How AI Really Thinks: Why Today’s Reality Is Better for Business Leaders
At AI Mentors, we are dedicated to helping executives and decision-makers navigate the evolving landscape of artificial intelligence with clarity and confidence. A recent article from The Wall Street Journal, titled "We Now Know How AI ‘Thinks’—and It’s Barely Thinking at All," offers a timely and important reality check on the true capabilities—and limitations—of today’s AI systems.
It raises a critical question: Is today's AI genuinely "thinking" like a human being? The answer, based on current research, is a thoughtful but firm no—and that’s good news for business leaders.
Is the Article Accurate?
Overall, yes—the article accurately reflects the consensus among many AI researchers, especially those studying large language models (LLMs) such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini.
Today's AI models, including ChatGPT, do not "think" in a human way. Rather, they:
Recognize statistical patterns across vast amounts of text data.
Generate plausible responses based on probability, not true logical reasoning.
Operate through heuristics, approximations, and shortcuts, rather than building causal world models or deep conceptual understanding.
Researchers in the growing field of mechanistic interpretability are making exciting progress in "peering inside" these complex AI systems. What they consistently find aligns with the concept described in the article: today's AIs function as massive "bags of heuristics"—sophisticated collections of learned shortcuts, not genuine reasoners.
Prominent AI leaders, including those at OpenAI and Anthropic, have openly acknowledged these architectural limitations.
Does ChatGPT "Agree" with the Article?
In a sense, yes—and here’s why:
ChatGPT is not conscious and does not reason like a human.
It simulates understanding by generating statistically likely responses based on its training data.
It can appear to reason and solve problems, but fundamentally operates through pattern recognition and rule application, not deep cognition.
When presented with truly novel or unfamiliar scenarios, performance can degrade significantly—exactly as the article outlines.
Why This Reality Is Encouraging
This reality—that today's AI is an advanced tool, not an autonomous thinker—is not a cause for concern. In fact, it’s a highly encouraging sign for businesses and employees alike.
Here’s why:
AI is a supportive tool, not a replacement.
Instead of replacing entire workforces, today's AI tools amplify human potential, helping employees work faster, smarter, and more creatively.Strategic AI adoption enhances competitiveness.
Organizations that strategically implement AI can streamline operations, uncover new insights, and boost productivity—without the risks of mass job displacement feared under full AGI scenarios.There’s a window of opportunity.
Companies that move quickly to adapt and adopt AI will have a significant advantage over slower competitors, capturing early-mover benefits in efficiency, innovation, and market responsiveness.AI complements human strengths.
Critical thinking, creativity, adaptability, emotional intelligence—these remain uniquely human and indispensable in the AI era.
A Call to Action for Business Leaders
This is the moment for leaders to seize the opportunity:
View AI as a collaborator, not a competitor.
Invest in training teams to work effectively alongside AI.
Implement AI strategically and thoughtfully to boost performance without sacrificing the human element.
Stay realistic about what AI can and cannot do—and build business models that harness its strengths while mitigating its limitations.
At AI Mentors, we are committed to helping organizations demystify AI, implement it intelligently, and unlock its transformative potential—empowering your teams rather than replacing them.
Conclusion
The promise of AI is profound, but it must be embraced intelligently and strategically.
Understanding that today's AI does not truly "think" like a human is not a limitation—it is an opportunity to leverage AI as a powerful, supportive ally.
Leaders who act now to implement AI thoughtfully will elevate their organizations, empower their teams, and secure a sustainable competitive advantage for the future.
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Written by AI Mentors
Empowering leaders to understand, implement, and thrive with AI.
