When I was thinking about writing my next article, the one thought that stood out was our own magical cognitive abilities! Is that the reason why a seemingly handful of people globally are creating almost everything possible as ‘artificial’? We need to answer this to ourselves.
See everything has two sides to it and arguments both for and against.
Is the human brain, once hailed as nature’s most magical creation, still more powerful than any AI? And are we becoming too reliant on technology, risking the dulling of our own cognitive abilities?
Today I observe 3 examples of human capabilities that still outshine even the most sophisticated AI tools.
- Human Creativity: The Essence of Innovation
The human brain is uniquely capable of generating original ideas, thinking outside the box, and making creative connections that AI can’t replicate. AI excels at pattern recognition and data analysis, but when it comes to true innovation, it’s still the human mind that leads the way.
Example: Consider the creative genius of Pablo Picasso, whose groundbreaking art movements, such as Cubism, were not born out of data analysis but from a deep, intuitive exploration of human experience. AI can mimic art or follow a formula, but it can’t invent a new art form or express deep emotions through artistic mediums in the same way humans can.
My argument- our increasing reliance on AI tools may encourage us to take shortcuts in creative thinking, limiting our ability to push the boundaries of innovation. If we over-rely on tools for inspiration or content generation, we risk stifling the very creativity that drives human progress.
- Emotional Intelligence: The Power of Human Connection
AI can analyse sentiment, recognise patterns in language, and even mimic emotional responses, but it lacks genuine emotional intelligence (EQ). Human brains are wired to feel empathy, understand complex social dynamics, and adapt responses based on nuanced emotional cues.
Example: In leadership, emotional intelligence is often the decisive factor between a good leader and a great one. Take Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, who transformed the company’s culture through empathy and emotional connection, something no AI tool could have facilitated. His leadership wasn’t about data alone; it was about understanding human emotions and fostering an inclusive culture where people thrive.
My argument- As we lean on AI for decision-making and even emotional analysis (such as chatbots or AI customer service tools), we risk losing the nuance of genuine human interaction. Don’t we ? The ability to understand and respond to emotions authentically is still something that AI simply cannot replicate.
- Adaptability: Mastering the Unknown
The human brain is incredibly adaptable. It can process new, unfamiliar situations and pivot based on incomplete information. AI, on the other hand, requires structured data and pre-existing models to make decisions. While AI can be taught to adapt to new data, it’s not yet capable of the level of cognitive flexibility that humans demonstrate daily.
Example: During the COVID-19 pandemic, doctors and medical professionals faced an unprecedented crisis. The rapid adaptability and problem-solving ability of human minds led to life-saving innovations, from developing vaccines in record time to quickly adapting hospital protocols. AI was a useful tool in processing data and speeding up some processes, but according to my observation, it was a lot to do with human adaptability that made these achievements possible. Is that not it?
My argument-As AI tools become more integrated into problem-solving processes, we must be careful not to allow them to replace our own ability to think critically and adapt in uncertain situations. Over-dependence on AI for answers might lead to atrophy in our problem-solving skills and decision-making capabilities.
Is AI Making Us Dull?
As we become increasingly dependent on AI tools in our daily lives, the question arises: Is the human brain becoming duller? This is a question that everyone needs to ask themselves.
See, using tools are not bad, however, in what capacity and extent we use it, that matters. For instance, if one is on their mobile 3 to 4 (or more) hours a day consuming any and every kind of content and next morning ask themselves ‘did I get brighter or duller?’
The thing I observe is, our brains are shaped by how we use them. AI can enhance our capabilities, but if we rely too heavily on it, there’s a risk of cognitive atrophy in areas where the brain excels, such as creativity, emotional intelligence, and adaptability. However, there’s also an opportunity to strike a balance: by leveraging AI for routine tasks and data-driven analysis, we can free up cognitive bandwidth for the more complex, creative, and emotionally intelligent work that only humans can do.
The Future of Human and AI Collaboration
Rather than fearing that AI will dull our minds, we should focus on how to better collaborate with AI. AI can be a powerful tool to augment human intelligence, handling repetitive tasks and processing vast amounts of data, while the human brain focuses on what it does best: thinking creatively, emotionally, and adaptively.
Anything that is as incredibly powerful, I feel we may be undermining our brains- the most magical unit of human creation! I can say this being s student of quantum science. The human brain remains a uniquely versatile and magical creation, capable of things that AI cannot replicate. So, maybe just ask yourself this question once everyday and you may have your answer – ‘Did I get brighter by using an AI tool?’
The views and opinions published here belong to the author and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of the publisher.
Extending beyond academia; Ankoor has been honoured with the "CIRCLE OF EXCELLENCE 2024" award by Passion Vista and recognized as the "MAN OF EXCELLENCE, 2024" by the prestigious Indian Achievers' Award. Additionally, he received the "LEADER 2.0 AWARD, 2023" from adgully and was named a "DIGITAL KAIZEN LEADER by DigiAdCon 2024”, Dr. Dasguupta's contributions to the field of marketing are widely acclaimed, marking him as an inspiring thought leader in his domain. Ankoor is also a member of IMA India’s CMO Forum.
Most recently Dr. Dasguupta has been selected and felicitated with the national level award -Dr. A.P.J Abdul Kalam Inspiration Award 2024 in the category Youth Icon of the Year.
Dr. Dasguupta is a key member of the esteemed International CMO Council and keeps delivering lectures at top Business Schools and also colleges at University of Delhi. As an industry expert, Ankoor has also been a member of the interview panel at MICA for their PGP Group Exercise & Personal Interview PI process for PGDM-C/PGDM selection for two consecutive years. Dr. Dasguupta is also on the Advisory Board of the Marketing Department at ISBR Business School, Bangalore. Recognized by DMA Asia as a marketing Ace, Dr. Dasguupta is a LinkedIn Top Voice, advocate of social impact, driven by kaizen, Ankoor believes in the power of Energy and Energize
Dr. Ankoor is practicing his PCC (Level 2) coaching from the gold standard International Coaching Federation [ICF]. He is a people's person and has worked across functions in senior leadership positions in marketing, advertising, media & communication with a pedigree of 24 years and ongoing exciting journey. Trained from Dale Carnegie in Mentoring to Develop Talent, Ankoor is a marketing practitioner, a coach, a knowledge manager, a team builder, a thought-leader, an avid writer with close to 100 published articles / interviews and is a Thought Leader. Dr.Ankoor wears the hat of a CMO as well. His leisure pursuits are reading, effective listening and percussion. Follow Dr. Ankoor Dasguupta on LinkedIn| https://www.linkedin.com/in/ankoordasguupta/
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