It feels like Artificial Intelligence (AI) is everywhere right now — powering search engines, writing essays, and even helping people write code. But if you’re facing a specific problem or planning a project, you might be wondering: Do I need AI for that?
The answer, of course, depends on the problem you’re trying to solve, the data you have, and what outcomes you’re hoping to achieve. In this article, we try to figure out whether AI could be useful. In doing so, we’ll take a quick look at some common types of problems AI is particularly good at solving.
“Surely there’s an AI for that?” I hear this every day at the moment. It can be a useful question to ask but, before assuming AI is the right solution (spoiler: that’s not always the case), it might help to ask a few simple questions:
If you can answer “yes” to any of the first three, an AI-based tool may be useful. But use question #4 as a sanity check before you dive into a complex solution.
Here’s some common categories of problems where AI often does a pretty good job.
1. Search tools: Finding what you’re interested in
AI-powered search tools go beyond simple keyword matching. They understand context, learn your preferences and help surface relevant information faster. Whether you’re looking for a file buried in your inbox or trying to find patterns in customer behaviour, AI can help filter and prioritise what’s important.
2. Understanding a subject: Summarisation and explainers
Need to quickly get up to speed on a complex topic? AI can read through large volumes of text and produce summaries, explanations or simplified versions tailored to different audiences. Tools like ChatGPT or AI-enabled summarisers are especially helpful for researchers, students or professionals who need to make sense of dense material in less time.
3. Finding non-obvious information: Insight tools
Sometimes, the value isn’t in what’s directly in front of you — it’s in the connections between pieces of data. AI can identify trends, correlations and insights that might not be obvious, especially in big datasets. This makes it a powerful ally in domains like market analysis, healthcare, and operations where deeper understanding leads to better decisions.
4. Personal Assistants: Helping with common tasks
From scheduling meetings and writing emails to creating to-do lists or transcribing notes, AI-powered assistants are changing the way we work. These tools reduce time spent on repetitive tasks and free up mental space for higher-value work. They’re not just for big businesses either — solo entrepreneurs and small teams can benefit too.
AI definitely isn’t a silver bullet but, when used in the right context, it can significantly amplify what people and teams are capable of. If your problem involves large amounts of data, complex decision-making or repetitive tasks that eat into your day, it’s worth exploring whether an AI tool could lend a hand.
Still not sure if AI is the right fit? A good next step is to prototype something simple and see what kind of lift you get. You might be surprised at how quickly it can start making a difference.
Here at The Maverick Group, we spend every day trying to identify the right solutions to our clients’ problems. We do quite often add a bit (or a lot) of AI into the mix, but we don’t just blindly follow the AI trends. Instead, our Technology Solutions unit helps our clients navigate the increasingly complex AI space in a somewhat obsessive search for the simplest, most efficient solutions (whether they involve AI or not).
