How do design leaders know when to override AI recommendations?

Quick Answer: Use the Human Wisdom Check: evaluate Human Impact (wellbeing), Context Layer (recent events), Relationship Web (trust/dynamics), Ethical Compass (conflicting principles), and Future Lens (precedent). Multiple concerns = human-led with AI input. AI has three limitations: ethics blindspots, context conundrums, and relationship amnesia.

Key Characteristics:
  • The Wisdom Paradox: AI overreliance weakens human decision-making capabilities
  • Three AI limitations: ethics blindspots, context conundrums, relationship amnesia
  • Humans process across System 1 (intuitive), System 2 (analytical), and ethical frameworks
  • Three strategic shifts: make invisible visible, preserve wisdom, build ethical literacy
Real Example:

AI flagged an employee for declining metrics. Human conversation revealed she was managing her mother's dementia diagnosis. Human judgment offered support instead of performance review, retaining talent and demonstrating organizational values.

Last Updated: 21 October 2025