Make Yourself Irreplaceable in a World Dominated by Artificial Intelligence!
This article appeared in 2025 MMA Workforce Solutions Summit event program. Learn more about MMA events.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is everywhere and, though it sometimes feels almost human, it’s not. The question is...are you going to be replaced by artificial intelligence?
AI has made knowledge a commodity. If you’re still sitting in classes trying to learn theories and models you’re falling behind. That was our parents’ world! Our world today requires you to be a strategic thinker who can confidently ask the questions needed to exploit the knowledge at your disposal. As Dale Carnegie shared... “knowledge isn’t power until it is applied.”
So, you’re probably asking, how can I thrive in the world and make sure I’m confidently prepared to be successful. Let’s go there...
First off, you’re a human being, you’re a creature of emotion that utilizes logic to support the way you feel. Just think back to the last argument you got into, you know the one... where logic went out the window and personal emotional attacks ensued. Welcome to your humanness! Sharpen up your Emotional Intelligence! You need to be able to effectively communicate, understand and empathize with other people. If you don’t know how, do what Warren Buffett did, take a Dale Carnegie Course. Your successful future will require you to be effective collaborating and working with people.
Next, be open and flexible, your ability to adapt to the rate of change is imperative if you want to stay out front. Your confidence not to get overwhelmed will be critical. Unfortunately, the world doesn’t slow down for any of us no matter how stubborn we choose to be.
You’ll need to have Critical Thinking skills; you’ll need to ask the right questions! AI will provide you with answers. Though, do you know how to ask the right questions to challenge assumptions and dig deeper than the obvious? Will you be able to discern the validity of the answers you generate? If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...is it really a duck? You’ll need to ascertain that. Get good at questioning everything, not to find fault, yet to seek understanding and demonstrate what we humans call “common sense.” Understand your values and your ethical judgement. If you’re not clear in your own mind you’ll get caught up in confusion, indecision and untrue speculation. AI does not currently have the capacity to decide between right and wrong; that’s on you.
In 2025, it’s estimated that over 80 percent of the articles/posts you read on social media are generated utilizing AI. Think about that the next time you choose to get emotionally upset about a social media article or post. AI doesn’t care if you get angry, that’s a human issue and you just fell victim to “clickbait.”
Lastly, be vigilant, commit to confidently challenging yourself to grow! Complacency only breeds doubt, anxiety and fear. Act and you’ll move forward!
We are human...and we need to get better at being human in a new world with AI. Which means...the most successful human beings will confidently master emotional intelligence, collaborate like a well-oiled machine with people, own their thinking and learn to leverage AI for the betterment of humanity.
About the Author
Phil Zeller is the Owner/CEO Dale Carnegie SW Michigan. He may be reached at phil.zeller@dalecarnegie.com.
Dale Carnegie Training offered by Ralph Nichols Group Inc. is an MMA Premium Associate Member and has been an MMA member company since November 2021. Visit online: dalecarnegie.com/en/locations/sw-michigan.
Human Element was a sponsor of the 2025 MMA Workforce Solutions Summit. Learn more about MMA events.