In the Age of AI, the Gap in Critical Thinking Hidden Behind Convenience – U.S. Correspondence by Jay Lee (171)

Understanding Context and Applying Information Remains a Human Responsibility

Unverified Use Can Lead Work in Unexpected Directions—Real Cases Emerging

Expert Review Is Essential for Proper Setup in Export Regulatory Compliance

By Jongchan Lee, CEO of J&B Food Consulting

As AI rapidly expands across industries, the food sector is no exception. From production and quality control to marketing and demand forecasting, AI is significantly improving efficiency and speed. In the U.S. market in particular, data-driven decision-making powered by AI has already become standard practice, enabling companies to reduce costs while strengthening competitiveness.

However, the reality on the ground is more complex than simply calling AI “convenient.” While it undoubtedly enhances efficiency, unverified use can lead to unintended consequences. This issue becomes especially critical in areas such as export regulatory compliance, where laws, standards, and interpretations vary widely across countries.

In such cases, relying solely on AI-generated information without expert validation can result in fundamentally flawed direction-setting—what might be described as “heading the wrong way entirely.”

Recently, there has been a noticeable increase in cases where clients first gather information through AI tools and then request regulatory consulting based on those results. On the surface, this appears efficient. However, key elements are often missing in the process.

For example, clients frequently request specific data or analysis without clearly articulating why they are asking the question or what decision the information is meant to support. When the direction of the question is unclear, the results often fail to address the core issue. In some cases, teams even become constrained by the AI’s framing, slowing down progress rather than accelerating it.

This trend reveals a deeper, structural issue. One of the most noticeable changes in the field is a decline in logical thinking and comprehension skills. Tasks that once involved straightforward understanding and organization of information are becoming increasingly difficult. This is particularly evident in non-face-to-face communication, such as email, where even detailed instructions are often not fully read or properly understood.

What is striking is that this is not merely an individual issue. As access to information becomes easier through AI, people tend to skip the process of thinking and structuring information themselves.

In other words, as the process of thinking is outsourced to external tools, critical capabilities—judgment, interpretation, and contextual understanding—are gradually weakening. This is especially concerning in industries like food, where regulation and safety are paramount.

AI is ultimately just a tool. It excels at quickly gathering and organizing information, but understanding context and applying that information appropriately in real-world situations remains a human responsibility. In areas such as export regulations, food safety, and quality management, validation based on experience and expertise is indispensable.

Clear definition of the question’s purpose, critical evaluation of results, and integration of expert judgment when necessary must always accompany the use of AI.

Machine translated

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jay@jnbfoodconsulting.com or 714-873-5566

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