This week some colleagues and I were discussing different data architecture patterns.

We ended up building a mind-map of some of the major patterns, with their features branching off from the centre node and then the features’ details sprouting off of those.

I’m a very visual thinker, so diagramming is always my go-to.

We used ChatGPT to gather information for the patterns, features and their details.

Within a few minutes we’d gathered all the information we needed and the level of detail was consistent throughout. We then translated the information across and mapped it onto the diagram.

At this point we all looked at each other and felt the exact same thing; why are we doing this?

Even though the diagram seemed like a good idea at first, AI sped up the ‘productive exercise’ so greatly that the finished product felt completely hollow.

There’s also joke here about how many engineers does it take to use ChatGPT…

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I’ve been thinking on how I felt after we made the diagram, and I think I’ve got it figured out.

The actual work of gathering information has become so rapid and accessible, that the intrinsic value of that work has plummeted. It’s like tap water to us; the water itself still has tremendous value, but consider how successful you’d be if you bottled your own water and tried to sell it to your neighbours. You’d only make a sale if their supply ran dry.

As Information Supply has increased, with no change in Information Demand causing Information Price (value) to fall.

So what does this mean for us and our daily lives?

We’re at a point in human history, where the opportunity cost of our time is larger than it ever has been before, and it’s growing exponentially.

Once again, humans are accelerating forward due to their compulsion to make tools. Though this time it’s not fire or stone knives, but AI.

As such, it becomes increasingly important that we consider how we “spend our time”, it’s far, far too easy now to suddenly realise you’ve got huge opportunity bill from simply doing things “the way we’ve always done them”.

There’s also the consideration here about humans getting distracted while Computers do not. Hours become days become weeks become abandoned…

Our technological world is shifting as AI takes on our tasks and beats us at the things we used to brag about. The question we should be asking ourselves now isn’t just “what can AI do?”, but “what should we be doing in the face of its capabilities?”.

We need to identify activities where human insight adds significant value - things like ethical considerations, emotional intelligence, complex decision-making based on nuanced understanding. All areas where AI is still playing catch-up.

• In wildlife conservation, the Wildbook Project uses AI to process data from camera traps, drones, and satellite images to track animal movements and predict poaching threats. Human conservationists use these insights to implement protective measures.
• In healthcare, Google Health’s AI model assists doctors in breast cancer screening by identifying subtle patterns in mammograms that may be missed by the human eye. AI’s ability to analyse vast datasets of medical imaging helps in early detection of diseases like cancer more accurately than ever before.
• In Education, Duolingo’s AI-driven platform adapts to each user’s learning pace, providing personalised lessons, while human educators provide the contextual knowledge and encouragement that keep learners motivated and engaged.

The worst decision you could make is to simply give up on the things which AI can now do. Instead, synergise with AI. Know your workflow, know your strengths, know your weaknesses. Then innovate and evolve.

• How many work-hours could you save from leveraging AI?
• Are strategic decisions being postponed by business-as-usual obligations
• What ground breaking human-AI innovation could be uncovered if we rethink with an open-mind?

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What I’ve said can be interpreted in many ways, two options being:

1. AI is taking our jobs and we need to stop it
2. AI excels at specific tasks, how can we leverage it?

It’s up to you.

New opportunities are emerging for us to dive into creativity and innovation. We’re being invited to brainstorm, pioneer new solutions and tackle intricate challenges.

It’s a chance for us lean into the things that are distinctly human.