How You Become Irreplaceable In The Age Of AI

In a world where artificial intelligence is rapidly advancing, many of us are left wondering: Will AI take our jobs? Will it capture the attention of our children? Could it even strip away our humanity? These are the pressing questions of our time, and they’re at the heart of Pascal Bornet’s new book, “Irreplaceable: The Art of Standing Out in the Age of Artificial Intelligence.”

I recently had the pleasure of interviewing Bornet about his book and his insights on thriving in an AI-driven world. His perspective is both enlightening and reassuring: AI, when approached correctly, can actually make us more human and more valuable in the workplace.

The Human-Centric Approach To AI

"AI is all about humans," Bornet told me. "Without humans, first of all, there would be no AI, and any AI that we create should serve us. Otherwise, it's just a waste."

This human-centric approach to AI is the foundation of Bornet's framework for becoming irreplaceable. He identifies three key competencies that we all need to develop: being AI-ready, human-ready, and change-ready.

Developing AI Literacy

Being AI-ready is about more than just understanding how to use the latest AI tools. It's about developing what Bornet calls "AI literacy" – the ability to stay updated on AI advancements, understand their impact on our jobs, and critically evaluate the benefits and risks. It's also about learning to use AI ethically and effectively, augmenting our abilities rather than replacing them.

"We need to know how to build this connection between AI and humans," Bornet emphasized. "The future is not about AI and humans living completely separate lives. The only way forward is to augment ourselves."

Embracing Our Humanity

Being Human-Ready is perhaps the most critical and counterintuitive aspect of thriving in the age of AI. As machines take over more tasks that we once thought were uniquely human, we need to double down on the skills that truly set us apart. Bornet identifies these as the "Humics": genuine creativity, critical thinking, and social authenticity.

"The more different our capabilities are from the capabilities of AI, the more we can create value with AI, the more we can create synergies," Bornet explained. By developing these uniquely human traits, we create a complementarity with AI that allows us to generate more value than either humans or AI could alone.

Adapting To Rapid Change

Being Change-Ready is about developing the resilience and adaptability to thrive in a world evolving at an exponential pace. As Bornet pointed out, "We will see as many innovations in the coming ten years as we have seen in the last century." This requires a new level of mental agility and openness to continuous learning.

The Danger of AI Obesity

One of the most intriguing concepts Bornet introduced is the idea of "AI obesity." Just as we can become physically obese from overconsumption of fast food, we can become mentally obese from over-reliance on AI. The danger isn't that AI will replace our uniquely human abilities but that we might let those abilities wither by satisfying ourselves with AI's shallow capabilities.

"The risk is not AI replacing our Humics, but it is us satisfying ourselves with AI's shallow capabilities, neglecting our Humics, and letting them atrophy like a muscle that we don't use... thereby losing our humanity to AI!" Bornet warned.

Strengthening Our Humics

To combat AI obesity and become truly irreplaceable, Bornet recommends dedicating time each day to exercises that strengthen our Humics. This could involve pursuing creative activities, engaging in critical thinking exercises, or cultivating authentic relationships. The goal is to develop these uniquely human skills to a level that AI cannot match.

Businesses In The Age Of AI

For businesses, becoming irreplaceable in the age of AI involves a similar approach. Companies need to leverage AI to its fullest potential while also prioritizing the human touch. As Bornet noted, "In a world where AI is becoming a commodity, the human touch is gaining value. Companies that are able to grab it will be the winners."

This involves not just implementing AI systems, but redesigning roles and processes to maximize human-AI collaboration. It also requires building trust – with employees, partners, and customers – by being transparent about AI use and addressing ethical concerns head-on.

Preparing The Next Generation

For parents and educators, preparing the next generation to be irreplaceable means reimagining education. Instead of banning AI in schools, we should be teaching children how to work with AI effectively and ethically. At the same time, we need to double down on developing their creativity, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence – the skills that will set them apart in an AI-driven world.

Charting The Course Ahead

As we navigate this new age of AI, the key to success lies not in competing with machines, but in enhancing what makes us uniquely human. By developing our AI literacy, nurturing our Humics, and cultivating our adaptability, we can position ourselves to thrive alongside AI rather than be replaced by it.

As Bornet so aptly put it, "AI is not the destination; it's the vehicle that takes us to a more human future." By embracing this perspective and taking proactive steps to become irreplaceable, we can ensure that the AI revolution enhances rather than diminishes our humanity.

In the end, becoming irreplaceable in the age of AI is not about outperforming machines at their own game. It's about excelling at being human – with all the creativity, critical thinking, and authentic connection that entails. As we continue to push the boundaries of what's possible with AI, let's not forget to also push the boundaries of our own human potential.