Let's be honest: you've likely been using ChatGPT to write or at least edit most of your emails, right? It makes sense; these tasks are often time-consuming and quite menial. Plus, not leveraging AI tools today could not only hinder your productivity but also come with societal pressures, like appearing uninformed, potentially impacting your career.

I want to make something clear: my purpose here isn't to fearmonger. Instead, I want to explore how humans and AI can coexist, especially when the current priority seems to be on AI's capability and speed rather than its broader impact.

I personally use AI in various ways daily, but I also like to think big-picture about the long-term societal effects of our everyday choices. A friend and former coworker once said something to me that inspired this entire discussion:

"The use of AI tools will make the once unimaginable accessible, whereas a reliance on AI tools may create an atrophy of knowledge."

History repeats itself

I always look to the past whenever I am curious about something happening in current day. I find that often times it allows you to make more informed decisions. But was there ever anything similar to today's use of AI models, chatbots and agents?

The short answer is, yes.

🏭 The Industrial Revolution introduced the first steam-powered mechanisms, automating many jobs that replaced artisan weavers and textile workers. It led to debate around wages, working conditions, and struggles adapting to new machinery.

🚙 The invention of the automobile came with the internal combustion engine and assembly line which completely decimated jobs in the horse and buggy industry such as blacksmiths, carriage makers, stable hands, and horse breeders.

📖 The typewriter and early computers revolutionized office work, improving one person's ability to write, record-keep, and perform complex calculations. Copyists, clerks, and human computers lost their jobs to the automation.

💻 The internet became a new canvas that reduced jobs for print designers and others creating visual layouts. It came with an entirely new market, creating a shift in focus from the physical world to a new digital one.

The common theme here: radical innovations can come with big changes, but hope is never completely lost. It just requires adaptability and keeping an eye out for where the work is shifting. Something interesting to mention, not all industries are impacted by a change in the same way. The internet didn't completely get rid of print designers- it just reduced the number of them needed. Cars may have remove the need for horse breeders in the transportation industry, but horse breeders still exist in a variety of other areas.

Information vs. Knowledge

I believe there is a clear distinction between information and knowledge.

Have you ever heard the saying, "Give a man a fish, feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish, feed him for a lifetime"?

Giving a fish : providing information :: Teaching to fish : providing knowledge

Maybe we can contextualize this to modern day:

"Give a person AI, and you provide an answer today. Teach a person to think critically, and you empower them for a lifetime."

The problem with my modern version is that you can learn a lot using AI, and quickly too. When I say learn, I mean receive new information, apply it, and transform that into actual knowledge- faster than ever before! But emphasis on can; we often choose the path of least resistance regardless of if its the best option.

Faster isn't always better. Sometimes, we need diligence, patience, and time to truly mull things over and grasp them fully. As humans, we integrate our unique feelings, emotions, experiences, and knowledge in ways that are often incomprehensible. This is the dying art of the "shower thought"- that valuable time for reflection without the constant barrage of external information. Just as practicing self-discipline in one area of life often leads to improvements across the board, I believe there's immense value in maintaining that same disciplined approach when utilizing AI tools.

Which leads me to a question: Is it possible to find a perfect balance between AI assistance and human-centered design? (That's still a term, right?)

Human responsibility

For better or worse, we're not going backward. AI tools make complex tasks too easy and streamline processes significantly. While humanity's role in this system is clearly redefining itself, I believe we have a great responsibility to emphasize improving our education systems and up-skilling in the workforce. This can help people leverage AI effectively and discover new ways to coexist with it.

What does that look like for right now?

Short term
Stay up-to-date with the latest tools and prove you know how to use them to find work and thrive. While roles haven't completely changed, the expectations for those roles are actively transforming.

Long term
Don't lose sight of discipline and honing your craft. There's more knowledge to be gained and exploration to experience than any AI model alone can provide, so keep creating, discovering, and pushing boundaries.

I hope you found this thought-provoking, and as always if you have any thoughts or questions please reach out to me. Thank you!

-DK