When 41% of people say AI listens better than the humans in their lives, we’re not just talking about tech; we’re talking about a crisis in connection.
“Genuine listening means suspending memory, desire, and judgment—and, for a moment at least, existing for the other person.” - Michael P. Nichols
Greg McKeown recently had a poll on LinkedIn asking people who they thought listened to them better - choices were something like spouse, colleague, friend, AI. The results were sad for humanity.
The overwhelming majority, at 45%, said AI.
We as humans have become so bad at listening to one another - noses always buried so deeply in our phones while wearing our noise-cancelling headphones - that we believe that an emotionless pile of metal connects to us better.
Damien and I are all in on AI.
We know it’s the future.
We know it’s powerful.
We know people need guidance navigating it.
That’s why we teach it.
It’s why we write this blog.
It’s why we host strategy calls and build courses.
Just because we embrace (and teach) AI doesn’t mean we are willing to outsource our humanity.
In fact, we are reclaiming it.
The time we are saving by using AI tools? We’re reinvesting it in the art of listening, in the practice of empathy, in the discipline of effective communication.
We need to leverage AI tools effectively and efficiently, but more importantly, grow the skills that make us human - yeah, those soft, squishy things that make people want to hug you (gross).
“Love and compassion are necessities, not luxuries. Without them, humanity cannot survive.” - Dalai Lama
“I’m hedging against AI by doubling down on being human.” Justin Welsh