Foresight
How to enable the best of AI and the best of humanity for your business
And just like that, AI is reshaping decision-making, leadership, and strategy. Every day, new headlines crowd our feeds about an advancement in AI capabilities. If you can think of it, there is an AI for that. Literally.
How ought we, as leaders, contend with the fast advancement of AI in relationship to our businesses? Where do we even start?
According to Eliot Frick, founder of Bigwidesky, the place to start is a focus on what humans do best. AI should amplify our capacity for imagination, vision, and dealing with the unknown, allowing humans to focus on the things they don’t suck at.
In our recent virtual session, AI Is Not What You Think It Is, Eliot shared how AI changes the foundations of intelligence and leadership in business.
Here’s a look at the key themes and insights from the event:
AI as an Amplifier of Human Capability
AI operates as a force that enhances human potential, enabling people to spend more time on strategy, vision, and imagination — tasks that rely on uniquely human capabilities. Eliot highlighted how AI’s strength lies in handling complexity and processing large amounts of data, while humans excel at guiding vision, shaping strategy, and dealing with uncertainty.
Leadership in an AI-Driven World
As AI surfaces insights that go beyond human perception, leadership increasingly will be designing systems of intelligence rather than relying solely on individual expertise. This shift challenges leaders to redefine how authority and decision-making function within their organizations.
AI excels at pattern recognition and risk management, but it falls short when dealing with true uncertainty. Leaders must use AI as a tool to extend their capabilities, not as a replacement for human judgment.
Highlights from the Q&A
During the session, participants raised thought-provoking questions. Below are some of the key questions asked and our insights:
- Should AI have a role in shaping company vision, or should vision remain a uniquely human function? AI can serve as a strategic companion in high-level thinking by providing research, surfacing insights, and expanding possibilities. However, the capacity to imagine futures, connect those futures to meaning, and make decisions about strategic direction remains a uniquely human role.
- How can leaders guard against the amplification of bias in AI-generated insights? Alignment efforts, both technical and human, are critical. Leaders must refine AI’s role in decision-making to ensure it aligns with the organization’s values and ethical considerations. AI should be fine-tuned to operate within a set of principles that reflect the company’s goals and priorities.
- What happens when AI’s decision-making models conflict with human intuition? Leaders must guide the interplay between machine-generated intelligence and human judgment. This requires understanding the limitations of both and developing systems that balance AI-driven insights with human intuition.
- How should senior-level managers recruit and build leadership sustainability in the age of AI? The best leaders in an AI-driven world are those who can describe their knowledge strategically. Organizations should prioritize individuals who possess a blend of domain expertise and the ability to think in terms of strategic vision.
Key Takeaway: Vision as the Differentiator
The competitive advantage in an AI-driven world lies in the ability to create a compelling vision. AI can amplify intelligence and streamline processes, but it is the human capacity for imagination, leadership, and foresight that sets organizations apart.
Watch the Session
Interested in diving deeper into this conversation? Watch the full recording of AI Is Not What You Think It Is
Take the Next Step
If you’re ready to explore how AI fits into your leadership and strategic plans, schedule a 30-minute conversation with a Bigwidesky futurist to discuss how AI can amplify what makes your business unique.