The antidote of everchanging future

Author: Nigel Sielegar

Written on 01.20.2025

The rise of AI has been quite rapid. AI stands apart from other inventions because it’s the first to take agency out of our hands and can make decisions on our behalf.

Even today, AI already influences what you see on social media, what movies are recommended to you, what political ideologies you support, and whether or not you qualify for a business loan. To think your job or industry won’t be touched by AI is, quite frankly, naive. The real question isn’t whether AI will affect you—it’s whether you can adapt to the changes.

But adaptation itself poses a challenge. The problem isn’t the change—it’s the speed. Consider the printing press: it took centuries for society to adjust, and even then, it resulted in the tragic deaths of tens of thousands during the witch hunts. Now, the pace of technological change leaves us with far less time to adapt.

Still, all hope isn’t lost. Despite its name, “Artificial Intelligence” excels in only one domain: IQ—the intelligence tied to language, math, logic, and memory. But intelligence is far more multifaceted than AI’s current capabilities. Humans possess four primary types of intelligence:

IQ: Cognitive intelligence—understanding facts, concepts, and logic.
EQ: Emotional intelligence—the ability to comprehend and regulate emotions.
SQ: Social intelligence—navigating relationships and fostering connection.
AQ: Adversity intelligence—resilience in the face of challenges.

The antidote to an AI-driven future lies in strengthening these other forms of intelligence. We need to dig into what makes us uniquely human and cultivate practices and values that help us thrive. If I had to bet on who will survive and succeed in the future, it’s those who can regulate their emotions, build meaningful relationships, and overcome adversity.

The future isn’t just about adapting to technology—it’s about remembering what it means to be human.