We have sys­te­ma­ti­cally tes­ted where AI truly helps in our rese­arch and design process—and where it does not. The result is both sobering and hel­pful: AI simu­la­tes know­ledge and under­stan­ding remar­kably well, but it has limi­ted ability to trans­late that know­ledge into sound design, eva­lua­tion, and prac­ti­cal decis­i­ons. For us, it is pre­cis­ely this distinc­tion that con­sti­tu­tes true AI expertise.