“For this invention will produce forgetfulness in the minds of those who learn to use it, because they will not practice their memory.”

This was Socrates, as recounted by Plato, warning about the invention of writing in Phaedrus.

His concern?

That reliance on external tools would weaken our cognitive abilities.

Fast forward to today: AI is our new writing. It’s a tool of unprecedented power, but also one with the potential to make us intellectually complacent.

The temptation is real:

• “AI, tell me what to do.”
• “AI, generate ideas for me.”
• “AI, think for me.”

But here’s the cost—skills atrophy.

The mind, much like the body, thrives on exercise. The less we challenge it, the more it weakens.

I propose (and be mindful of this) instead of letting AI think for you, reverse the sequence:

Start with your mind
Wrestle with the problem. Form ideas, stories, and perspectives.

Lead the process.
Be like a McKinsey partner leading sharp thinkers, providing direction rather than following blindly. (Analogy from the great Karan Puri)

Use AI to execute.
Let it amplify your vision, not create it for you.

Think of the artist’s evolution:

• First, mastering hand-eye coordination to bring visions to life.
• Next, using tools like Adobe to push creative boundaries.
• Now, with AI, the artist must still start with a vision before leveraging the tool’s immense capabilities.

My biggest fear.

The danger isn’t AI taking over; it’s us giving up. The less we think, the more our ability to think fades.

I challenge you.

For your next creative or strategic task:

• Resist the urge to jump straight to AI.
• Wrestle with the problem yourself first.
• Then, use AI to refine, execute, or elevate your ideas.

In this age of AI, the strongest skill is staying mentally sharp, curious, and engaged. (Also, AI is WRONG — like, a lot)

What do you think? How do you ensure you’re still the thinker, not just the tool user?

PS:— The direction of travel (mind first, AI second versus AI first, mind second) will determine whether you become a commodity or indispensable. It’s not about who uses AI versus who doesn’t; it’s about how you use it that shapes your future.