Episode Summary
AI is getting better at tasks people once spent years mastering, and the stories about its dangers are getting louder. Ron and Deb wonder what happens to our sense of purpose when a tool can do work that used to define us. Rather than pretending those fears are unfounded, they explore how people might approach a changing world with more curiosity and less attachment to being the expert.
Deb points to radiology as an example of a profession facing profound technological change. Ron responds with examples of skills and industries that have changed over time, from sailing to spaceflight. Their question is not simply which jobs AI might change, but whether people will use that change as a reason to retreat or as an opening to create something new. They also discuss how AI learns from human stories, including our creativity and our capacity to cause harm.
Why Learning Something New Feels So Uncomfortable
Deb shares her attempts to learn sourdough baking, including the loaves that became focaccia when they failed to rise. For her, mistakes are part of the fun of learning. But she and Ron recognize that starting over can feel threatening to someone who has spent a lifetime becoming competent in one role. They explore how the story “I’m not good at this” can stop people before they discover what they are capable of doing.
Curiosity, Leadership Development, and Company Culture
Ron invites listeners to remember how they explored the world as children, constantly trying new things without needing to master them first. Deb recalls a teacher who let students follow their questions rather than always sticking to the curriculum. They bring that same challenge into the workplace: does leadership welcome people who ask questions, or expect them to follow instructions without pushing back? Their examples of Nokia and Kodak lead to a conversation about how company culture can either make room for experimentation or discourage it.
Keeping Our Humanity While Working With AI
Ron sees AI as a powerful partner for people willing to ask more questions, while Deb cautions that a system that appears curious is not necessarily curious in the human sense. Both return to the importance of responsibility, judgment, and relationships. They worry about the consequences of trusting powerful technology too easily, but also see an opportunity to practice a skill that matters well beyond AI: becoming comfortable with being uncomfortable.
The invitation is to notice where curiosity may have gone quiet in your own life and what it would take to bring it back. Whether you are navigating AI adoption, leadership training, or a career that is changing under your feet, Ron and Deb suggest that learning, experimenting, and staying open to possibility are deeply human strengths worth developing.
Ron and Deb would love to hear how you are approaching AI, what concerns you, and how you are supporting people who feel threatened by change. Reach out to Ron at ron@macklinconnection.com or Deb at deb@macklinconnection.com to continue the conversation.
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