written tale of absolutely nothing. It had clenched fists, tight chests, and zero purpose. The plot? Nonexistent. The characters? Flat. The emotion? Missing. It made me wonder if 70% of the shows I watch are secretly written by AI because the whole thing just felt...obvious.
But the AI wasn’t the problem. I was. I didn’t give it direction, motivation, or purpose. The human element was missing. It was maddening. It reminded me of the time I thought I was clever in computer science class, trying to cheat by reusing code. Turns out, to “cheat,” I had to know how the code worked in the first place. AI feels exactly the same way—it doesn’t work for you; it works with you. And learning how to use it is its own skill, one that takes time, frustration, and a lot of trial and error.
That’s the challenge—and the opportunity. AI isn’t magic, and it isn’t a shortcut. It’s a tool, and like any tool, it only works as well as the person wielding it. It should reflect you—your ideas, your purpose, your expertise. But it won’t do your job for you. In fact, you’re better off doing things yourself most time (like writing a novel).
And that’s where I think we’re getting it wrong. We’re throwing money at AI like it’s going to solve all our problems, but no amount of spending will get you out of doing your job. If your job is figuring out how to use AI to drive efficiency or innovation, you need to start by understanding what you actually want. Because that’s the overwhelming part. If you struggle to figure out what to eat for dinner tonight, how are you going to navigate this?

The Gold Rush Mentality

Get it? AI things panning for gold is a frying pan….

Just like I expected AI to write my story without my guidance, businesses are expecting AI to solve problems without a clear direction. The result? A lot of effort, a lot of investment—and often, a lot of nothing. AI is everywhere. Look at the companies investing millions in AI tools without clear business goals – AI-generated content no one reads, chatbots that frustrate customers, and “predictive analytics” that don’t actually drive any action. It's like the tech version of the gold rush – everyone's excited, but very few people actually know how to pan for gold.
The hype is intoxicating—AI promises speed, efficiency, and insights that feel almost magical. My opinion is that (right now) it’s only as good as the people using it. And for business leaders, that’s where the hard work begins.

A Wake-Up Call for Business Leaders

Who are you trying to be? No, really—ask yourself. Is your business aiming to be a disruptor, or are you just chasing the latest shiny thing? You're hiring people, buying tools, and slapping the word "innovative" on your website. But how is your trendy use of AI actually different? Are you solving problems, or are you just adding to the noise?
Be real with yourself—not as a leader, but as a business. Your job is to direct. To preside. To take that flashy AI pitch deck and ask the hard questions: What problem does this solve? How does this align with what we stand for? AI isn't a disruptor on its own. It's a tool that amplifies what's already there. If your strategy is shallow, AI will just make it louder. If you're intentional, it can take your business to places you didn't think possible.

Rethinking HR in the AI Age

Honestly, communication has always been HR's Achilles' heel. You're constantly trying to balance timely, efficient, impactful, and true information. Meanwhile, you're caught between conflicting ideals—employee needs versus employer priorities. And if you're still trying to push the "we're a family" narrative in 2025, just stop. Nobody's buying it.
The real opportunity for HR isn’t just about automating workflows—it’s about reshaping how organizations communicate and connect. This isn’t a mechanical shift; it’s a philosophical one. What does communication in your organization mean? How do you make sure everyone has the right information, at the right time, with clarity and intent? AI isn't just a tool to make things faster; it's a chance to elevate communication to a new level. Stop thinking about the mechanics and start thinking about the meaning.

Making It Work: Practical Steps

AI isn’t a magic wand, and treating it like one is the fastest way to burn through resources. Instead, approach AI adoption like a targeted experiment:

The Human Element

Look, I worry about this stuff too. Am I making the right calls? Innovating fast enough? Falling behind? The pressure is real. But here’s what I know: leadership isn’t about chasing the newest tools—it’s about ensuring those tools serve the people who rely on you.
AI can’t solve the hardest paradox of work: how to make a job fulfilling while meeting business goals. That’s where HR and leadership step in. Payroll, compliance, perks—those are the easy wins. But meaning? Purpose? That’s the soul of work, and it’s the toughest challenge we face.
AI is here to help, but it’s still just a tool. A chainsaw might seem intimidating until you know what tree you need to cut down. Then it’s exactly what you need.
Whether we like it or not, AI defines our present and it will continue to define our future. But how you wield it – that’s up to you.

Moving Forward Together

It's not just you chasing AI—it's your company, your competitors, the entire industry. There’s a decent chance that even your CEO might not know why. Everyone's just trying to do their job. But what is your job? Define it. Be great at it. Be first. Innovate.
If you want competition, let's do it right. Call Stormloop, and we'll figure it out together. Because the reality is that AI is too new for anyone to pretend they have all the answers. You may just need a reset. A fresh start.

You have all the tools in front of you—tools, not expertise. And that's okay. I'm not saying I have every answer, but here's what I can promise: I'll be honest. Stormloop will be honest. And no one can take that away from us.

If you’re ready to take a real, human-first approach to AI in your business, I’d love to help. At Stormloop, we don’t just talk about innovation trends—we try to figure them out with you.

Visit our website to learn more.
Connect with me on LinkedIn for more insights.
Or better yet, let’s have a real conversation: victor.edmonds@stormlooptech.com

AI Gold Rush: The Future of Artificial Intelligence in HR Technology