In what situations would you prefer a virtual consultant over a human one?
Hi everyone!
Since GPT-4o came out (GPT-3.5 wasn’t good enough), I’ve been using AI (not only OpenAI) for many things.
I ask questions about marketing, legal stuff, taxes, travel plans, health… almost everything.
It’s fast, always available… (not free, but not expensive either).
But when I have to make an important decision, I still go to a real person — a human consultant — just to be sure and double-check the final details.
I think many people here on Product Hunt use AI a lot too. So I’m curious:
👉 When do you still prefer a human?
👉 When is a virtual consultant enough for you?
Thanks for sharing your thoughts 😊
Replies
For initial research and ideation, such as market trends and activity strategies, I would prefer to use AI tool. However, for high-stakes decisions, it definitely relies on humans and requires further human investigation.
@feliciana_liu This tends to be my approach too especially if i need up to date and accurate information i would definitely need human assistance but AI is useful for general tasks.
Totally get this! I lean on AI for lightning-fast research and drafting (like crunching SEO keywords or untangling API errors), but when stakes are high—say, negotiating equity in a startup deal or navigating a PR crisis—I need a human’s gut instinct and unspoken context. AI’s my 24/7 intern; humans are the battle-tested mentors.
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I think many opt for AI when they ask questions that create embarrassment or are socially unacceptable.
Human approach rather when the situation is very specific and very serious (as you said, taxes, clinical/health diagnoses) etc.
AI has completely changed the way I seek information. For quick research, brainstorming, or structured insights, tools like Perplexity, ChatGPT, and Claude are super helpful. They’re fast, available anytime, and great for exploring different perspectives.
But when it comes to complex decisions—especially legal, financial, or high-stakes business matters—I still prefer a human expert. Context, experience, and intuition matter, and AI can't fully replace that yet.
That said, I often use AI as a first step to gather insights before consulting a real person.