AI, decoded: separating fact from fiction in global benefits

Artificial Intelligence is transforming how we work, but for many HR and benefits leaders, questions still remain over how AI will transform their role in practice.

At Origin, we work closely with global benefits teams who are responsible for some of the most sensitive and complex programs in their organizations. These are HR professionals who are rightly cautious about how new technologies might impact their data, decision-making, and employee experience.

Too often, the power of AI is misunderstood. It’s either overpromised as a magic fix or rejected based on outdated fears. And I believe it is time to set the record straight.

Here are five of the most common myths I’ve heard about AI in our space. And why I feel they no longer hold up.

Myth one: “AI will replace human expertise”

This is the big one. And it is quite simply, wrong. AI is not here to replace humans. It’s here to help people do their jobs better. In global benefits, that means giving teams visibility over - and faster access to - their data. It means reducing repetitive and admin-heavy tasks, allowing teams to be more strategic, and surface insights from complex documents. At Origin, our Artificial Benefits Intelligence Cuido™ is your partner, working alongside your team, supporting better decisions and helping you get to the crux of the information you need so you can take action.

Myth two: “AI is a black box”

Another common concern is that AI is too opaque. That it gives you answers without showing how it got there. That might be true of some platforms, but it is not how we work at Origin. Cuido is transparent by design. Every AI-generated response is clearly labelled, traceable to its source, and fully auditable. If the AI flags a clause in a policy document, you can see exactly where it came from and why it matters. There are no secrets, no shortcuts, and no unexplained outputs. AI is the answer to the benefits ‘black box’ - not the other way around.

Myth 3: “AI compromises data privacy”

This one matters deeply. Especially in global benefits where trust and confidentiality are everything. Origin was built with privacy at its core. Through our usage of ephemeral processing, Cuido never stores data on any questions asked, never retains session history, and never uses client information to train models. Personally identifiable information (PII) is identified at the point of ingestion and never loaded, and it goes without saying that each client’s environment is completely isolated.

We comply with GDPR, CCPA, the EU AI Act, and SOC 2 standards. And we do this not just because we have to, but because it’s the right thing to do.

Myth 4: “AI isn’t safe for regulated industries”

Some leaders assume that because their sector is highly regulated, AI is too risky to use. But I would argue the opposite.

In regulated environments, the right AI system can actually strengthen your controls. With Cuido, we have built tools that support auditability, accuracy, and compliance. Not just speed. Everything from model validation and citation tracking to document logging and review workflows is built into the platform. The result is a system that makes governance easier, not harder.

Myth 5: “AI doesn't understand local context”

Global benefits are incredibly nuanced. Every country, every region, and every contract are different. So, it’s fair to ask whether AI can really handle that.

The answer is yes, when it is purpose-built.

Cuido is designed to process benefits documentation in any language and structure that data in a way that is clear, actionable, and globally consistent. We do not expect AI to guess or generalize. We build it to read, translate, and organize information the right way, every time.

Let’s talk about what’s real

AI is not a gimmick or a guess. When done right, it’s a powerful tool that helps HR and benefits teams work smarter, faster, and more confidently. It supports strategic decision-making, improves visibility, helps to reduce cost and reduces risk. Especially when embedded within a secure, well-governed platform.

At Origin, we are not here to hype AI. We are here to deliver it responsibly. That means clear data boundaries, human oversight, and complete transparency at every step.

Because in the end, it’s not about technology for technology’s sake. It’s about giving benefits professionals the clarity and confidence they deserve.