When Better Bots Make Things Worse
Practical insights for 40+ leaders who want to protect their time and live with purpose in a tech-driven world.
AI is everywhere.
It’s being called the biggest tech revolution of our generation — and I believe it is. Used well, it helps us work smarter, reclaim our time, and focus on the moments that actually matter.
But used poorly?
It erodes trust, wastes time, and makes us wonder why we ever got excited in the first place.
The Frustration That Sparked This Post
Last week, I had an urgent situation with a shipping company.
I called and was met with an automated attendant that offered no real path to a solution. I explained the urgency and asked to escalate to a human.
The system assured me it was transferring me to someone who could help. But after the initial series of scripted questions, guess what? It wasn’t a who at all — it was “a more advanced automated attendant,” a.k.a. AI.
It was impressive in its scripting.
It was polite.
It was utterly useless.
What I needed wasn’t better automation. I needed a human with judgment, authority, and the ability to actually solve my problem.
Instead, I lost another five minutes of my life to a machine that didn’t understand urgency.
This Isn’t an Anti-AI Rant
I believe in AI’s potential, especially for those of us in midlife who are protecting our time and living more intentionally.
But here’s the truth: AI should be a force multiplier, not a gatekeeper.
Let AI handle the repetitive, predictable, routine tasks that drain our energy.
When the stakes are high or context matters, hand the baton to a human.
Why This Matters
Every minute AI wastes is a minute we can’t spend on the people, causes, and experiences that matter most. And that, my friends, is the real loss.
This week’s challenge: Identify one routine task in your life that drains your time and energy. Hand it to AI — then spend the time you save on something that lights you up, whether it’s connecting with someone you care about, making progress on a passion project, or simply resting without guilt.
Absolutely! I’ve been experimenting with AI for a while, but lately I’ve focused on using it more intentionally as a true tool. The results have been nothing short of amazing. At the same time, it’s easy to get distracted by shiny features—we have to keep asking where it creates real impact instead of just novelty.
Yes! AI should be a tool that gives us back time, not one that burns more of it. I'd love to let it take the repetitive stuff off my plate, to have more energy for the things that actually matter. But the moment it becomes a gatekeeper instead of a helper, the promise gets lost.