Reader,

I had a nice conversation with my friend TJ this morning. We were talking about AI and how this technology is changing the world of work.

TJ is both excited about AI and just a wee bit worried. Our conversation got us into a short exploration of “on the other hand.”

Here are a few of TJ’s ponderings that I thought worth passing along.

• On the one hand, by using AI I can produce multiple explanations, not just the first plausible one. On the other hand, if I let it provide the “best” explanation, my brain stops building my own explanations.
• On the one hand, it gives me a high-quality starting point for analysis and writing. On the other hand, I’m losing skepticism because it often sounds certain, coherent, and decisive, even when it’s wrong.
• On the one hand, it’s great at summarizing long, complicated material. On the other hand, I’m afraid my learning is becoming passive.
• On the one hand, it helps me translate complexity into a well-organized structure. On the other hand, I’m becoming a “selector of answers” instead of a “builder of understanding.”

And so, we concluded our conversation with a few observations about AI.

• You feel informed but you don’t become more capable.
• You know where to look for quick answers, but you don’t spend enough time deep in thought.
• AI is not a truth machine; it’s a sharp tool that can hurt you if you’re careless.

TJ and I came to a tentative conclusion about this new technology. AI can improve our thinking when it increases our questions. However, it can degrade our thinking when it replaces our questions.

The Prepared Mind Project

We are running a free webinar, Don’t be Taken by Surprise, this Wednesday. Join us if you can. You can get the info HERE.​

Bill