At the end a bustling workshop with a leading ed-tech company, the workshop sponsor and divisional general manager, Michael, assured the team, "Don't worry, I'm not going to use AI to review your memos." While well-intentioned, this misguided "assurance" highlighted and reinforced a common misconception about AI's role in our professional lives.

I couldn't let that fly.

"Michael, imagine if your radiologist said, 'Don't worry, I'm not going to use AI to review your scans,'" I challenged. "I hope you’d run for the hills. Wouldn’t you want them to use every tool available to ensure the best outcome?"

In healthcare and business alike, AI isn't about replacing human judgment but augmenting it, leading to more informed decisions, deeper insights, and better outcomes.

Michael's incident reflects a larger cultural hesitance towards AI, particularly among leaders. When managers express reluctance or skepticism towards AI, it subtly discourages their teams from leveraging this powerful tool, potentially stifling innovation and efficiency.

To embrace AI and augment your intelligence:

1. Celebrate AI successes: Use AI and highlight how it has enhanced your decision-making processes. Share stories of AI uncovering overlooked insights or streamlining operations.

2. Promote AI literacy: Educate yourself and your team on AI's capabilities and potential through workshops, resources, and expert demonstrations of practical applications in your field.

Remember, your stance on AI sets the tone for your organization. By embracing and advocating for AI, you foster a culture of curiosity, efficiency, and innovation.

A Confession and a Challenge

I'll start: I confess (or proudly proclaim): I've used AI to help craft this post. This isn't a surrender of creativity or intellect but an enhancement of it. AI helped me organize my thoughts, refine my arguments, and ensure clarity, allowing me to share my insights more effectively. It trimmed the typical ~40 min writing process down to less than 10 minutes.

I challenge you, regardless of your role or industry, to explore how AI can augment your intelligence and creativity. View AI as a valuable ally in your continuous quest for improvement and innovation. Embrace the power of AI to amplify your human potential and make more informed, data-driven decisions.

Start your journey today by identifying one area where AI can enhance your work. Experiment, learn, and grow alongside this transformative technology. The future belongs to those who harness the power of human-machine collaboration.

Related: The Problem with Human x AI Collaboration
Related: The ChatGPT-powered conversation that produced this blog post

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