Yes, the reliance on tools often leads to deskilling. But it also enables upskilling: gaining skill and experience in higher-level tasks that could matter more to us.
Does it matter that we lose the skill to do basic calculations in our heads when pocket calculators allow us to spend more time solving actual mathematical problems? The reliance on cars, trains and planes allowed us to travel more widely and experience more cultures. The reliance on computers allowed us to create and share more ideas.
Some runners blame Nike for introducing a type of running shoes that all runners now depend on. Most people cannot run with bare feet anymore because the soles of our feet have adapted to soft shoes. Is that bad? It depends on what else we gained in return.
We agree on the transformational potential of new technology. I share your (sceptical) optimism on most days. However, I just finished listening to Harari’s Nexus, and let’s say it left me feeling a little less "upbeat" for the next weeks.
I think AI is not just the next tool after calculators, GPS, and convenient transport. It's vastly more powerful when covering an endless range of cognitive tasks. Exciting and risky.
The problem is that humans aren’t famous for taking the long view regarding tech adoption. We often embrace what’s easy, and when we are faced with the downsides, climate change, smartphone addiction, or attention problems, it’s much harder to course-correct.
This article is simply a call to stay alert (while we still can) to that pattern. When things become too easy, there’s usually a hidden cost. When the cost affects your cognitive fitness, use it or lose it. I am 58, and I cannot afford to speed up any form of decline.
I’m glad you brought up running. In 2016, I bought one of the first pairs of Hoka maximalist shoes. People laughed at me in the street...now they’re a fashion. I loved them. I could run fast and long without knee pain. But today, I’ve got serious tendon issues. More cushion helped in the short term, but reduced proprioception and muscle engagement. I didn’t know the tradeoff, so I didn’t balance it. I would’ve alternated shoes, strengthened muscles, and avoided many issues if I had known.
That’s my point about AI. We need to embrace the potential, but we also need to be aware of the risks of what it's replacing and probably reinvest some of that saved effort into keeping ourselves sharp. To be on the safe side.
Thanks again for helping deepen this conversation.
This was honest and resonant framings on what AI offloading actually costs.
I’ve been writing about this too, how working with AI demands reflection as infrastructure. Without a rhythm of reinvestment, curiosity, taste, fluency, we risk not just outsourcing tasks, but slowly eroding the clarity we used to lead with.
Thank you for putting language to something so many feel but haven’t named yet.
Thanks Roy, for your kind words! I am determined to somehow find ways to use AI and stay smart and independent in the process. Looking forward to reading your work!
Yes, the reliance on tools often leads to deskilling. But it also enables upskilling: gaining skill and experience in higher-level tasks that could matter more to us.
Does it matter that we lose the skill to do basic calculations in our heads when pocket calculators allow us to spend more time solving actual mathematical problems? The reliance on cars, trains and planes allowed us to travel more widely and experience more cultures. The reliance on computers allowed us to create and share more ideas.
Some runners blame Nike for introducing a type of running shoes that all runners now depend on. Most people cannot run with bare feet anymore because the soles of our feet have adapted to soft shoes. Is that bad? It depends on what else we gained in return.
Jurgen, thanks so much for your comment!
We agree on the transformational potential of new technology. I share your (sceptical) optimism on most days. However, I just finished listening to Harari’s Nexus, and let’s say it left me feeling a little less "upbeat" for the next weeks.
I think AI is not just the next tool after calculators, GPS, and convenient transport. It's vastly more powerful when covering an endless range of cognitive tasks. Exciting and risky.
The problem is that humans aren’t famous for taking the long view regarding tech adoption. We often embrace what’s easy, and when we are faced with the downsides, climate change, smartphone addiction, or attention problems, it’s much harder to course-correct.
This article is simply a call to stay alert (while we still can) to that pattern. When things become too easy, there’s usually a hidden cost. When the cost affects your cognitive fitness, use it or lose it. I am 58, and I cannot afford to speed up any form of decline.
I’m glad you brought up running. In 2016, I bought one of the first pairs of Hoka maximalist shoes. People laughed at me in the street...now they’re a fashion. I loved them. I could run fast and long without knee pain. But today, I’ve got serious tendon issues. More cushion helped in the short term, but reduced proprioception and muscle engagement. I didn’t know the tradeoff, so I didn’t balance it. I would’ve alternated shoes, strengthened muscles, and avoided many issues if I had known.
That’s my point about AI. We need to embrace the potential, but we also need to be aware of the risks of what it's replacing and probably reinvest some of that saved effort into keeping ourselves sharp. To be on the safe side.
Thanks again for helping deepen this conversation.
This was honest and resonant framings on what AI offloading actually costs.
I’ve been writing about this too, how working with AI demands reflection as infrastructure. Without a rhythm of reinvestment, curiosity, taste, fluency, we risk not just outsourcing tasks, but slowly eroding the clarity we used to lead with.
Thank you for putting language to something so many feel but haven’t named yet.
Thanks Roy, for your kind words! I am determined to somehow find ways to use AI and stay smart and independent in the process. Looking forward to reading your work!