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Get human with AI

By Erica Keswin

One of the feistiest sessions I attended at the 2024 Aspen Ideas Festival was on AI and Global Learning.

Go figure!

The discussions were intense and thought-provoking, with perspectives ranging from:

  • “AI makes us dumber.”
  • “AI makes us smarter.”
  • “AI will lead to the demise of humanity.”
  • “AI will help us become more human.”

Kaya Henderson, co-founder and CEO of Reconstruction and one of the panelists, summed it up perfectly: “We don’t need to decide if it’s good or bad…it’s here!”

I couldn’t agree more.

Great human leaders understand the importance of finding the sweet spot between tech and connect. They leverage technology, including AI, for all of its greatness, but also put it in its place and prioritize deeper human connections.

In fact, because AI can push us to be even more intentional—it can help us be even more human.

Case in point ⬇️

Audrey Wisch, the co-founder and CEO of Curious Cardinals, is revolutionizing the mentorship and education space by integrating AI to enhance the learning experience.

So, how does Audrey help her Curious Cardinals find the sweet spot?

First, Curious Cardinals leverages AI to match students with the perfect mentors. Then their ‘CC notetaker bot’ records sessions, generates transcripts, and creates comprehensive lesson summaries, ensuring parents are informed and engaged in their child’s progress​.

And then Curious Cardinals puts AI “in its place.”

Mentors meet 1:1 with their students — human to human.

As Audrey explained to me, “We use AI to help do all the things humans can otherwise fail to deliver on. The mentors are magical at building personal connections, sparking motivation, and serving as role models. But AI ensures consistency, quality, and tailored learning experiences.”

Audrey and her team are intentional about how to use technology and—this is most important—when to put it away.

Because here’s the thing: the default use technology degrades connection.

So whether you think AI is making us dumber or smarter, it’s here to stay. So let’s use it to make us more human.

7/9/24

About Erica

Erica Keswin is an internationally sought-after speaker, bestselling author, and workplace strategist who partners with some of the most well-known companies in the world on how to bring their human to work. For the past two decades, Erica’s work has defined what it means to be a human leader. Erica’s Human Workplace Trilogy: Bring Your Human to Work, Rituals Roadmap, and The Retention Revolution was published by McGraw Hill and each debuted as a Wall Street Journal bestseller. 

When Erica isn’t writing books, she delivers keynotes, leads workshops, and coaches top-of-class companies and individuals to help them improve their performance by honoring relationships in today’s hybrid workplace.

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