A Cognitive Revelation: The Intersection of AI and Human Thought
How AI Tools Are Enabling Profound Changes in the Way We Perceive and Solve Problems
My experience with AI lately has been nothing short of a revelation. Each day, it feels like I’m adding another subscription—ChatGPT (using 6-8 custom GPTs daily), Claude Projects, Vercel v0, MidJourney, Bolt, and ElevenLabs. I’m confident I’ll add a few more this week. Then there’s the free stuff: Notebook LM, Napkin.AI, and a constant stream of free LLMs and ML tools that seem to appear endlessly.
But what’s truly fascinating to me isn’t the sheer number of platforms—it’s how each one makes me think a bit differently. My thought process and personality adapt to each tool based on the required output.
This weekend, I spent 2-days building a new web application for my business. I started with ChatGPT to write the initial instructions with the goal of nailing the narrative and ensure I captured the app’s requirements. During this phase, I was in creative mode—ideating, storytelling, and gathering insights. ChatGPT-4o with canvas is my go-to for that, while also cross-checking with o1 and 4o. The differences in output are often slight but meaningful, especially if you are thinking critically about the logic behind each.
Once I had something I liked, it was time to shift gears. Enter Claude, which offers a more analytical approach to my previous outputs—excellent for reasoning and breaking things down with greater critical depth. At this stage, my mindset shifted: I moved from purely creating to optimizing, analyzing, and refining, with the ideal outcome of building greater instructional depth.
With Claude’s refined instructions in hand, I brought v0.dev into the picture. This tool bridged the gap between the broad strokes of ideation and the precision needed for implementation. It kept me in the creative lane but focused on branding, UX, and design. My mindset toggled back to the visionary: How do I make this feel just right?
“If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and not keeping up with changes in AI, rest assured: your career is at risk in the next five years.”
Once I had the visual and branding essence locked in, it was time for the nuts and bolts. Cue Bolt.new—the code writer. This platform doesn’t care about vision; it wants clear, no-nonsense instructions. So, I shifted again—from abstract concepts to concise, exact guidance a developer would need to turn it all into working code.
It hit me—this wasn’t just tool-hopping. Each platform demanded a different version of me: creative, analytical, brand-focused, and developer-minded. What struck me most was how this practice—switching gears and adapting my tone—showed how vital adaptability is becoming. Not just for me, but for anyone wanting to stay ahead.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone—Immediately
The pace we’re moving at demands a mindset shift. This isn’t about tools; it’s about who we need to become when we use them. And here’s the blunt truth: if you’re still using AI the way we all started—just zero or one-shot prompting—you’re not keeping up. We need to push beyond dabbling. If you’re in your 30s, 40s, or 50s and not keeping up with changes in AI, rest assured: your career is at risk in the next five years.
For organizations, the stakes are even higher. If you don’t have an AI strategy—workflows and implementations tailored to leveraging AI for growth—you’re careening toward irrelevance.
Bold statement? Absolutely. But mark my words.
Large organizations, take note. Big ships turn slowly, and while startups leverage AI to evolve at breakneck speed, corporations are bogged down by compliance and bureaucracy. The right organization will not only allow but actively encourage its people to harness these tools. Because the future depends on how fast you evolve and integrate AI into your work.
For inspiration, check out the recent Y Combinator video:
“The AI Future Has Arrived: Here's What You Should Do About It”.
The quote that stood out for me was this: “There’s no gatekeeper to learn this stuff... the only gatekeeper is ambivalence or cynicism.” It’s not too late—just a matter of willingness to learn.
For leaders, this moment comes down to soft skills: curiosity, adaptability, and agility. These are the truly difficult capabilities to grasp when managing a diverse team or making critical hires. But, the future of our workforce depends on these soft skills—they will be the differentiators between those who thrive and those who fall behind. Thankfully, there has never been an easier time in history to quickly determine whether your team members or potential hires possess these crucial soft skills.
Here’s a simple test: in your next one-on-one, ask your team, “How are you using AI in your everyday work?” If you get a squishy answer, it’s a strong indicator that these soft skills are lacking.
Staying Ahead
A few weeks ago, I had lunch with a former colleague who asked me, “How are you keeping up with the rapid evolution of AI and AI tools?”. A question that many people are asking themselves right now.
Here’s what works for me: something I call TikTok and Tinker. It’s not an academic approach, but it’s effective. The reality is, there’s no linear path to keeping up. That’s why curiosity and adaptability are critical right now. I spend nights on TikTok following creators like Matt Farmer (@mattfarmer), Nat Choprasert (@brandnat), and the CEO of Digital Samaritan,
. Their insights fuel my experiments—whether it’s workflows, creative sparks, new solutions or entire projects.Then, I tinker. I carve out at least two hours daily to dive in. I rewatch saved collections, take notes in Notebook LM, and prioritize experiments that could have the biggest impact on my business. Sometimes it’s a quick Zapier workflow. Other times, it’s something bigger, like the web app I mentioned earlier.
Here’s the amazing part: the app I built in a weekend would’ve taken weeks—if not months—just two years ago. Back then, it would have required a team of five with vastly different skillsets and a hefty budget. Instead, it was just me, $80 in monthly subscriptions, and an intense burst of time.
My Advice? Seize the Moment
For anyone ready to really dive in, all I can say is START NOW! Challenge yourself—whether it’s with one new tool or honing your advanced prompting skills. The opportunity is incredible, and it’s just a matter of putting in the work and seeing where it takes you. Because the question isn’t whether AI will change your career—it’s whether you’re willing to change with it.