Stubbornness and Pride Will Be Our Downfall, Not AI

AI systems like GPT-4 are showcasing amazing capabilities across various fields and are already offering us new ways to solve complex problems, boost efficiency, and explore previously unimaginable possibilities. Yet, the real challenge isn’t in advancing this technology — it’s in overcoming our own resistance. Stubbornness and pride, not AI, could be our greatest downfall if we don’t learn to adapt and leverage these tools. Failing to embrace AI may be one of the biggest mistakes we make.

A Case Study in Medicine

In a recent study, researchers tested whether GPT-4 could assist doctors in making better diagnoses. Two groups were compared: one using traditional diagnostic methods, the other using AI alongside their tools. The doctors without AI support had a diagnostic accuracy rate of 73%, while those using GPT-4 showed only a slight improvement, achieving 77% accuracy. A small difference, but in the medical field, even a small difference can mean life or death.

However, here’s the biggest takeaway from this study. GPT-4 alone outperformed both groups, with an 88% accuracy rate. This tells me that doctors didn’t fully integrate AI’s capabilities into their decision-making.

This raises an important question: why aren’t we getting the most out of this amazing technology? The answer seems to be resistance — whether it’s pride, fear, or just not understanding how to use the technology. Many people are still hesitant to use AI as a true partner. Instead of seeing it as an opportunity to improve, they see it as a challenge to their expertise or a threat to their job.

Missing the Potential of Human-AI Collaboration

This study illustrates a missed opportunity for effective human-AI collaboration. Despite AI’s clear advantages, many professionals still see it as a threat rather than an ally. In fields like medicine, where years of training foster expertise, the idea that AI could outperform or assist in decision-making can feel like an affront to hard-earned skills. This hesitation is understandable but limits our ability to use AI to its fullest potential.

We must recognize that AI isn’t here to replace professionals but to complement their work. Imagine how much more accurate diagnoses could be if doctors fully combined their expertise with AI’s capabilities. AI, like GPT-4, is designed to enhance — not diminish — our abilities. It can fill in gaps where humans struggle and allow us to achieve more together than either could alone.

Stubbornness in a Changing World

This resistance isn’t confined to healthcare, though. It’s prevalent in industries like business and education as well. Many people are reluctant to embrace AI because they fear it will devalue their work. This mindset prevents us from unlocking the full benefits of AI and keeps us stuck in outdated or inefficient methods.

Teachers sometimes hesitate to use AI tools out of concern that they’ll lose their central role in the classroom. However, it’s been shown time and again that AI can help personalize learning and offer students the tailored support they need while freeing up teachers to focus on more human elements of teaching.

Overcoming Organizational Resistance

It’s not just individuals who resist AI — entire organizations can be slow to adapt. Changing workflows, retraining staff, and adjusting to a new culture takes time. But the urgency to adapt is now. Organizations, and in my content, School Districts, that embrace AI will become more efficient, innovative, and responsive, while those that resist will absolutely fall further behind.

To make the most of AI, we need to focus on two things: training and adapting our workflows. As the study with GPT-4 shows, AI can offer incredible assistance, but we need to learn how to work with it. Training in AI should go beyond the technical — to help people understand how AI can serve as a valuable partner rather than a competitor.

It’s certainly not going to be easy. Especially, given that each school district is uniquely different and each role within those district are as varied.

Final Thoughts

If we can overcome our pride and embrace AI’s potential, we open the door to incredible opportunities. AI can enhance our effectiveness, make our work more efficient, and allow us to solve problems that were once out of reach.

But if we resist it, we risk falling behind — not because AI will take over, but because we failed to let it help us achieve our fullest potential. The future is already here. In my opinion, we have a choice to make: adapt and thrive, or resist and get left behind.