What If We Are Wrong... About AI’s Limits?
Are We Mistaken About AI’s Limits?
On the 25th of March 2021, a Humanoid AI artist named ‘Sophia’ sold a painting for an unbelievable $688,000 at auction. Critics were shocked not just by the painting’s quality but by its ability to evoke emotion. If AI can now create art that so rivals human creativity, are we still so confident about what makes us humans unique and irreplaceable?
But that was years ago! Today, the capabilities of AI, partly driven by GenAI and underpinned by LMMs, are significantly more advanced with the gap between deepfakes and reality fast disappearing!
Yet, many of us believe that no matter how fast technology evolves, there are certain human skills that remain out of reach for AI. Books have been written proclaiming that skills like critical thinking, creativity, and emotional intelligence are the most untouchable human domains, providing us with job security and a unique value proposition in the workplace and in our evolving new world.
But… what if we’re wrong?
Why the “Uniquely Human” Edge is Dwindling
Imagine this. You’re attending a brainstorming session. You’ve got your team gathered, ready to unleash a torrent of innovative ideas. Suddenly, one of your colleagues - actually an AI-powered assistant - starts pitching ideas. Not only are these ideas logical, but they’re also out-of-the-box and align with your brand’s ethos. The AI seamlessly combines market trends with cultural insights, delivering creativity that’s indistinguishable from a human’s.
Or let's picture a customer service interaction where the “representative” is in reality a machine that can not only solve your problem but also respond with nuanced empathy, recognising the frustration in your voice and tailoring its tone and language to calm you down!
AI’s reach is now extending into these previously sacred domains. But the problem isn’t just that AI is stepping into our domains - it’s that many of us are still unprepared for the reality: AI can and will replicate even the most uniquely human skills. So, if AI can mimic these skills, what are we left with?
Purpose Creation: The SINGLE True Human Differentiator
The one thing AI cannot replicate is purpose. Why? Because purpose isn’t just about outcomes or metrics - it’s about intention, meaning, and ethical considerations. Purpose is shaped by cultural, social, and historical contexts, which AI lacks the capacity to authentically interpret.
Sure, AI can help a company optimise for profit, streamline operations, and even propose new product lines. But who decides how profit should be balanced with employee well-being or environmental sustainability? Who determines if a new product should not only serve customers but also contribute to the greater good?
Let's Consider This Example: The AI Art Debate
Consider AI-generated art - like the piece we earlier looked at with ‘Sophia’. An AI can create paintings in the style of Van Gogh or write poetry that echoes Shakespeare. But people still pay a significant premium for human-created art. Why? Because art isn’t just about the product; it’s about the story, intention, and emotional resonance behind it. It’s about why the artist created it and what it represents.
Similarly, in business and technology, humans define purpose. We decide why AI should focus on solving certain problems and not others, why some outcomes are more desirable than others, and how our actions must align with deeper values and goals.
But purpose creation alone is not enough. To ensure this purpose is sustained and not misinterpreted or manipulated by AI systems, we must go further. We need to maintain Purpose Ownership.
But why must we do this and how can we make this effective?
