Dr. Tunji Olugbodi, Executive Vice Chairman of Verdant Zeal Group, has cautioned business leaders against the blind rush to adopt artificial intelligence (AI) without strengthening human judgment, warning that such an approach could erode brand integrity and weaken customer trust, Veracity Desk (veracitydesk.com) can confirm.
Speaking during the 2026 Customer Service Week, Olugbodi stressed that while AI can generate more designs, scripts, and campaign ideas, “a polished result may still misunderstand the audience, misrepresent a cultural reference, or make a promise the organisation cannot keep.”
He argued that leadership must remain accountable for the standards their organisations uphold. “AI should expand what capable people can accomplish. Its usefulness depends partly on the knowledge and judgment they bring to the work,” he said.
Olugbodi emphasised that designers must still recognise what fits the brand, strategists must question whether ideas solve the right problem, and business leaders must decide what standard the organisation will stand behind. He urged companies to invest not only in teaching teams how to use new tools but also in strengthening their ability to question, select, and refine what those tools produce.
He further advised that time saved through AI should be redirected into better research, deeper customer understanding, and more thoughtful work. “For leaders, the question extends beyond how much faster the team has become. Has the work become better?” Olugbodi asked pointedly.
His remarks highlight the growing debate around AI in business: speed versus substance. As organisations embrace new technologies, Olugbodi insists the ultimate measure of success must remain the preservation of standards that define credibility, trust, and long-term customer loyalty.
