In an AI world where computers can outthink humans, how do you define your value as a human?
Maybe your value comes from how well you leverage it – a common leap I find when this topic arises.
Here are three novel ways I have heard AI being used recently:
- A former client has taken the Positive Intelligence framework and created an entire application, using AI, to reinforce his learning. It includes the ability to adopt different coach “voices” depending on the problem you’re looking to solve, journalling prompts, and coaching tips based on the emotions you identify in those journalling prompts.
- Another client shared how his son uses AI to study better. First, he studies for his test, then he asks AI for typical questions related to his topic, then he has AI draft and answer exam questions. He’s doing so well his teacher pulled him aside to ask how he’s doing it because he’s breaking the bell curve.
- A friend advised that her child has taught AI how to anticipate how much product he’ll need for an event based on the day of the week, time of day, expected weather, and number of attendees.
Mindset
Your perspective on AI has everything to do with your relationship to it, specifically, your mindset. You decide whether it is positive, negative, or somewhere in-between.
Your mindset includes your beliefs and values. A belief is simply a thought you keep having whereas your values are what motivate you intrinsically. Beliefs and values underly most of your habits, many of which you execute automatically every day without conscious thought.
To change a belief then – like “AI is the worst” – start with your thoughts. You must introduce new thoughts to create new beliefs. You need to get clear on your values, not society’s, so you clearly understand when you are working in alignment with them.
New Perspectives
Let’s open up some new neural pathways by introducing new perspectives on AI.
- Best Friend: What if you saw AI as your best friend who has read every single book in the world and wants to share what they’ve learned?
- Inaccurate: What if you felt misled or even manipulated by AI’s interpretation of your query? Your job would require stepping in and making it right with your own critical thinking.
- Look ma, no hands!: What if you saw AI as the Wild West, like the early days of the internet for those who remember? Anything goes in this “no guardrails” scenario – good, bad, ugly – and your job is to police the content in the absence of an overseer.
- EQ Guide: What if AI could teach you empathy? What would that actually look like from a (currently) non-sentient entity? How do you feel as I suggest this idea?
Choice
AI is here to stay. It is fundamentally changing the nature of work. We are in relationship with AI, whether we recognize it or not. Just as the rise of computers changed how we work, so too is AI freeing up time in ways we are only beginning to recognize.
You get to choose your perspective at all times. You have free will.
You choose the relationship you want with AI just like you get to choose it with humans.
The nature of work may be changing but the good news is, so are you.