I asked Fable and Codex what my business should automate. They disagreed.
Summary
An experiment rigorously compared two AI models, Fable and Codex, by challenging them to identify a business process suitable for automation. Both models were granted comprehensive access to the author's local files and Slack communications, with a clear directive to define a specific problem and subsequently propose an automation solution. Intriguingly, the model the author initially found less appealing ultimately pinpointed a business problem of greater significance. This unexpected result profoundly reshaped the author's methodology for assigning tasks to AI, underscoring the critical importance of empowering AI to "pick the problem" itself, rather than merely selecting prompts or tools. This approach is presented as a crucial challenge for businesses aiming to utilize AI effectively by 2026.
Key takeaway
For AI Product Managers aiming to maximize business value from AI, you should re-evaluate your approach to AI assignments. Instead of solely focusing on crafting precise prompts or selecting tools, empower your AI systems, like Fable or Codex, to autonomously identify and define core business problems by providing them access to relevant internal data. This shift from prompt engineering to problem discovery can uncover more impactful automation opportunities, fundamentally changing how you utilize AI for strategic advantage.
Key insights
AI can effectively identify critical business problems, shifting the paradigm from prompt engineering to problem discovery.
Principles
- Task AI with problem identification.
- Broad data access enhances AI problem-solving.
- User preference doesn't dictate AI efficacy.
Method
Provide AI models access to internal business data (local files, Slack). Obligate them to define a problem and propose an automation solution based on this data.
In practice
- Grant AI access to internal files and communications.
- Instruct AI to define the problem first.
- Prioritize AI output based on problem impact.
Topics
- AI Automation
- Problem Identification
- Business Process Automation
- Fable AI
- Codex AI
- AI Strategy
Best for: Entrepreneur, Director of AI/ML, Consultant, AI Product Manager
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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Nate’s Substack.