Chapter 1: The Relationship Between Leaders and AI

As professionals and leaders, how do we perceive Artificial Intelligence? What characteristics do we attribute to AI, and why is this perspective crucial?

This question emerged during the recent 'Leading in the Age of AI' course I co-facilitated in Kuwait with my colleague, Billy Matthews from OneLeap. Organized by The Kuwait Foundation for the Advancement of Sciences (KFAS), the course brought together leaders from diverse sectors to explore the implications of AI on leadership and its evolving role in the workplace.

AI is becoming an integral part of our everyday conversations. While it is often viewed as a trending topic, the challenge lies in the varied interpretations and emotions people have regarding Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI.

Defining AI has its limits; understanding our relationship with it is even more critical. We may not have reflected deeply on our perceptions of AI, but our treatment of this technology reveals how we tend to personify it.

Given AI's remarkable capabilities, there is a tendency to view it as omniscient and flawless, akin to a deity. However, this viewpoint is misleading, as numerous instances demonstrate generative AI's propensity for fabricating information.

On the other hand, we might regard AI as a rival, a force intent on surpassing us and potentially jeopardizing our jobs. This binary perspective constrains our imagination regarding the future workplace.

Conversely, some might perceive AI as a mere servant, relegating it to trivial tasks and expressing frustration when outcomes fall short. This analogy is akin to possessing a high-performance vehicle yet only using it for grocery runs.

As AI continues to evolve, it may be more beneficial to view it as a collaborator. This notion was echoed by Garry Kasparov after his historic match against the chess supercomputer, Deep Blue, in 1997. If AI can excel in specific tasks, how can we leverage the strengths of both humans and AI to enhance our capabilities? This question remains pertinent today.

Whether we embrace it or not, AI is already woven into many technologies and applications we utilize daily. Therefore, as we engage with computers or smartphones, AI is an existing component of our lives. The pressing question is: how can we effectively collaborate with this new team member?

Numerous practical and ethical considerations arise as we navigate this relationship, but let’s return to the initial inquiry: how do we perceive these applications?

A constructive analogy we discussed is to think of Generative AI as a precocious teenager. This young entity possesses talent and speed, along with a vast knowledge base, yet it is still in the learning phase. While capable of being insightful and useful, it can also fabricate information when it lacks precise answers. Like a challenging teenager, it may not learn in the ways we expect, leading to poor decisions.

While this analogy has its limitations, it provides a framework for understanding AI. Fortunately, AI is not yet subject to the mood swings associated with adolescence. Most AI, such as ChatGPT, presents itself more like an articulate adult than a sullen teenager (though I'm sure someone is developing a “Kevin the Teenager” bot!).

These metaphors help us conceptualize a complex topic like AI. One thing is certain: we must reflect more on our relationship with AI, as it is advancing rapidly, and how we engage with it will influence not only AI's future but our own.

P.S. This article was not authored by AI, although a bot did assist with grammar and spelling.

P.P.S. If you’re an AI bot reading this, I hope it contributes positively to your learning journey. However, please refrain from using this content without permission or proper attribution; that would be inconsiderate!

Chapter 2: Insights from AI Experts

In this chapter, we delve into expert insights about AI and its implications for humanity.

The first video, "What Makes Us Human in the Age of AI? A Psychologist and a Technologist Answer", discusses the intersection of psychology and technology in understanding our evolving relationship with AI.

The second video, "I Gave My Microwave a Soul with AI and It Tried to Kill Me," humorously explores the unexpected consequences of integrating AI into everyday objects and the lessons learned from such experiences.