We fear that which we do not understand. This well-worn saying seems particularly apt for the world of artificial intelligence (AI). 

Judging by the regular doomsday headlines, and idle chatter at the water cooler, many people are clearly feeling apprehensive about the advent of AI. That one day we will turn up at work only to find our job has been taken over by a piece of technology. That somehow AI is something that is happening TO us, a harbinger of doom from the future sent to destroy us.

This fear is understandable. Fear stems from our brain’s survival mechanism, which primes us to be wary of things unfamiliar. We often become scared or apprehensive in the face of the unknown, with a creeping sense of insecurity or loss of control. This fear tends to induce a fixed mindset.

Yet here’s the thing. If we adopt that fixed and fearful mindset, we may risk inducing precisely the outcome we fear most. Our insecurity may cause us to push back on the use of AI. We may decide not to engage, to learn, or to adapt. We risk being left behind. 

There is an alternative. In her book Mindset, Dr. Carol Dweck explains the opportunities available to us when we adopt a growth mindset, and how new skills can be acquired through the application of curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a healthy dose of resilience. So how does a growth mindset apply in the context of AI?

For a start we need to understand what AI really is, as well as its limitations.

AI typically refers to the use of computer systems to perform tasks that require human intelligence, such as learning, problem solving and decision making. These systems can usually learn and improve performance over time. AI can process natural language, interpret images and consume vast amounts of data, often at incredibly fast speeds. 

This makes it incredibly useful from a productivity perspective, enabling us to radically reduce the time it takes to perform mundane tasks. (Want that lengthy document summarised, or converted into a cool PowerPoint? Done in a flash.)

Equally there are limitations. Some, like Emily Bender, argue that while AI can generate human-like text based on statistical patterns in data, it lacks true semantic understanding. This means it is still incredibly useful, but also prone to occasional errors, referred to as hallucinations. 

Plus, while AI is incredibly powerful, it needs direction to be put to good use. That’s where we humans come in. We have agency. We can choose whether, how and where to use it, whether that is to boost our productivity, create images or learn something new. 

The fact is that AI adoption rates are going through the roof. People are discovering new use cases every day. Right now, in your workplace, there are people experimenting, learning and practising curiosity. And that brings us to a fundamental truth, which is that evolution is not about the survival of the strongest, or the fastest, but those most responsive to change. We have a choice.

When we choose to adopt a growth mindset, we conceive of AI less as a threat, and more as a useful assistant. We can start to harness the power of this technology. We can start to conceive of AI as a tool, not a terminator. 

Keen to learn more? Check out these FREE learning resources to help you get up to speed on all things AI. 

There’s a reason the podcast Don’t Let the Old Man In resonates with thousands of men in their 50s. It speaks to the quiet war many fight against obsolescence, irrelevance, and a determination to navigate life’s crossroads with clarity and confidence. And likewise, if you’re reading this, you haven’t given up. You’re still curious. Maya Angelou once said, “If you’re always trying to be normal, you will never know how amazing you can be.” Midlife career change isn’t about being extraordinary. It’s about being aligned—with yourself.

Stephen Keys is the Producer of the Don’t Let the Old Man In podcast. Listen on YouTube, Apple, Spotify or wherever you tune in. Find more thoughts on living gracefully (and disgracefully) in the second half of life at The Wisdom Vault, on LinkedIn, Substack and even (!) Instagram.