{"id":522322,"date":"2026-10-10T08:32:45","date_gmt":"2026-10-10T15:32:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/?p=522322"},"modified":"2026-10-14T08:44:52","modified_gmt":"2026-10-14T15:44:52","slug":"does-this-task-need-ai-three-filters-to-help-you-decide","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/does-this-task-need-ai-three-filters-to-help-you-decide\/","title":{"rendered":"Does This Task Need AI? Three Filters to Help You Decide"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns has-theme-palette-7-background-color has-background is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-5dc627e1 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:80%\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Part of: <strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/series-ai-learnings\/\">AI Learning Series Here<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column395113_50d345-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column395113_50d345-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column395113_50d345-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column395113_50d345-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column395113_50d345-a0{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column395113_50d345-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column395113_50d345-a0 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column395113_50d345-a0\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.kadence-column510545_f73041-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xs, 1rem);}.kadence-column510545_f73041-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column510545_f73041-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column510545_f73041-db > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column510545_f73041-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette7, #EDF2F7);}.kadence-column510545_f73041-db:hover > .kt-inside-inner-col{background-color:var(--global-palette8, #F7FAFC);background-image:none;}.kadence-column510545_f73041-db > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column510545_f73041-db{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column510545_f73041-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column510545_f73041-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column510545_f73041-db\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4\"]{text-align:center;font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-sm, 0.9rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading510545_c22cc7-a4\">Quick Links:&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/resources-for-learning-ai\/\">Resources for Learning AI<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/keeping-up-with-ai\/\">Keep up with AI<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/list-of-ai-tools\/\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"402818\">List of AI Tools<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/local-ai-series\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"519365\">Local AI<\/a> | <a href=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/tag\/ai-agents\/\" data-type=\"post_tag\" data-id=\"941\">AI Agents<\/a> |  <a href=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/work-beyond-tomorrow-series\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"365001\">Future of Work<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id395113_e783d6-e8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id395113_e783d6-e8 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id395113_e783d6-e8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-none, 0rem );padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-xxs, 0.5rem);grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}.kb-row-layout-id395113_e783d6-e8 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id395113_e783d6-e8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:repeat(2, minmax(0, 1fr));}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id395113_e783d6-e8 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id395113_e783d6-e8 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-row-layout-equal kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column395113_b556f5-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column395113_b556f5-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column395113_b556f5-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column395113_b556f5-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column395113_b556f5-d4{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column395113_b556f5-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column395113_b556f5-d4 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column395113_b556f5-d4\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58\"]{text-align:center;font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-sm, 0.9rem);line-height:60px;font-style:normal;background-color:#f5a511;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading395113_ddd424-58\">Subscribe to <a href=\"https:\/\/go.35s.be\/jtb\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>JorgeTechBits  newsletter<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column395113_917858-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column395113_917858-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column395113_917858-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column395113_917858-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column395113_917858-ec{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column395113_917858-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column395113_917858-ec > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column395113_917858-ec\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_46c073-02, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_46c073-02[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading395113_46c073-02\"]{text-align:center;font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-sm, 0.9rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_46c073-02 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_46c073-02[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading395113_46c073-02\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_46c073-02 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading395113_46c073-02[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading395113_46c073-02\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading395113_46c073-02 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading395113_46c073-02\">Explore the <a href=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/latest-token-prices\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"521255\">Latest Token Prices<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-vertically-aligned-top is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"791\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/BookCover-791x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-522269\" style=\"aspect-ratio:0.6250142320391666;width:80px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/BookCover-791x1024.jpg 791w, https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/BookCover-232x300.jpg 232w, https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/BookCover-768x994.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/BookCover.jpg 1102w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 791px) 100vw, 791px\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><a href=\"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/book-series-ai-dont-just-chat\/\" data-type=\"page\" data-id=\"520242\">Check out the Book Series<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-sm, 0.9rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading519190_af62a4-66\"><strong>Disclaimer:<\/strong> <strong>I create this content entirely on my own time, and the views expressed here are mine alone (not my employer&#8217;s)<\/strong>. Because I love leveraging new tech, I use AI tools like Gemini, ChatGPT, Claude, Perplexity and others as a &#8220;digital team&#8221; to help research and polish these articles so I can share the best possible insights with you!