How Not to Get Hosed by AI

When I was 6 years old, there was no more awesome a power than a garden hose at FULL BLAST.

Sure, there was Niagara Falls. Yes, there were the Space Shuttle launches.

But those PALED in comparison to the total eye-blinking obliterating power of a hose at FULL BLAST.

Well, one day my Dad was spraying off the driveway, and I wanted to help. I asked if I could try by myself, and he agreed.

The hose was on medium flow. I got the hang of it, and enjoyed watching the fallen leaves sweep away into the street gutter.

But then… my inner evil scientist had an idea. “Dad, what if we turned the hose to FULL BLAST?”

“You sure?” He asked. I nodded. Probably a bit too eagerly.

“OK” he said in a tone of voice that really meant, “I warned you”, he walked over to the spigot and gave it a hard yank to the right.

Now, for the more curious among you, its important to say that I have never been in the cockpit of a fighter jet. Nor have I been strapped to the business end of a rocket. But I submit that those experiences couldn’t hold a candle to the exhilarating Prometheus-like-destructive power that I felt surge through my hands at that moment.

Twigs evaporated. Leaves were blown into nothingness. And for a second I wondered if I would pierce the center of the earth itself and send devastation and mayhem throughout China.

But then… something I didn’t expect…happened.

The hose, turned against me. It began to snake back and forth… dragging me with it. Pretty soon I lost control, was thrown to the ground, and became summarily drenched as I tried to flee for my life.

My Dad, being the caring and attentive father he was, doubled over laughing, unsympathetic to his first-born child’s near death experience.

He has since paid for my therapy bills.

So why does this matter?

This past weekend I attended a Mastermind event where we talked about the formidable power of AI, and how it is on the cusp of literally changing everything.

Right off the bat, my group and I marveled at AI’s unparalleled ability to relay information and create written copy. It rattled off articles, social media posts, images, and even new music all at the click of a button with breathtaking speed. And I heard several people excitedly exclaim how much time this would save them, and how much more content they would be able to create.

It was even quoted that AI will surpass the powers of fire and electricity as it shaped the destiny of mankind.

Heady words, for sure.

But that made me question: Does “Information and Content” drive REAL success and influence?

A man much smarter than I once said, “Remember, the purpose of technology is to support the fundamentals, not replace them.” -Brian Buffini. And as far as I can tell, the fundamentals of success lies in our ability to provide Value and Connection to others.

However, its tempting to mistake increased information and content as indicators of success. In a political debate, Abraham Lincoln once said of his opponent, “Never have I heard so many words crammed into so few ideas.” I think the same could be said for much of what people are creating with AI, “So much content… crammed into so little value.”

Remember: attention doesn’t follow information and content.

Attention follows VALUE and CONNECTION.

And you can’t influence people who aren’t paying attention to you.

The extent that AI (or any other technology we use) helps us create MORE value and connection with the people we are trying to influence and serve, then we will be successful.

Otherwise, you’ll get hosed.

How do you use AI to build value and connection for others?

Feel free to reply back!

Christian

CHRISTIAN HANSEN has gone behind the scenes in some of the biggest organizations in the world to find out the reasons why some people get chosen and why others don’t. As the #1 bestselling and LinkedIn Top Ten ranked author of “The Influence Mindset: The Art & Science of Getting People to Choose You” Christian helps teams and organizations who want increase their earning potential by standing out from the crowd and influencing people to choose them. With degrees from Brigham Young University and The London School of Economics, he’s helped thousands of individuals position and sell themselves. A fan of international communication, history, and choral music, he currently lives in Utah with his wife. Reach him at: TheChristianHansen.com