Being Human in the Age of AI

 In mere months, "the machines" could shoulder countless routine tasks—co-authoring presentations, generating content, and serving as elite analytical partners. These digital allies might morph into collaborators, assistants, and advisors. Yet this partnership casts a looming shadow when we entertain the idea that AI could not just augment us, but ultimately replace us.

To keep that shadow from eclipsing our light, let’s focus today less on what we delegate to "code-driven tools" and more on what we—heartbeats and stories bundled in skin and bone—can uniquely offer the world, even alongside AI.

What dormant potential lies within us, waiting to blossom now? What untapped strengths can we awaken and channel into our newfound superpower? What legacy will we carve into the world that bears the unmistakable mark of human heartbeat?

The Authentic Self

While AI churns out content at the speed of a keystroke, true creativity—raw, imperfect, and deeply personal—is becoming our rarest currency. It’s the messy fusion of our values, dreams, and even quirks that shapes who we are and how we connect. You can think of it as our fingerprint on the world:                flawed, irreplicable, and magnetic.

If AI lifts the burden of routine, we gain fertile ground to strategize, innovate, and nurture deeper roots with our teams. Tomorrow’s leaders won’t just share their values and vision—they’ll guide others through the trek of change. And change, much like hiking untamed trails, leaves us breathless, lost in fog, or scraped by setbacks. A true guide doesn’t just point to the summit; they walk beside you through every thorny thicket.

Authenticity as the New Human Superpower:

1.   Uniqueness beyond algorithms - While advanced models can already be innovative and bring new combinations and insights, each of us is unique, and so can offer the world our own distinctive perspective.

2.   The courage to be imperfect - Mistakes and uncertainties, which machines mask, can become bridges to trust for us.

3.   Living stories instead of prompts - While AI generates content, we build bridges between our experiences, feelings, and diverse worldviews; our imagination can touch others' hearts and awaken curiosity.

Communication and Trust

While AI can suggest content that appears empathetic, trustworthy, and increasingly human-like, there exists a depth in our communication and connection that (for now) cannot be translated into algorithms:

• Unpredictability – the flexibility of our reactions allows us to surprise each other and complement one another in unique ways. We can listen through our lenses and subtly modify the message our partner or partners receive about themselves in our presence. We can work on our lenses to help others fully hear themselves.

• Uniqueness – the ability to build one-of-a-kind relationships in the physical world – friendships, partnerships, bonds with a singular and unrepeatable dynamic.

• The Art of Negotiation – finding common ground, mastering the intersection of what we desire and what we need, and co-creating a vision we can fulfill together.

Prioritization, Intuition, and Decision-Making - Our Inner Compass

In a world overflowing with possibilities, the ability to discern what deserves our "yes" and what requires a firm "not now"—or even a permanent "no"—will define our success. This isn’t just about managing time; it’s about honoring our most precious resource: attention. What rises to the top of your personal hierarchy of meaning?

True clarity could emerge when head, heart, and gut align. Our strongest decisions aren’t just logical—they’re rooted in values, shaped by intuition, and calibrated by that quiet inner voice telling us which north matters most. These choices don’t just solve problems; they map the evolving terrain of who we’re becoming.

Very soon, we’ll be making decisions in a world where even the most thorough analyses leave us unsure of what’s right or wrong. Bold choices grounded in our values will become a skill we refine over time. What will be the first chapter in your playbook for work, business, and building what matters?