Loved this line: “AI doesn’t replace people. It replaces patterns of thinking that don’t adapt.”
I'd add that it's not only about thinking, but also adapting to the fact that the value equation of the role has changed entirely, as AI actually absorbs parts of the job
Great post, Joel! I’m seeing a lot of the same things. The gap is widening between those using AI to deepen their strengths and those who see it as just a shortcut. When people treat it like a partner by asking better questions and building on their own insight, it becomes a serious edge. But if it’s used to bypass thinking, the results fall flat. Your framing really brings that into focus.
Your framing of the AI-enhanced vs. AI-replaceable divide is spot on! I just published what I call ‘Reflective Prompting’, an intentional practice of slowing down, clarifying purpose, and thoughtfully engaging AI as a true cognitive partner rather than a transactional shortcut.
What you’ve described aligns perfectly with my belief that AI itself isn’t the threat; it’s how we use (or misuse) it that determines whether we amplify our true strengths or unintentionally dilute our thinking and voice.
Nice one, Joel. I really liked how you made it interactive. Had fun using the artifact. And damn it made it so freaking actionable down to my six-month trajectory. I love it, ahha. I really like the electricity analogy and kind of like how you're having us fear the fear of AI. Thanks for putting this together.
PS: If they can make this artifact embeddable in Substack and in different CMS, man, that would improve the experience for readers by a ton!
I love your take on staying AI-enhanced instead of replaceable. That visual framework makes it so clear. Your insights are a big help for navigating this AI world!
Such a great post! Totally reminds me of the industrial revolution, people smashed machines 'cause they were scared of being replaced, but really, it was all about who adapted.
same vibe now: the ones who learn to team up with AI - not fight it - are the ones shaping what’s next.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and love what you are doing. The way I see it (as succinctly as possibly) AI is going to free up our lower minds so that we have more time *and space* to connect to our higher minds.
There is so much more we can be thinking about when (what we will see to be) the small stuff is taken care of.
It will be whatever we believe it will be so why not believe it's going to benefit us in extraordinary ways!
Of course! These are revolutionary times, these things need to be discussed and addressed 🙌. The potentials are lower mind boggling or consciousness expansion... We choose!
Loved this thoughtful article. Thinking to the future and building for it is an absolute must these days, for people and for businesses. What we're seeing with AI right now is only the beginning.
Absolutely futureproofing isn’t only on keeping up with tools, but it extends to shaping the mental and ethical frameworks that let us lead through uncertainty.
The shift from what we know to how we decide is central. Technical skills fade; decision-making agility, integrity, and data-driven foresight endure.
In my work, I’ve seen that those who integrate security thinking early whether in AI, data governance, or leadership design aren’t just resilient; they become trusted stewards of change.
This piece captures that mindset beautifully. Grateful to see leaders encouraging not just skill acquisition, but skill integration with purpose.
Thank you so much for this openness it’s refreshing to meet leaders who understand that security isn’t a retrofitted patch, but a living mindset woven into every early decision.
I’ve found that the most impactful shifts happen when organizations start seeing security and ethical guardrails as strategic enablers, not obstacles guiding how they build trust and shape culture from the ground up.
I’ve really enjoyed your reflections on integrating future-focused leadership with human-centered design. It aligns beautifully with my belief that our decisions today become the guardrails for tomorrow’s uncertainty.
Would be glad to continue exchanging ideas and see where our approaches might intersect to support more resilient, thoughtful leadership. Appreciate your curiosity and the work you’re putting into this space.
Benta, thank you for sharing! I appreciate it. I think that’s so important, thinking of security and guardrails not in 10 years when it’s blowing up, but now in the early stages.
I’d love to learn more of your work, I’ll explore your writing :)
Loved this line: “AI doesn’t replace people. It replaces patterns of thinking that don’t adapt.”
I'd add that it's not only about thinking, but also adapting to the fact that the value equation of the role has changed entirely, as AI actually absorbs parts of the job
Great point! And that's a big piece, learning while being flexible, and adapting to changes since no one can exactly map the changes we will see.
Great post, Joel! I’m seeing a lot of the same things. The gap is widening between those using AI to deepen their strengths and those who see it as just a shortcut. When people treat it like a partner by asking better questions and building on their own insight, it becomes a serious edge. But if it’s used to bypass thinking, the results fall flat. Your framing really brings that into focus.
