Is AI Hurting or Improving Business?

 By David Pyrdol

Artificial intelligence has the potential to take over the business industry with new technologies that may replace human intervention, raising both concerns and excitement about its use.

One study by the Pew Research Center found most experts in AI predict a positive future in the next 20 years with AI.

Nick Davies, a Stonehill student majoring in economics, said businesses need to incorporate AI to stay viable.

“You need to keep up with the times. If you don’t integrate AI into your business, then you are falling behind,” said Davies.

Peter Langton, assistant professor of management and data analytics at Stonehill, said society will adapt.

“We went from horses to cars, trains to planes. We will adapt, but there are bumps in the road, and AI will be one of those tools,” said Langton.

Langton said Microsoft Excel was a leap forward in technology when it comes to computing large amounts of data, and AI is similar.

Jennifer Cwik, another Stonehill student, majoring in accounting, said AI is beneficial in business when used responsibly.

“As businesses use AI ethically and in a responsible way, then it’s good to use and it has its benefits,” said Cwik.

A study by the Pew Research Center found about 56% of AI experts are optimistic about the future with AI, but that same study found 43% of U.S. adults believe that AI will harm them in the next 20 years.

Langton said computers and AI are not necessary when it comes to tasks that involve human emotion.

“I don’t want to ever see a world where we no longer have a human judge. Humans get to make emotional decisions, where computers should not,” Langton said.

Joshua Ucran, another Stonehill student, majoring in business, said AI can help with tasks where humans can’t efficiently accomplish.

“Humans can’t do everything. AI can be helpful for catching the small things that a person might miss,” said Ucran.

Presley Titus, another Stonehill student, majoring in marketing, said one area AI can be used in is advertising.

“Some things can’t be done without AI. It’s not lazy, it looks good,” said Titus.

Cwik, the Stonehill student, said most businesses need to use AI to keep up with demand.

“Most businesses have to get involved with AI. Business practices should stay relevant and not fall behind competitors,” Cwik said.

Langton said AI is designed to be unknown and complex.

“It’s an unknown technology; the risks are what we don’t know about it. We don’t know how accurate it is. We don’t understand how it’s building its algorithms. It’s greater for AI, about the complexity of how it’s designed,” said Langton.

Ucran said AI is used for automating simple processes but still requires a human to check for facts.

“Automation, simple processes that used to be done by humans, not by fully taking their place, you need humans as a fact-checker, but simple data entry,” said Ucran.

Titus, the Stonehill student, said AI concerns may be overblown.

“How much AI is used now, in the future, it’s going to be used even more. It’s not harming anyone,” Titus said.

Davies, the Stonehill student, said AI will slowly enter business, resulting in people adapting to it.

“It’s going to be slowly integrated, and we will get more and more used to it,” Davies said.

References:

AI Experts Study: https://www.pewresearch.org/internet/2025/04/03/how-the-us-public-and-ai-experts-view-artificial-intelligence/

Stonehill College Students Interviewed:

- Jennifer Cwik

- Nick Davies

- Presley Titus

- Joshua Ucran

Stonehill College Professor Interviewed:

- Peter Langton