The phrase “Now I’ve heard it all” came to mind while I was interviewing a Subject Matter Expert for a new, highly customized Strategic Business Negotiations simulation we’re designing.

When Simulation Design Meets AI-Powered Practice

The client’s challenge was clear: how do you rapidly test, reinforce, and elevate IT professionals’ mastery of new operating systems and critical security protocols, at global scale, without relying on passive training or basic knowledge checks?

Advantexe, a global leader in simulation-centric learning, and our partner Yoodli addressed this challenge by designing a bold, AI-enabled learning experience built around realistic role plays and structured practice. Yoodli is an AI-powered role-play and coaching platform that allows learners to engage in guided conversations, receive immediate, personalized feedback, and practice critical skills repeatedly in a safe, scalable environment.

By pairing the power of the Yoodli platform with Advantexe’s experienced instructional design and real-world business context, the program enabled learners to actively apply new knowledge, strengthen decision-making, and build confidence in handling complex, security-critical scenarios.

During a recent workshop discussion about the evolution of AI, and the fear that it will take all the jobs, disrupt the economy, and redefine the future of work forever, one of the participants said something that stopped the room cold:

“No matter what happens, your AI assistant will never eat a pizza.”

It was such a simple, almost humorous statement. But it was also profound.

He was referring to a fundamental truth about the U.S. economy: it is, and will remain, consumer-driven. And consumers—human consumers—will always be the ones eating the pizza.

AI may order it.

AI may optimize the supply chain behind it.

AI may manage the labor scheduling, demand forecasting, marketing campaigns, revenue management, and customer service interactions.

AI may even send you the perfect personalized offer at 5:32 p.m., right before you hit decision fatigue and give in to the pepperoni.

But it will never take a bite.

And that insight matters.

Because while AI is becoming indispensable to workflows, productivity, and decision-making (I myself would love to reward my AI assistant with a hot slice), the economic engine still ultimately relies on human behavior, human choice, and human consumption.

From a business acumen perspective, there are five big things today’s leaders should take away from this “AI will never eat the pizza” truth:

It’s earnings season, and publicly traded companies are conducting their quarterly earnings calls. As usual, Q3 2025 is filled with good news and bad news. While the estimated GDP growth rate was a fairly robust 4%, a lot of companies, especially those that rely on consumer purchasing power, are starting to feel the impact of a bifurcated economy where higher wage earners continue to spend, but lower wage earners continue to struggle.

As a leader in the design, development, and delivery of Business Acumen training programs, I pay special attention to these trends because they influence how we teach financial literacy and best-practice business decision-making. The pattern we’re seeing isn’t just about numbers; it’s about how leaders interpret and act on those numbers.

“Yeah, yeah, yeah… save the talk about the value proposition. What’s the cheapest price you can give me?”

If that line sounds familiar, you’re not alone. Across almost every industry, the buying process has devolved into a race to the bottom where “value” is measured only in dollars and cents, and where differentiation feels impossible because the customer believes all quality is equal.

But let’s pause and think about that for a moment.

The Kia EV9 Analogy
Take the Kia EV9. In 2025, this electric SUV, priced around $54,000, is packed with features: a long-range battery, advanced safety systems, and technology that would’ve seemed futuristic in 2000. Back then, a car with that level of performance and sophistication would have cost more than $60,000 in year-2000 dollars, and even then, wouldn’t have come close to the quality, reliability, and efficiency of today’s Kia.

The only thing it lacks? A BMW or Mercedes badge on the grille.

In other words, the world has changed. Quality is everywhere. Differentiation is harder to see. And yet, customers are more demanding than ever.