I’ll begin this article with a confession: I’ve vehemently been opposed to Artificial Intelligence (AI) for the past several years. I’ve refused to use it in any way, even the predictive language programming in word documents. This concern was based on the concern that I would succumb to the simplicity of its use and become a regular user, giving up my own mental and thought sovereignty. Admittedly, I am still a bit apprehensive, but some recent conversations with colleagues have me re-thinking and even rejecting my previous perspective.
AI is here to stay. There is no doubt it will bring significant disruption with it. While I am still cautiously moving into the space of accepting it as a tool, I realize that we are in the midst of a transformational change. This leaves us with two options:
1. Be a victim to it or
2. Embrace it and get ahead of it, creating the human-AI collaboration that will benefit us.
By us, I mean humanity. We can use AI to deepen our human connections with each other.
If we remain complacent in the AI transformation, we allow it to determine the future of our reality, thereby becoming mere minions in the change. By embracing it however, we have the ideal opportunity to create a future in which we remain in control. Lets begin by understanding transformational change.
Transformational change: Transformational change is one that presents us with significant ramifications. It is a new way of being (Barrett Values Center), often resulting in a shift of values. The end is undefined because there is not enough meaning or understanding of the final result. It is defined as a journey requiring multiple check points for measurement often directed by principles – and in this case principals.
In the case of AI, this provides us with the opportunity to become involved and create the change that we want, not the change that someone --or something-- else wants.
Locus of control: Maintaining control over the AI transformation ensures that it is principled, based on our human values we can allow AI to write the unknown or we can write it ourselves.
Use of AI: Defining how we use AI might be the greatest opportunity that we have to ensure a desired human outcome. What a possibility to create meaning, connection, and empathy. Using AI to assist us with the task-oriented, time consuming work that takes us away from those very human to human connections opens vast new doors. New pathways to allow for us as humans to use the very thing that separates us from AI: creativity, thought, and a connection to something deeper – more meaningful.
When we are too busy being stuck in the past or even the present, we limit our ability to create the very future that we desire. What separates us from AI is our very own human-ness. The exact thing of which we need to take control, through our principles and shape a future, a reality, that benefits everyone. I’m not saying that this will create a utopia, after all one person’s utopia is another’s nightmare. I am saying that together, in the spirit of human connection we can work to make our partnership with AI something that has a great benefit.
Curious? So am I. I am just embracing the very idea that AI could actually bring us together. Stay with me as I explore ways to engage with AI that enables deeper human to human connections, improve leadership and employee engagement, enhances relationships, and ignite a new wave of empathy.
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