Are we limited by what we know or what we don’t know? How can AI help?

It is an interesting topic to discuss. What are we limited by? You are only expert, if at all, in a very small number of domains. And even that, there are other experts in the field with different views and experiences. The one area that you most likely to claim you know best on, is yourself, your own mind, because you should have the monopoly in that information economy, right? But even that is being challenged by AI or new technology, which is getting better at observing you and making sense out of your behaviours, rational or not.

When you can get over these, it can help to see AI as a great tool for our mind. Does it really matter that AI is more “creative” than you? Or are you going to take credit for the output anyway?

I’d argue, with the help of AI, is that we are limited by both what we know and what we don’t know. And the failure to accept these is ultimately slowing us down. Even in AI adoption. Let me explain:

What we know:

  • Confirmation bias: When people have existing knowledge, they tend to seek out information that confirms their preconceptions, rather than challenging them. This can lead to a narrow perspective and limit their ability to consider alternative viewpoints.
  • Cognitive rigidity: The more expertise someone has in a particular area, the more likely they are to rely on familiar patterns of thinking, which can make it harder for them to adapt to new information or
    innovative ideas.
  • Overconfidence: When people feel confident in their knowledge, they may become less open to learning from others, asking questions, or seeking feedback. This can lead to stagnation and a lack of growth.

What we don’t know:

  • Unknown unknowns: The things we don’t know that we don’t know (yes, it’s a bit of a tongue-twister!) can be the most limiting factor. If we’re not aware of our own knowledge gaps, we may not even realize what we’re missing out on.
  • Ignorance of ignorance: When people are unaware of their own lack of knowledge in a particular area, they may make uninformed decisions or take unnecessary risks without realizing it.
  • Fear of the unknown: The uncertainty and discomfort associated with not knowing something can lead to anxiety, hesitation, or avoidance, which can limit personal growth, creativity, and innovation.

However, there’s also a third aspect to consider:

The awareness of what they don’t know:

  • Intellectual humility: Recognizing the limits of one’s knowledge and being open to learning from others can be incredibly liberating. It allows individuals to ask questions, seek feedback, and explore new ideas without fear of embarrassment or loss of face.
  • Curiosity: Embracing the unknown and cultivating curiosity can lead to a love of learning, creativity, and innovation. By acknowledging what they don’t know, people can begin to fill those knowledge gaps and expand their understanding of the world.

By acknowledging and embracing the limits of our knowledge, individuals can cultivate intellectual humility, curiosity, and a love of learning, which can ultimately lead to personal growth, creativity, and innovation.

AI, having digested most of the commonly available digital information, helped me to structure all these arguments in minutes. I just needed to ask the right question, and it helped to structure my thoughts for further exploration. Start merging your thought process with AI!