In the age of artificial intelligence, we can expect new forms of communication and, consequently, new forms of embarrassment, like getting outwitted by a particularly nasty chatbot on Twitter. In this case, though, we’re talking about how to use AI to avoid embarrassment.

So let’s consider some ways AI can use data to help us rather than insult our intelligence.

The Customer Sells Rakes, Not Cakes.

There are a whole lot of businesses out there. Who can be expected to know all of them? Yet as a B2B sales rep, you’re juggling a bunch of different prospects: this company repairs vintage clocks; that one sells glow-in-the-dark cats. Trying to keep track, you’re bound to hit a snag. There you are, congratulating the head of a company about his artisanal noodle company when he actually runs a firm that provides legal services to sous chefs. The shame! All the more reason you need AI to keep track of all that stuff: specifics of behaviors, buying patterns, and so on. It’ll keep track of all the data on what a business does way better than a bunch of sticky notes on your monitor. You won’t try to sell the wrong thing to the wrong customer because you’ll know everything about the company as the AI surfaces the right information at the right moment, you adorable dope.

Did You Forget to Send That Email, Dummy?

There are so many ways to make a terrible fool of yourself on email. Misunderstanding the customer’s business is bad enough, but losing track of important emails and botching the deal? How can you show your face at the office bagel slicer? But AI-powered email tracks incoming and outgoing emails, extracts the relevant data, shares it with the team, and automates the whole process, saving 4.26 hours a week on average in pointless data entry and you the shame of not knowing how your inbox works.

That Company You’re Calling Has Been Out of Business for a Year.

Seriously, stop scanning the virtual phone book for prospects. You’re calling and calling and have no idea that the owner of the company packed up and left for that trip around the world. That’s what you call a bad lead. So how to know which customer is primed to buy and which is dang close to shutting its doors altogether? The magic word here is lead scoring, and it’s a way for AI to crunch data in order to determine who are the best prospects to pursue at any given time. Marketers will figure out these ideal prospects based on how potential customers respond to email campaigns and other content. The results will be passed to the sales rep who won’t have to worry that the lead is going to go nowhere.

Could You Get Off the Phone? There’s a Customer Tweeting Angrily at You.

We all have to accept that we must reach customers where they are: on social sites like Twitter and Facebook, on mobile messaging apps, occasionally even on the phone. But there you are, sitting by the phone, waiting for it to ring. Meanwhile customers are lighting up social media with all kinds of valuable feedback and, occasionally, swear words. Social listening powered by AI can find keywords and determine public sentiment about the brand. It can also find influencers, bring in new customers, and provide new avenues for customer service.

You can’t help being embarrassed. But that’s what AI is designed to help you avoid. You’re gonna screw up. Don’t worry. You’re only human.

For more ways to use machines to maintain your professional self-esteem, check out our guide to AI.