J. David Flagg
Published: March 4, 2025
This article is for those people who are all or nothing in their view of the world. They cannot see AI, which is short for Artificial Intelligence as just a tool but see it as an all-consuming aspect of life and quite frankly it may even scare them. In my experience, these people have a hard time with balance in general, yet they are always preaching about how others don’t have balance. Ok enough of the quirky “human” side of people, and let’s dive into the topic of Not everything is about AI.
However, before we go into this subject, what is AI? Well, AI is essentially a technology that enables machines (computers to make it more understandable) to mimic human-like cognitive functions, like paying attention, memorizing, reasoning, and perception. AI is about creating smart machines that can adapt, learn from experience, and complete complex tasks with varying degrees of intelligence. The core concept behind AI isn’t about replacing humans, but empowering us to achieve more, solve complex problems more effectively, and ultimately improve our quality of life by handling tasks that are time-consuming, repetitive, or beyond our natural cognitive capabilities. OK, hopefully that provides a basic premise of AI. Now, let’s really get into not everything being about AI.
Technology is Everywhere Though
I am not going to lie, for some of us, in this time of whirlwind technological innovation, it’s easy to get swept up in the AI hurricane, even if you are not even aware of it. For instance, you are having an innocent conversation with a friend about a cool TikTok you just saw about an amazing kitchen product, and seconds later the social media feeds on your phone are full of ads, for exactly what you were just talking about. Yes, that is real, and it does happen! It is not your imagination. It could be someone talking about how ChatGPT gave them this awesome recipe to try or helped them write a paper for school. Or it could be these sometime annoying chatbots on the websites you visit, that seem to be lurking around like a used car salesman. All these AI-driven events are happening, and they are not going anywhere.
The truth is, they will become more and more invasive in your daily routine. So, if you are the type of person that hates technology, it may be time to find some land up in Alaska and build yourself a cabin to hide from the world. That is your prerogative. However, if you choose to stay in the world that many of us live in, you are going to have to learn to adapt to AI because it is adapting to you. Technology is constantly changing the world and the lives of everyone in it. It is one of those “unstoppable” things! One of my favorite analogies is that of the printing press back in 1440, and all those poor monks who lost their scribing jobs. But here’s a refreshing truth bomb: not everything is about AI and thank goodness for that! But it doesn’t mean you can hide from it…forever, either!
Beyond the Algorithm: The Human Experience
Artificial Intelligence is an incredible tool, but it’s just that – a tool. Think of AI like a super-powered Swiss Army knife for productivity and problem-solving. It can help us work smarter, not harder, but it can never replace the richness of human experience (Brynjolfsson & McAfee, 2017). That sunset you watched last week. The unexpected laugh with a friend? The taste of that amazing dinner you had last night. These are moments no algorithm can replicate, nor are they trying to, once you understand that technology is just a tool, to help you do things more efficiently, and provide you with more relevant data to make better decisions with. Again, it is a tool!
AI as an Enabler, not a Replacement
The real magic of AI happens when we use AI to free up our most precious and limited asset, time, for things that truly matter to us, individually. Imagine automating those tedious, mundane tasks, like updating your budget, or sending countless emails and reminders out to make sure people show up to your gathering, you know the one you spent countless hours on, only for those who swore they would be there, not show up. Well, maybe AI cannot fixe that, but it can help you waste less time getting them to act right. However, in doing so, it can allow you to spend more time playing with your kids (and talk about something that only lasts a limited time), pursuing a new hobby, or simply enjoying a cup of coffee without work stress lurking in the background. According to a study by McKinsey, AI has the potential to automate up to 45% of paid activities, potentially giving professionals more time for creative and meaningful work (Manyika et al., 2017).
The Human Touch Still Matters
Let’s be clear: emotional intelligence, creativity, empathy, and complex problem-solving are still uniquely human domains. AI can analyze data at lightning speed, but it can’t:
- Feel the joy of creating art
- Understand the nuanced context of a complex human interaction
- Experience the spontaneity of a meaningful conversation
- Appreciate the subtle beauty of human connections
However, the true objective truth is that the goal really shouldn’t be to resist AI till your dying breathe either, but to embrace it strategically. Use its power to streamline repetitive tasks, gain insights from complex data, enhance your productivity, and create more space and time for human experiences
A Personal Perspective
As someone deeply involved in AI-driven business solutions, I’ve seen firsthand how transformative these technologies can be. But I’ve also learned that the most successful implementations are those that enhance human capabilities rather than attempt to replace them. And I will promise not to be, AI is awesome, if you promise not to be so, AI sucks! 😉
The Bottom Line
AI is a powerful assistant, not a life replacement. It’s a means to an end – helping us work more efficiently, solve complex problems, and ultimately, spend more time doing what we love. So, the next time you hear about the latest AI breakthrough, remember technology serves humanity, not the other way around. Also remember, AI doesn’t have feelings yet, but those who are passionately talking to you about it, do!
References:
Brynjolfsson, E., & McAfee, A. (2017). Machine, platform, crowd: Harnessing our digital future. W. W. Norton & Company.
Manyika, J., Chui, M., Miremadi, M., Bughin, J., George, K., Willmott, P., & Dewhurst, M. (2017). A future that works: Automation, employment, and productivity. McKinsey Global Institute.
Reach out to Cape May AI to discuss any questions you may have, and may 2025 be your most-profitable year and the most-memorable year for you customers!
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