Why judgment matters more, not less, in the AI era

The article argues that AI delivers business value only when paired with human judgment, domain expertise, and strong governance—Ford’s experience shows that over-automating quality control can increase risk and cost, while reintroducing seasoned engineers improved outcomes and saved hundreds of millions in warranty and recall expenses. For CIOs and technology leaders, the strategic implication is that AI should be treated as a force multiplier within IT and operating models, not a substitute for expert oversight, with talent, operating roles, and decision rights redesigned to emphasize critical thinking, validation, and escalation.