Every week, there’s a new AI tool promising to design your interface, write your code, and deliver your product in record time. It’s a thrilling shift — but also a dangerous illusion. Because at their core, every one of these tools still relies on human direction. Without a clear understanding of what to build and why it matters, the output is just noise. AI accelerates execution — but leadership defines the target.
AI accelerates execution — but leadership defines the target.
To turn raw AI output into product value, organizations still need people who can frame the right problems. AI is only as good as the prompts it’s given. Leaders must define problems in business and customer terms, not just feature requests.
They need people who can tune output to fit the business model. An AI-generated design might look polished, but if it doesn’t fit your revenue strategy or market positioning, it’s wasted effort.
They need people who can apply market alignment and competitive insight. AI can’t assess whether your solution resonates with your specific audience or differentiates from competitors. That’s human work.
And they need people who can bring design taste and brand stewardship. AI can propose layouts and flows, but discerning what feels right — and what builds long-term brand equity — is a uniquely human skill.
Ian Alexander
VP of Design — writing on leadership, AI product strategy, and building teams that ship.