Stop Asking AI to Be Creative. Ask It to Be Correct

According to empirical research synthesized by Groundwork, you can save at least a full workday each week by redirecting mundane tasks to AI, but only 42% of frontline AI users do so effectively, potentially leading to lost opportunities for strategic work.

The Creative Conundrum

Since ChatGPT launched in 2022, most of us have accidentally fallen into a trap where we ask AI to do the parts of our work that are arguably the most human. We ask artificial intelligence to write our emails for us, to brainstorm new ideas, and to turn scattered ideas into clear plans and strategies. However, this approach is misguided. The explosion of generative AI made creativity the most obvious entry point for everyday employees experimenting with AI. A blank ChatGPT box feels like an open invitation to write copy, brainstorm things, or generate ideas.

The Problem with Creativity

Some of that writing is useful. I use AI to brainstorm all the time, including to help generate additional examples for this article. Some of that writing was okay, but a lot of it was quite bad—at least in my eyes. The problem is that creative quality is inherently subjective. There is no objectively correct marketing tagline or perfect strategy memo that won’t spark debate. Two smart people can read the same AI-generated paragraph and disagree about whether it’s insightful or “AI slop.” Creative work is a poor place to ask AI to be authoritative.

A Better Approach

Companies evaluating AI use cases tend to start by asking, “Can AI do this?” but a better question is, “If AI does this, how will we know whether it did it correctly?” If there is no clear answer, you may still have a useful copilot, but probably not something you should build critical business processes around. If the output can be validated, you have a much stronger candidate for a part of the business that can truly be transformed by AI.

The Value of Validation

Executives should therefore be skeptical of the idea that AI’s primary purpose is to replicate the highest-level thinking their employees do. I don’t believe that currently exists, nor will it for some time. Instead, we should focus on tasks where there is a clear right answer, such as reconciling spreadsheets or updating the CRM. These tasks are precisely the ones that are better suited to current AI progress.

Empirical Decision Matrix

By asking AI to be correct rather than creative, we can unlock significant productivity gains and redirect our time toward more strategic work. According to empirical research synthesized by Groundwork, companies can save at least a full workday each week by redirecting mundane tasks to AI, but only 42% of frontline AI users do so effectively. By focusing on tasks with clear right answers, we can transform our businesses and achieve greater success.