Augmented Human Intelligence: The Real Key to AI Success.

Morana Bakula, CEO & President

I had the pleasure of sitting with our Head of Digital Engineering and one of our Solution & Data Architects. They were demoing a new AI capability that, in plain language, allows us to derive insights from 15 years of Bond Loyalty Report data. The tech is impressive, but then our Data Architect said, “the most valuable commodity in business will become employees who can formulate the right question.”

In that moment, I realized a new truth.

We’re surrounded by powerful AI tools, agents, and platforms that can process unimaginable amounts of data and generate insights at lightning speed.

But  AI is only as good as the questions that we ask of it.

The full value of AI won’t be unlocked by access to more data, or even more advanced algorithms. Gartner reports that up to 85% of AI projects fail—most often because teams haven’t clearly defined the problem they’re trying to solve. The real unlock comes through individuals and teams that can think critically, frame problems creatively, and ask the right questions.

When human intelligence and curiosity meet AI’s computational power, we unlock insights that drive real competitive advantage. Companies that embrace data-driven decision-making are 23 times more likely to acquire customers and 6 times more likely to retain them (Bain & Company).

At Bond, we believe the future belongs to companies that invest, not just in AI infrastructure, but in cultivating teams who can challenge assumptions, connect dots, and turn raw capability into strategic impact. This is where true intelligence lives.

Yet, in the AI arms race, most companies are stocking up on data scientists, engineers, and algorithm experts. The irony: the most advanced AI in the world is useless without the right human questions to guide it.

So, then I thought, who’s best at asking those questions?

Not always the people who can code them—but the ones who can frame them.

• Philosophy students trained in logic and ethics.
• English majors skilled in narrative, nuance, and interpretation.
• Sociology grads who understand systems, human behavior, and social context.

These are the disciplines that teach curiosity, critical thinking, and the art of connecting seemingly unrelated dots—exactly the skills that turn AI’s raw output into business-shaping insight.

The next competitive advantage won’t be just in better models, it will be in building teams where diverse thinkers and storytellers work alongside AI, translating possibility into actionable strategy. This means combining tech talent with the philosophers, poets, and observers of human nature. This means bringing them together and celebrating their distinct strengths. Because the future of AI-powered business isn’t only about artificial intelligence; it’s about augmented human intelligence.

When I think about this, I truly get excited about our team at Bond, the work that we do, and the value that we are bringing to our clients.