<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2\"]{font-size:var(--global-kb-font-size-md, 1.25rem);font-style:normal;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2 mark.kt-highlight, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2\"] mark.kt-highlight{font-style:normal;color:#f76a0c;-webkit-box-decoration-break:clone;box-decoration-break:clone;padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2 img.kb-inline-image, .wp-block-kadence-advancedheading.kt-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2[data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2\"] img.kb-inline-image{width:150px;vertical-align:baseline;}<\/style>\n<p class=\"kt-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2 wp-block-kadence-advancedheading\" data-kb-block=\"kb-adv-heading522322_ed8a16-d2\"><em><strong>Before adding AI to a workflow, evaluate predictability, complexity, and risk.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Not every business problem needs AI.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes the right answer is a database query. Sometimes it is a script, a clearer process, or a better way to apply rules you already understand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The question is not, \u201cCan AI do this?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It is, \u201cIs AI the most effective, reliable, and economical way to get this done?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That distinction changes the conversation. Instead of starting with a model and looking for somewhere to use it, start with the task and work toward the appropriate solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">My approach is to run the task through three filters: <strong>Predictability, Complexity, and Risk.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Can we define the rules? Can simpler tools handle the work? And what happens when the system gets it wrong?<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 3fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 3fr) minmax(0, 1fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-column-wrap > div:not(.added-for-specificity){grid-column:initial;}.kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style><div class=\"kb-row-layout-wrap kb-row-layout-id522322_d91ab3-24 alignnone wp-block-kadence-rowlayout\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-3-columns kt-row-layout-center-wide kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-mobile-layout-row kt-row-valign-top\">\n<style>.kadence-column522322_52369b-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column522322_52369b-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column522322_52369b-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column522322_52369b-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column522322_52369b-4b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column522322_52369b-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column522322_52369b-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column522322_52369b-4b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column522322_2c2dea-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column522322_2c2dea-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column522322_2c2dea-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column522322_2c2dea-d5 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column522322_2c2dea-d5{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column522322_2c2dea-d5 > 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\/><button\n\t\t\tclass=\"lightbox-trigger\"\n\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\taria-haspopup=\"dialog\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-bind--aria-label=\"state.thisImage.triggerButtonAriaLabel\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-init=\"callbacks.initTriggerButton\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-on--click=\"actions.showLightbox\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--right=\"state.thisImage.buttonRight\"\n\t\t\tdata-wp-style--top=\"state.thisImage.buttonTop\"\n\t\t>\n\t\t\t<svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"12\" height=\"12\" fill=\"none\" viewBox=\"0 0 12 12\">\n\t\t\t\t<path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M2 0a2 2 0 0 0-2 2v2h1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 1 .5-.5h2V0H2Zm2 10.5H2a.5.5 0 0 1-.5-.5V8H0v2a2 2 0 0 0 2 2h2v-1.5ZM8 12v-1.5h2a.5.5 0 0 0 .5-.5V8H12v2a2 2 0 0 1-2 2H8Zm2-12a2 2 0 0 1 2 2v2h-1.5V2a.5.5 0 0 0-.5-.5H8V0h2Z\" \/>\n\t\t\t<\/svg>\n\t\t<\/button><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column522322_a6090a-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column522322_a6090a-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column522322_a6090a-db > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column522322_a6090a-db > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column522322_a6090a-db{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column522322_a6090a-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column522322_a6090a-db > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;justify-content:center;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column kadence-column522322_a6090a-db\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\"><\/div><\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Before You Automate, Get Two Things Clear<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Before applying the three filters, establish clarity about two things: the workflow you are trying to automate or replace, and the outcome you need to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Understand the Workflow<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Map how the work actually happens\u2014not just how the process documentation says it happens. Identify the inputs, steps, systems, handoffs, decisions, and people involved. Include the workarounds and informal judgments that keep things moving.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Keep the scope narrow enough to assess. \u201cProcess an invoice\u201d contains several different tasks: reading the document, extracting fields, checking amounts, matching a purchase order, and authorizing payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Those tasks do not necessarily need the same technology\u2014or the same level of oversight. Otherwise, you risk automating an incomplete understanding of the process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Define the Outcome\u2014and Explore the Exceptions<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cUse AI to improve operations\u201d is not specific enough to evaluate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cRead incoming service requests, identify the issue, and suggest the appropriate support queue\u201d is a task you can evaluate\u2014once you define what acceptable performance looks like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Be specific about the result you need, how you will measure success, and what makes an outcome unacceptable. Then explore what could fall outside the normal path: missing information, conflicting instructions, unusual requests, policy exceptions, or cases requiring human judgment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Brainstorm these scenarios with the people who do the work. You may not anticipate every exception, but you should define how unexpected cases will be recognized, escalated, and resolved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Once you understand the workflow, the intended outcome, and how exceptions should be handled, you are ready to apply the three filters: Predictability, Complexity, and Risk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Filter 1: Predictability\u2014Can We Define the Rules?