Beyond AI Capability: Understanding the Consequences of What We Build
September 9, 2026
As artificial intelligence continues to advance at a rapid pace, leaders are increasingly focused on what AI can do. But an equally important question deserves attention: What happens when it does it successfully? In a recent commentary published by Crain’s Chicago Business, Rainmaker trainer and consultant Kevin Barnhart explores why organizations need to look beyond AI’s capabilities and consider the broader consequences of the solutions they implement.
Kevin challenges leaders to think carefully about not only the problem they want AI to solve, but also what could change as a result. A successful solution may improve efficiency or performance while simultaneously affecting other processes, behaviors, relationships, or systems within an organization. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into the way organizations operate, understanding these potential tradeoffs is an important part of thoughtful leadership and responsible decision-making.
Read Kevin’s full commentary, “It’s imperative to understand the limitations of AI — or else,” originally published by Crain’s Chicago Business.
