The Expert Illusion: How AI Makes It Easy to Look Credible—And Why Intuition Still Wins
We’re living in a golden era of possibility—and illusion.
With a few free tools, anyone can launch a “consulting agency,” call themselves a “top voice in AI,” and look like a seasoned thought leader by dinner.
I recently helped a client vet someone who looked incredibly impressive on paper. Their website sparkled. Their LinkedIn had shiny titles. They even claimed to be named one of the “Top Women in AI.”
AI summarized their profile and gave it a digital thumbs-up.
But something felt off.
So I zoomed in.
What I Found
Upon closer inspection, things didn’t add up:
The so-called “Top Women” recognition wasn’t published anywhere reputable.
The certifications? Unverifiable. Not issued by recognized institutions—just vague course names and custom labels.
A deeper web search revealed no public record of third-party endorsements or speaking credits.
The AI didn’t catch it. I did—because I knew what to look for, and I knew what not to ignore.
The Rise of the “Artificial Authority”
Tools like ChatGPT, Canva, and even voice generators can help anyone craft:
A professional-looking website
Personalized “certifications”
Awards and accolades (with no one asking where they came from)
This isn’t illegal. It’s just… unchecked.
And that’s the real risk.
Why Human Intuition Still Matters
AI is powerful—but it doesn't have a gut.
It doesn't sense contradiction.
It doesn’t notice when a title doesn’t match the track record.
It doesn’t question why someone is the only person with a certain certification.
Humans do.
That instinct—that twinge of “something’s off”—is one of your most powerful tools.
How to Vet Like a Pro (Even in an AI World)
Whether you’re hiring a coach, agency, or strategic partner, here are five simple prompts to protect your brand and reputation:
Search the Award or Certification: Can you find a public issuer? Can others earn it too?
Ask for Proof: A real certification will have a link, institution, or cohort.
Check Their Work: Are they showing real case studies, or just hypothetical AI dreams?
Follow the Timeline: Do the claims of “decades of AI experience” match when GenAI even became available?
Trust Your Gut: If something feels too polished or too vague, it probably is.
Final Thought
We love what AI can do. It’s a force multiplier. But it’s also a credibility amplifier—for better or worse.
AI can make anyone look legit.
But legitimacy isn’t in the look—it’s in the receipts.
AI might write the bio, but only humans can read between the lines.
If you’re building your authority the right way—or want help decoding someone else’s—reach out. I specialize in helping professionals cut through the noise, ask smarter questions, and build trust in plain sight.
Work smarter. Stress less. Trust your instincts.
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🟡 PlainSight FYI: Helping businesses use AI for decision intelligence, due diligence, and visibility—without the tech overwhelm.
