The AI Paradox: How to Make the Most of What AI Can & Can’t Do

Have you ever been frustrated by the sheer absurdity of AI’s capabilities? One minute it’s doing advanced calculus like it’s nothing, and the next, it can’t even count simple survey responses correctly. Yeah, I’ve been there. It’s maddening. Welcome to the weird world of AI—where brilliance and baffling incompetence coexist.

Today, let’s dive into what’s behind this frustrating paradox and, more importantly, how you can turn it to your advantage as an AI-driven marketer.

Meet Moravec’s Paradox: Why AI Is Brilliantly Dumb

Here’s what’s at play: Moravec’s Paradox. It’s the bizarre phenomenon that explains why AI can crush some incredibly complex tasks yet fail spectacularly at seemingly simple ones.

We typically imagine intelligence as a linear progression. You learn to count before tackling algebra, right? But with AI, it’s not linear at all. Think of AI intelligence as an ink splat rather than a neat, glowing orb—some advanced skills shoot way out, and frustrating gaps exist everywhere in between.

Examples That Make You Question Reality:

AI generates stunning, photorealistic images but gives people six fingers. Seriously?
It masters advanced reasoning overnight but struggles to count simple words or survey responses.

I won’t bore you with the detailed tech explanations (you can Google “Moravec’s Paradox” if you’re curious), but here’s the deal for marketers: You don’t need to deeply understand why it happens. You just need to recognize when it does.

How Marketers Can Thrive in the Chaos

Instead of banging your head against the keyboard every time AI stumbles, let’s flip the script. Understanding AI’s limitations and strengths is your competitive edge.

Here’s how:

Focus on strengths: AI struggles with basics like counting? Fine, let it handle what it excels at—complex calculations, quick summaries, and advanced analytics.
Mitigate weaknesses: Use reliable alternatives for its weak points. Can’t count survey responses? Have AI push data into Excel and count there.
Strategic application: Know what AI struggles with (like realistic video or fingers in images), and plan around these gaps.

Keep Your Finger on AI’s Pulse

AI’s weird limitations are temporary. Improvements happen at lightning speed. Remember when AI couldn’t reason through simple tasks just months ago? Now OpenAI’s newer models (like the O3 and upcoming versions) handle reasoning remarkably well.

Watch for updates not just on flashy features, but on basics:

AI can now count the “R’s” in strawberry—small win but significant improvement.
Fingers in AI-generated images are getting better—another small but impactful improvement.

Your advantage as an AI marketer is staying ahead by understanding what’s changing beneath the hype.

Turn Frustration into Your Competitive Edge

If AI were perfect, everyone would use it effortlessly, wiping out any competitive advantage. So, yes, it’s frustrating—but it’s exactly that imperfection that allows savvy marketers like you to shine.

Leverage AI’s strengths, creatively mitigate its weaknesses, and constantly adapt your strategies to the newest improvements.

Want to Dive Deeper?

Join me in San Diego on March 30 at the Social Media Marketing World Conference. It’s hands down the best event to learn more about AI marketing right now, packed with actionable insights and practical strategies. I’ll be speaking and hosting an AMA with Michael Stelzner, with an entire lineup tailored specifically for marketers leveraging AI.

Turn AI’s paradox into your marketing superpower—let’s chat in San Diego!