AI, Vulnerability, and What I Learned When I Hit 'Publish’

After a few months of being off the radar—busy speaking, advising, and navigating boardroom conversations on AI—I’m excited to be back in your inbox.

While my usual insights dive into the technical side of AI, today I’m stepping out from behind the tech curtain. Instead, I’m sharing something more personal: reflections on what AI taught me about myself this month.

Monthly Reflection

Here's what I’ve been reflecting on lately…

And that’s where my concern lies.

While AI excels at research, conducting forensics, and handling mundane tasks (thank goodness!), I've seen professionals blindly accept AI-generated insights without questioning their validity, leading to flawed decisions.

AI is a powerful tool—but only when paired with human discernment.

I believe we need to draw a line in the sand.

Outsource the tasks?

Absolutely.

Outsource our thinking?

That’s where I hesitate.

My Scariest Move

Speaking of stepping outside comfort zones... putting myself out there online has been terrifying!

I hit ‘publish’… and immediately regretted it.

What if no one cared? What if I looked ridiculous?

I’m a practitioner at heart. I love doing the work—building things, motivating my teams, exploring uncharted territory. For years, I’ve been busy doing the work rather than talking about it.

Then came the book, and suddenly I needed an online presence. Public speaking. Writing. These felt like "big, audacious, hairy, scary goals" (yes, that's exactly how I think of them).

But I did it anyway.

I pushed through the fear of judgment and criticism. And the rewards?

They’ve been fantastic. My network has expanded beyond my wildest dreams, connecting me with brilliant minds tackling the same challenges.

What’s Exciting Me Right Now

Maybe it’s confirmation bias, but discovering conferences like Human X and hearing about board-level discussions centered on the human element of AI deployment has me energized!

While everyone’s debating technical specifications, a growing community is focusing on what happens after deployment—that is the real scaling challenge of AI adoption and human workforce integration.

For instance, a Fortune 500 company I recently spoke with is investing heavily in AI training—but they’re realizing the real challenge isn’t technology. It’s helping employees think differently about their role in an AI-augmented workforce.

The more I share my experiences, the more I find others exploring how this future workforce will function. There’s something deeply satisfying about democratizing knowledge and connecting with like-minded individuals.

Your Turn

What’s one thing that used to scare you but now feels natural? Or, have you caught yourself outsourcing your thinking to AI?

Let’s discuss—I’d love to hear your story!

Until next time,

Sol