“One does not learn computing by using a hand calculator, but one can forget arithmetic.”
― Alan J. Perlis

I’m seeing more and more articles with salacious headlines, like “AI is Making Us Dumb” or “How LLMs Rot Your Brain”. These headlines aren’t made up out of thin air. There’s some actual science somewhere in the mix. Several real scientific studies, conducted by real scientists, at reputable institutions, seem to suggest that using AI causes inevitable brain atrophy. This study from Carnegie Mellon University and Microsoft Research, this one from MIT, and this example from SBS Swiss Business School, among others, are feeding this narrative.

Now, it’s possible to critically examine these studies and point out some of the problems or how they may be misinterpreted. But instead, let’s just address the fundamental fear: offloading cognitive exercises to AI reduces our abilities in such exercises.

This fear isn’t without merit. Our brains form connections to help us solve problems and complete tasks efficiently and effectively. In order to build up those connections, we need to repeat a task many times over. This is why it was hard to ride a bike on your first attempt, but eventually it became second nature. It’s why goaltenders develop cat-like reflexes or baseball players can adjust between a 100 MPH fastball and a 72 MPH curveball (some of the time). It’s why you can drive home and suddenly realize you don’t even remember the trip (scary, I know).

On the other hand, you’ll lose or never develop brain connections for tasks you don’t practice on a regular basis. If you always let a robot solve the puzzle, you’ll never build the neural pathways required to become a puzzle solver. I know morse code operators who have been experts for 30+ years, but they need to brush up their skills and rebuild their copy speed if they go a couple of months without a CW contact. If you hand a contractor a traditional hammer when he’s used to working with a nail gun, it’ll take him some time to adjust. Our brains are amazing at optimizing for the skills we need right now and offloading to tools wherever possible.

Using AI will reduce our abilities in some areas, just like any other technological development of the past, but the question is: How much can AI free us to focus on higher impact tasks?

Easy to cook meals don’t make us fat. Eating junk food makes us fat.

Labor reducing machines don’t make us weak. Not exercising makes us weak.

Social media doesn’t make us lonely. Not spending time with family and friends makes us lonely.

AI doesn’t make us stupid. Not using our brains makes us stupid.

The choice is ours. We can choose to be lazy, or we can choose to think. We can choose to remain ignorant, or we can choose to study. We can choose to use AI as a crutch, or we can choose to use AI as a tool.

“Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled.”
― Anne M. Mulcahy

Good leaders always treat each member of the team like actual people.

You know…

They’re people with families, needs, dreams, and passions.

They’re people with struggles, insecurities, and difficulties.

Your people aren’t just cogs in a machine. They have unique circumstances, and they need support, trust, and a sense of belonging.

“80% of success is showing up.”
― Woody Allen

Some days, you can’t handle it.

Some days, it’s mentally exhausting.

Some days, you’re not ready.

Some days, it doesn’t seem worth it.

Some days, you’re too busy.

Some days, you need a break.

Some days, you don’t have the time.

But you show up anyway. You get it done anyway. You make it happen anyway.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.”
― Napoleon Hill

Success is something you go out and earn every day.

There are no holidays.
There are no vacations.
There’s no end to the day.

Success is achieved when you work.
It’s achieved when you play.
It’s achieved when you exercise.
It’s achieved when you eat.
It’s achieved when you meditate and pray.
It’s achieved when you sleep.
It’s achieved when you wake up and get out of bed.

Success is a constant pursuit. It’s a daily battle that must be fought with dedication, discipline, and determination.

“By far, the greatest danger of Artificial Intelligence is that people conclude too early that they understand it.”
― Eliezer Yudkowsky

I’m an AI optimist, but…

AI is overhyped and underwhelming, amazing and frustrating, the solution and the problem… just like every technology that preceded it.

Which also means the future is bright!

“Remote work isn’t about being busy; it’s about being productive. The best workers are those who achieve more in fewer hours.”
― Anonymous

There are four types of people who hate on remote work:

1. Managers who lead by attendance (“How will I know if my people are working?!”)

2. Old people who can’t adapt (“I’ve been doing it this way for 30 years!”)

3. Unproductive people who can’t focus (“If I can’t focus at home, no one can!”)

4. Jealous people who can’t stand others’ success (“It’s not fair that they get to work from home!”)

“When you take time to replenish your spirit, it allows you to serve others from the overflow. You cannot serve from an empty vessel.”
― Eleanor Brownn

Take care of yourself so you can take care of your spouse.

Take care of your spouse so the two of you can take care of your family.

Take care of your family so your family can take care of your relatives and friends.

Take care of your relatives and friends so all of you can take care of your community.

Take care of your community so your community can take care of your city, town, and state.

Take care of your city, town, and state so your homeland can take care of your country.

Take care of your country so your country can take care of the world.

“The only thing a person can ever really do is keep moving forward. Take that big leap forward without hesitation, without once looking back.”
― Alyson Noel

Your past is full of lessons, scars, and victories. But let’s be clear: your past is not your future. Too often, we replay mistakes or cling to former glories, letting them define us. Why? Because it’s easier to stay anchored to what we know than to navigate the uncertainty of where we could go.

Recognize your past for what it is—a guide, not a map. You’ve stumbled? Good. Learn from that. You’ve succeeded? Great. Build on that. But don’t let the past dictate the next step.

Your past may echo, but it doesn’t hold a pen. The future is yours to write. So use the past as a reference to navigate, not as a script to follow. Start now. Make the next chapter your best chapter.

“Clean your finger before you point at my spots.”
― Benjamin Franklin

I’ve never seen a high-level performer criticize people working hard to become high-level performers.

But I’ve seen many mid-level performers criticize anyone who dared to dream bigger.

Be careful who you listen to.

“We say that we believe God to be omniscient; yet a great deal of prayer seems to consist of giving him information.”
― C.S. Lewis

Instead of complaining about politicians, pray for them.

Instead of denouncing Church leaders, pray for them.

Instead of fighting with your neighbor, pray for them.

Instead of criticizing your children, pray for them.

Instead of blaming your parents, pray for them.