Thank you Zain! Yes from your posts I know we are aligned on this point, and we are doing what we can to educate on how to bridge that gap
Your framing of the AI-enhanced vs. AI-replaceable divide is spot on! I just published what I call ‘Reflective Prompting’, an intentional practice of slowing down, clarifying purpose, and thoughtfully engaging AI as a true cognitive partner rather than a transactional shortcut.
What you’ve described aligns perfectly with my belief that AI itself isn’t the threat; it’s how we use (or misuse) it that determines whether we amplify our true strengths or unintentionally dilute our thinking and voice.
That’s awesome, Roi! I need to check that post out.
I appreciate the feedback!
Nice one, Joel. I really liked how you made it interactive. Had fun using the artifact. And damn it made it so freaking actionable down to my six-month trajectory. I love it, ahha. I really like the electricity analogy and kind of like how you're having us fear the fear of AI. Thanks for putting this together.
PS: If they can make this artifact embeddable in Substack and in different CMS, man, that would improve the experience for readers by a ton!
I know! This is free for me to share and for you all to use, so it works for free tools, but Claude doesn’t allow it in iframes.
I’ll keep looking into it though! I appreciate the suggestion. Always feel free to share them!
Oh yeah I mean more like from a fellow builder's perspective that it would be amazing to provide this experience natively :)
I love your take on staying AI-enhanced instead of replaceable. That visual framework makes it so clear. Your insights are a big help for navigating this AI world!
Thanks, Peter! I appreciate the encouragement.
Such a great post! Totally reminds me of the industrial revolution, people smashed machines 'cause they were scared of being replaced, but really, it was all about who adapted.
same vibe now: the ones who learn to team up with AI - not fight it - are the ones shaping what’s next.
Yes, Luan! I was thinking about that too, especially with the Ludites in England.
AI fluency is what keeps you on your A game in the job market. Thanks Joel!
Yes, it does! I just wonder what “AI fluency” will be in 2, 5, 10 yrs. What do you think?
You’re addressing one of the most daunting aspects of AI so well. It’s wild to think that AI fluency is fast becoming a core skill for the future.
It really is, it is quickly going to become an assumed skill to even be considered for many positions.
Loved this reading, thanks for sharing! Such a great reflection!
Thanks, William!
I thoroughly enjoyed this read and love what you are doing. The way I see it (as succinctly as possibly) AI is going to free up our lower minds so that we have more time *and space* to connect to our higher minds.
There is so much more we can be thinking about when (what we will see to be) the small stuff is taken care of.
It will be whatever we believe it will be so why not believe it's going to benefit us in extraordinary ways!
I love this take, thank you for sharing! I'm really glad you shared that perspective :)
Of course! These are revolutionary times, these things need to be discussed and addressed 🙌. The potentials are lower mind boggling or consciousness expansion... We choose!
Loved this thoughtful article. Thinking to the future and building for it is an absolute must these days, for people and for businesses. What we're seeing with AI right now is only the beginning.
Thank you! And I know you and I are aligned in that that is the reason we write, and as time passes, it’ll just get harder to catch up
Absolutely futureproofing isn’t only on keeping up with tools, but it extends to shaping the mental and ethical frameworks that let us lead through uncertainty.
The shift from what we know to how we decide is central. Technical skills fade; decision-making agility, integrity, and data-driven foresight endure.
In my work, I’ve seen that those who integrate security thinking early whether in AI, data governance, or leadership design aren’t just resilient; they become trusted stewards of change.
This piece captures that mindset beautifully. Grateful to see leaders encouraging not just skill acquisition, but skill integration with purpose.
Thank you so much for this openness it’s refreshing to meet leaders who understand that security isn’t a retrofitted patch, but a living mindset woven into every early decision.
I’ve found that the most impactful shifts happen when organizations start seeing security and ethical guardrails as strategic enablers, not obstacles guiding how they build trust and shape culture from the ground up.
I’ve really enjoyed your reflections on integrating future-focused leadership with human-centered design. It aligns beautifully with my belief that our decisions today become the guardrails for tomorrow’s uncertainty.
Would be glad to continue exchanging ideas and see where our approaches might intersect to support more resilient, thoughtful leadership. Appreciate your curiosity and the work you’re putting into this space.
Yes, I love that! And I just subscribed!
Let’s collab on a post at some point
Benta, thank you for sharing! I appreciate it. I think that’s so important, thinking of security and guardrails not in 10 years when it’s blowing up, but now in the early stages.
I’d love to learn more of your work, I’ll explore your writing :)