The Exponential Importance of Human Connection in an AI World
At the end of 2023, a friend gave me the (bad) advice that I should change my speaking topic to focus on Artificial Intelligence.
“All anyone is going to be talking about in 2024 is AI,” he said. “Belonging, connection, culture... all of those things will take a back seat to AI.”
Fast forward 12 months to the end of 2024, and I was wrapping up the biggest year yet in my speaking business.
Was AI a hot topic last year? Definitely. Will it continue to be at the forefront of digital transformation and business innovation in the future? 100%.
Have I used AI tools like ChatGPT to increase my research capacity and spend more time doing work I care about, with the people I care about most? For sure.
Have I *adapted* my content to be more relevant in an AI-world? You bet.
But what my friend didn't understand is that as everyone walks down one path, there is immense power in staying in your lane, doubling down on your expertise, and trusting what you know to be true.
As AI becomes more and more influential in how we work and how we live, the importance of human connection only increases exponentially.
ChatGPT is a powerful tool. But it can't give you a handshake, a high-five, or a hug.
At each of my events in 2024, whether there were 50 people in the room or 1000 people, I could feel how hungry attendees were to spend time with their coworkers and colleagues, how much they had been looking forward to simply getting off of a screen and catching up with their friends.
I believe that speakers and facilitators who are experts in workplace culture, team building, relationships, and designing experiences that create connection, trust, empathy, and belonging, will continue to see their businesses thrive long into the future.
I believe that organizations that value diversity of talent, expertise, background, and ideas, and do the work to build an inclusive culture, will reap enormous benefits on their bottom-line, and make a greater positive impact on society.
As we embark into 2025, remember to take advice with a grain of salt, and stay true to the message on your heart. Remember that if some people are walking in one direction, you don’t have to walk in the same direction. Everyone asks your resolution for the new year, what are you going to do differently? Instead I ask you, How will you stay the course? How will you keep doing something important that you’re already doing?
This post was originally published on my Substack Newsletter on January 13, 2025.
