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Why Training Matters More Than Tools
Practical guidance on why training matters more than tools and what to do about it.
28 Dec 2025•1 min read•
The point
Why Training Matters More Than Tools is not a technology statement. It is a decision quality statement.
The decision lens for this topic
Ask: "What would a good decision look like without AI?" Then ask: "What does AI change - speed, coverage, consistency, or risk?" If you cannot answer, you are not ready to automate this decision.
Why this matters
AI changes work visibility. Some people will look more productive. Others will look less productive. The difference may be tooling, not talent.
Typical failure modes
- Output-based evaluation rewards fast text generation over real outcomes
- Managers mistake polish for competence
- Teams stop learning because AI removes the struggle that builds skill
People rule
Evaluate decisions and outcomes, not just volume of output.
Better ways to evaluate performance with AI in the mix
- Require "work notes": assumptions, sources, and reasoning
- Use review rubrics: correctness, clarity, risk awareness, customer impact
- Track outcomes: conversions, defects, churn, cycle time, rework
Takeaway
AI should raise standards for judgment and ownership - not lower the bar to output.