Authentic Connection in an Artificial World

Lately, I’ve been speaking a lot about authentic connection—the kind that builds trust with employees, loyalty with customers, and strength in leadership.

But here’s what I can’t stop thinking about: How do we stay deeply human in a world increasingly driven by artificial intelligence?

When it comes to AI, most people land in one of two extremes:

1. Fear it. They see it as a threat to jobs, relationships, even identity.
2. Worship it. They believe it can do everything faster, smarter, and better than humans ever could.

I believe both views are wrong.

AI isn’t a villain or a savior, it’s a tool.
And like any tool, its impact depends on how you use it.

As Gallup puts it: “AI excels at recognizing patterns and making predictions, but people provide the context, intuition, and ethics.”

Let me put it even more clearly:

‍The future isn’t AI vs. humans. It’s AI with humans.

That’s where the real magic happens.

Look at Delta Air Lines as an example. Their seatback screens greet you by name, remember your favorite movie, and pick up right where you left off. That’s not coincidence, it’s technology working behind the scenes to make the human experience smoother, warmer, and better.

Or take a healthcare company using AI to detect risks early. That breakthrough doesn’t replace doctors, but it arms them with personalized insights that lead to better conversations, better care, and better outcomes.

The goal isn’t to make machines more human, it’s to let machines free us up to be more human.

AI can be lightning-fast and data-smart—but it will never have what makes us truly human:
Empathy. Intuition. Ethics. Wisdom.

The question every leader should be asking: How can we use AI to deepen authentic human connection?

Technology doesn’t have to erase connection. Instead, it can empower it if we use it wisely.

So as you lead your team, grow your business, or raise your kids:

• Don’t run from AI.
• Don’t give it the keys either.
• Use it to elevate what only humans can do.

Authentic connection isn’t going away.It’s becoming the most valuable skill we’ve got. Let AI make you more human, not less.