Dr. Khalid bin Mohammed Al-Jarallah
Head of Academic Consulting and Capacity Building Sector – Kaizen Consulting
July 7, 2025
Introduction
Amidst the rapid technological transformations dominated by artificial intelligence and its amazing products, a question arises: Can AI replace human cadres in building and enabling values within organizations?
This question may seem logical given AI’s enormous capabilities in data analysis and behavior prediction, but delving into the nature of organizational values and their available methodologies (the Pioneers methodology as an example) highlights limits that machines cannot overcome.
Organizational Values: a Human Construction
Nature of Values
Values are not just data; they are living principles that shape an organization’s decisions and the behavior of its members. They are based on a deep human understanding of the internal environment and societal characteristics, requiring a high degree of emotional interaction, leadership by example, and practical empowerment of daily behaviors.
Centrality of the Human Role
This concept is manifested in the Pioneers’ philosophy for building and enabling values, which focused on the central role of the leader, teacher, or parent (the human) in building and enabling values. Therefore, talking about ‘replacing’ the specialized consultant in this field with artificial intelligence is an oversimplification of a complex and vital role.
The Role of AI in Enabling Values
What can AI do in this field?
AI can be a powerful supporting tool in analyzing organizational culture, monitoring the extent of interaction with values, and providing data-based recommendations. These are matters that also require human intervention. Specifically, AI can:
- Monitor behavioral gaps.
- Suggest more effective internal communication practices.
- Track changes in cultural trends.
However, it will remain a supporting tool, not a substitute. It cannot facilitate deep dialogue, inspire leadership, or interpret precise human contexts. This is where the role of the consultant comes in, understanding the human before the system, and culture before numbers.
The Pioneers Methodology for Enabling Values
General Framework
For example: The Pioneers Methodology for Enabling Values presents a comprehensive vision based on five interconnected pillars, affirming that building and enabling values are inseparable from the human aspect. Dr. Saad Al-Khalaf says in his book (Philosophy of Values, p.28):
“Values are not just technical job skills, but are based on the individual’s belief in them; therefore, an individual’s acquisition of a value is only achieved by involving them in the process of enabling it, and by transforming the value into a personal conviction and behavioral guide on which they build their choices and positions”.
The Five Pillars
Through a quick tour of the five pillars of the methodology, we can approximate an understanding of what AI can help with and what it cannot:
- Formation
This includes procedural guides for forming or developing the organization’s value system and aligning it with the nature of most employees. Here, the consultant’s role is pivotal in understanding behaviors and trends to ensure the consistency of the value system with employees. - Framing
This is a conceptual reference framework for each value, considering the four dimensions of value: knowledge, emotion, belief, and behavior. AI has a role here if data about the nature of the organization, its individuals, and its sector are available. - Measurement
These are quantitative and qualitative measures of values, including personal interviews where the human element is indispensable. AI can analyze trends and patterns, but it does not interpret results; it needs accurate human interpretation. - Application
This includes activating values through enabling tools, including policies, daily operations, and incorporating them into the employee experience. Here, the need for human and leadership guidance emerges, which cannot be fully simulated automatically. - Sustainability
This involves continuous improvement so that values become part of the organization’s DNA. AI can track indicators that monitor ongoing commitment to organizational values.
AI: a Partner, not a Substitute
Therefore, AI can be depicted not as an assistant but as an army of assistants. However, this army is not enough and must have equipment and gear, in addition to needing brave and wise human leadership that appears and conceals, sometimes retreating despite data encouraging progress, and advancing despite indicators warning of risks.
Conclusion
Artificial intelligence cannot – at least currently – be a substitute for the consultant but rather a supporting partner. This is because the human dimension, naturally connected to values, cannot be automated or reduced to algorithms or analysis tools. Currently, AI is like a small child who hits and misses and needs parental guidance until the child grows up and becomes the one who leads and guides their parents. AI may be the child now who will grow and develop to break through the barrier of human nature and fully simulate it.