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start by asking whether the task follows explicit, stable logic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you know the inputs, the formula, and the conditions that determine the answer, conventional software is the natural starting point.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider calculating a shipping charge. Given the package weight, destination, service level, and approved rate table, the system should apply the specified calculation. There is no need to ask a language model to interpret what the charge might be.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Now consider this customer message:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThe replacement arrived, but it has the same issue as the first one. I need this resolved before Friday.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That task involves interpretation. The system needs to recognize a repeat problem, understand the deadline, and identify the appropriate next step.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The useful distinction is not \u201ceasy versus difficult.\u201d It is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are we applying known rules, or interpreting information whose meaning varies?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Start with non-AI when the task is primarily a calculation, lookup, validation, or explicit policy check. Consider testing AI when interpretation or learned patterns are central to the work.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One important qualification: predictable execution does not guarantee correct software. Rules can be incomplete, code can contain bugs, and source data can be wrong. The advantage is that the intended behavior can be explicitly specified and tested\u2014not that traditional software is infallible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Filter 2: Complexity\u2014Can Simpler Tools Handle the Work?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A task may be possible to describe with rules but impractical to maintain that way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Imagine routing support requests using keywords. A small list might work initially. Over time, the list could expand to cover synonyms, spelling mistakes, multiple languages, overlapping issues, and exceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At that point, ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Are the rules still solving the problem, or has maintaining the rules become the problem?<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is where AI becomes a candidate\u2014not an automatic winner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Compare it against practical alternatives:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A database query.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A script or rule engine.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A template or structured form.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A search system.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A process change that removes unnecessary variation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Google\u2019s machine-learning guidance explicitly advises teams not to be afraid to launch without machine learning. Anthropic offers a similar principle for LLM applications: start with the simplest solution and add complexity when it produces a measurable improvement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Also, avoid treating \u201cAI\u201d as synonymous with \u201cLLM.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Predicting an outcome from historical records and drafting a response to a customer are different tasks. Evaluate the appropriate approach rather than defaulting to a conversational model for both.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The same caution applies to data formats. A spreadsheet does not rule out machine learning, and a PDF does not automatically require generative AI. Focus on what the task requires\u2014not the file extension.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Filter 3: Risk\u2014What Happens When It Is Wrong?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This filter determines how much responsibility a system should receive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">An awkward draft, an incorrect support classification, and an unauthorized payment are different failures with different consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Instead of asking whether a general accuracy percentage is \u201cgood enough,\u201d ask:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Which errors matter most?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can we detect them before they cause harm?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can the resulting action be reversed?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>What information or permissions does the system need?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Who handles exceptions and remains accountable?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Separate interpretation from authorization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">For example, an AI component could read a refund request and extract the customer\u2019s explanation. Conventional code could check the transaction and apply refund limits. A person could approve exceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That is a proposed division of responsibilities\u2014not a claim that adding a reviewer automatically makes the workflow safe.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cHuman in the loop\u201d only becomes meaningful when you specify what the person checks, what evidence they receive, and whether they can realistically detect a mistake.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If a failure would be consequential and difficult to detect or contain, do not treat successful demonstrations as permission for autonomous execution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Three-Filter Decision Table<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use this table to decide what to evaluate first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table><thead><tr><th>Filter<\/th><th>Key question<\/th><th>Start with non-AI when\u2026<\/th><th>Consider AI when\u2026<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody><tr><td>Predictability<\/td><td>Can we explicitly specify the required behavior?<\/td><td>Rules, formulas, and lookups adequately describe the task<\/td><td>Interpretation or learned patterns are essential<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Complexity<\/td><td>Can a simpler solution remain practical?<\/td><td>Queries, scripts, rules, or process changes meet the requirement<\/td><td>Variation makes simpler approaches difficult to maintain effectively<\/td><\/tr><tr><td>Risk<\/td><td>Can we detect and contain important failures?<\/td><td>AI errors would be unacceptable and difficult to control<\/td><td>Validation, restricted actions, or effective review can manage the consequences<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Passing these filters makes a task a candidate for AI. It does not establish that AI is the best solution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That requires evidence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Then Prove the Business Case<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Test the proposed approach against the current process and a reasonable non-AI alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use representative examples, including routine work, incomplete inputs, unusual cases, and consequential exceptions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Measure:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Quality of the completed task.