Let’s be clear: there is currently one major topic dominating the corporate world. The question many leaders face is whether to allow their staff to use AI and, if so, how to ensure their safety in doing so. Should they permit them to use ChatGPT, Gemini, or stick with Copilot?
Artificial intelligence has become one of the most talked-about subjects in recent months, yet it remains widely misunderstood. In many professional environments, AI is often dismissed as merely a toy for social media content, memes, or a marketing gimmick. Conversely, it is viewed skeptically as something that threatens genuine expertise.
This skepticism is particularly prevalent among experts, scientists, engineers, and seasoned professionals who have built their careers on deep knowledge, rigor, and, in particular, experience. However, while many continue to maintain a safe distance, the workplace is quietly evolving. AI is no longer a novelty; it is becoming a force multiplier that is already reshaping how work is done, who delivers value, and how quickly excellence can be achieved.
“AI is for memes, not for serious work… or not?
When individuals have spent years building their knowledge, mastering a discipline, or earning credibility, it can be uncomfortable to accept that a machine could assist — or, worse, rival — their level of proficiency. As a result, experts may, consciously or unconsciously, isolate themselves from AI tools to protect their identities as specialists. There is also a cultural factor at play.
In many organizations, AI adoption is primarily driven by marketing or IT teams, reinforcing the perception that it is disconnected from core decision-making processes. This creates a dangerous gap: while experts remain skeptical, others quietly learn how to leverage AI. The irony is that this skepticism does not protect expertise; instead, it gradually erodes its relevance. The painful reality check The reality today is considerably different from obsolete narratives.
AI has evolved at an astonishing speed, transforming from a novelty into a powerful tool. Modern AI capabilities allow users to draft reports, analyze data, summarize research, create presentations, develop strategies, and even simulate decision-making scenarios — all within minutes. What is truly disruptive about AI is not that it replaces experts, but that it compresses the experience required to produce high-quality work.
A young professional with limited experience but a strong curiosity can create documents, analyses, and proposals that closely resemble outputs from individuals with ten or fifteen years of experience — and do so in a fraction of the time. This is not because they have become experts overnight, but because AI provides the structure, language, and synthesis that typically takes years to develop.
This shift changes the rules of the game. Expertise is no longer defined solely by knowledge; it is now also about how effectively one can leverage both human and artificial intelligence. The real value lies in asking the right questions (prompt engineering), framing the appropriate problems, and interpreting outputs with sound judgment. Experienced professionals still possess critical advantages such as context, intuition, ethical reasoning, and strategic understanding.
However, without incorporating AI into their work, these advantages may be underutilized. When combined with AI, their expertise can reach an exponential level. In this new reality, the risk is not that AI will replace experts — rather, it is that experts who ignore AI will be outpaced by those who merge their experience with technology.
How to use AI as a daily work ally (When authorized)
The most effective professionals are no longer questioning whether they should use AI; instead, they are focusing on how to use it effectively. The key is not merely delegation but collaboration—integrating human judgment with machine efficiency. In daily work, AI can serve as a powerful co-pilot. It can help structure complex documents that you then refine. It can summarize lengthy reports, allowing you to concentrate on decision-making rather than getting bogged down in reading.
Additionally, it can generate first drafts of presentations, proposals, or emails, freeing up time for strategic thinking and relationship building. AI can also act as a thinking partner. By challenging assumptions, offering alternative perspectives, or simulating scenarios, it sharpens your reasoning rather than replacing it.
For leaders, this means improved preparation; for specialists, it allows for faster exploration of ideas; and for managers, it provides clarity and consistency in communication. The most important shift, however, is in mindset. AI should not be seen as a shortcut or a crutch but as a force multiplier.
Professionals remain accountable for quality, ethics, and decision-making—AI simply accelerates the transition from idea to execution. Those who master this balance gain time—and time is the most valuable currency in modern work. It allows for time to think, time to lead, and time to innovate.
Organizations that foster this kind of collaboration are already witnessing positive results: higher productivity, quicker learning curves, and more empowered teams. Individuals who embrace this approach become more adaptable, competitive, and future-proof.
The choice is not adoption, it’s relevance
AI is not coming. It is already here. Every professional must confront a critical question: Will you watch from the sidelines, or will you thoughtfully incorporate AI into your work? I’ve been pondering the same question for my coaching practice: How can I effectively integrate this powerful tool? The future belongs to those who combine experience with curiosity, expertise with adaptability, and human judgment with artificial intelligence.
Those who do not adapt risk becoming slower, less relevant, and ultimately replaceable—not by machines themselves, but by individuals who know how to use those machines effectively. The power of AI does not lie in its ability to think for us. Instead, it enhances our capacity to think better, faster, and further. In today’s world, this enhancement is not a luxury; it is a necessity.
Alexander Martinez
