In the May 15 Women in Ag Tech webinar, Dr. Susan Olsen, Founder of Action Intel, offered an insightful reminder: while generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude.ai are powerful and time-saving, they’re not infallible.
“Think of them as an overzealous intern,” Dr. Olsen explained. “They’re eager to help, always confident in their answers—but that doesn’t mean they’re always right.”
She stressed the importance of verifying AI-generated results, especially when relying on these tools for business decisions or technical insights. While AI can assist with research, writing, and even coding, users must bring their own subject matter expertise to evaluate the accuracy and relevance of the output.
Dr. Olsen also touched on another key element of responsible AI use: company policies. Different organizations have varying guidelines around what AI tools are allowed and how they should be used, particularly when working with proprietary or sensitive data.
“If you’re using company-owned data in an AI tool, it’s always a good idea to double-check that it aligns with your organization’s policy,” she advised.
This portion of the discussion serves as an important reminder that while AI can be a powerful enabler, it must be used thoughtfully and ethically, especially in professional environments like ag tech.