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frequency and severity of important errors.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>End-to-end completion time.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Human review and correction effort.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Total cost per accepted result.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">That last measure matters. A low-cost model response is not necessarily a low-cost business outcome if someone must repeatedly verify or rewrite it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Include integration, infrastructure, monitoring, support, and exception handling in the comparison. Apply the same accounting discipline to the non-AI alternative.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Evaluation should also precede unnecessary architectural complexity. Anthropic\u2019s guidance emphasizes measuring performance and establishing comprehensive evaluations when developing more autonomous systems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Often, the Right Answer Is Hybrid<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Consider a proposed monthly financial-reporting workflow:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Retrieve approved figures using database queries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Calculate totals and variances with conventional code.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Use an LLM to draft commentary from the validated results.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Check the draft\u2019s numerical claims against those results.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have the accountable owner review the interpretation.<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The model helps explain the numbers. It does not become the authority for calculating them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This is why \u201cAI or non-AI?\u201d is often more useful at the task level than at the process level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One workflow can contain rule-based calculations, AI-assisted interpretation, and human decisions. The objective is to assign each responsibility deliberately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">The Bottom Line<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Use the three filters to challenge the proposed solution:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Predictability: Can we define the rules?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Complexity: Can simpler tools handle the work?<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Risk: Can we manage being wrong?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Then test whether AI actually improves the outcome after accounting for cost, verification, and operating effort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If explicit rules solve the task well, use them. If AI improves one part of the workflow, use it there. If the risks cannot be controlled, redesign the task before automating it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The goal is not to put AI everywhere. It is to put the right capability in the right place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">References and Resources<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Google for Developers \u2014 <em>Rules of Machine Learning: Best Practices for ML Engineering.<\/em> A practical foundation for starting without ML, establishing useful metrics, and managing the complexity of machine-learning systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anthropic \u2014 <em>Building Effective Agents.<\/em> Guidance on choosing simpler approaches, distinguishing workflows from agents, and evaluating whether additional autonomy and complexity are justified.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Before adding AI to a workflow, evaluate predictability, complexity, and risk. Not every business problem needs AI. Sometimes the right answer is a database query. Sometimes it is a script, a clearer process, or a better way to apply rules you already understand. The question is not, \u201cCan AI do this?\u201d It is, \u201cIs AI&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":522325,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","podmotor_file_id":"","podmotor_episode_id":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","filesize_raw":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","itunes_episode_number":"","itunes_title":"","itunes_season_number":"","itunes_episode_type":"","_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_kad_post_classname":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[1068,1031],"tags":[941,1086,930,894],"class_list":["post-522322","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-ai-emerging-technology","category-ai-learnings-series","tag-ai-agents","tag-ai-routing","tag-ai-series","tag-artificial-intelligence"],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":1068,"label":"AI &amp; Emerging Technology"},{"value":1031,"label":"AI Learnings Series"}],"post_tag":[{"value":941,"label":"AI Agents"},{"value":1086,"label":"AI Routing"},{"value":930,"label":"AI Series"},{"value":894,"label":"artificial intelligence"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/FeaturedImage-DoeEveryTaskNeedAi-1024x384.jpg",1024,384,true],"author_info":{"display_name":"Jorge Pereira","author_link":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/author\/jorge\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":1068,"name":"AI &amp; Emerging Technology","slug":"ai-emerging-technology","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1078,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":234,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":1068,"category_count":234,"category_description":"","cat_name":"AI &amp; Emerging Technology","category_nicename":"ai-emerging-technology","category_parent":0},{"term_id":1031,"name":"AI Learnings Series","slug":"ai-learnings-series","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1041,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":83,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":1031,"category_count":83,"category_description":"","cat_name":"AI Learnings Series","category_nicename":"ai-learnings-series","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":[{"term_id":941,"name":"AI Agents","slug":"ai-agents","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":951,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":104,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":1086,"name":"AI Routing","slug":"ai-routing","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":1096,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":3,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":930,"name":"AI Series","slug":"ai-series","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":940,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":256,"filter":"raw"},{"term_id":894,"name":"artificial intelligence","slug":"artificial-intelligence","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":904,"taxonomy":"post_tag","description":"","parent":0,"count":221,"filter":"raw"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/522322","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=522322"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/522322\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":522328,"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/522322\/revisions\/522328"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/522325"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=522322"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=522322"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/jorgep.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=522322"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}