The current era of efficiency and optimization has ushered in AI assistants and automation to help get the job done faster. While these tools undoubtedly accelerate performance, companies should not squander one of the greatest currencies of the digital age—or any age: human connection. I’ve found that combining human ingenuity, grit and an obsession with solving customers’ problems with smart technology is a winning formula.

Here’s why: The more AI is applied to business, the more important human connection becomes. Only humans can care about customer problems, and that is the key to business success. While technology saves time and dollars, people can take away the worry. Customers value interpersonal relationships, and if people no longer feel cared about, can we really call ourselves successful entrepreneurs solving real-world challenges?