From the Cart to the Car: How Artificial Intelligence and Business Intelligence are Redefining Human Efficiency

Artificial intelligence and Business Intelligence tools weren't created to replace humans, but to amplify their ability to produce results more efficiently and effectively. Professor Lacier Dias, entrepreneur, strategy, technology, and digital transformation specialist, PhD candidate at Fundação Dom Cabral and founder and CEO of B4Data, compares this movement to the civilizational leap from the cart to the car: both serve the same transportation function, but with radically different performance levels.

According to Lacier, AI follows the same logic. "Technology only makes sense when it improves people's lives. Just as the car didn't eliminate the need for a driver, but gave them speed and comfort, artificial intelligence and BI don't nullify the human role, but elevate their performance, allowing them to do more in less time." This is where AI becomes a productivity amplifier: it processes large volumes of data, organizes information, and delivers fast answers, allowing employees to focus their energy on what truly creates value.

However, Lacier reminds us that no algorithm replaces the critical, creative, and ethical capacity of human beings. Emotions, intuitions, and moral judgments are irreplaceable. AI acts as a catalyst, reorganizing workflows and reducing bottlenecks, but it needs well-structured and curated databases to function. "An AI without a repertoire doesn't perform magic. On the contrary, it can even hinder progress. But a well-fed AI transforms into a true accelerator of results," he emphasizes.

The core message is clear: just as the transition from horse-drawn carriages to automobiles transformed how we live and work, AI and BI represent the natural evolution of modern corporate thinking. They don't diminish human agency, but ensure that, within the same timeframe, people can achieve more, with higher quality, and with a superior strategic impact.