Embracing AI as Our Copilot: Are You Ready to Be the Pilot in Your Plane?

We’ve all heard about using generative AI as our copilot these days, and how humans need to focus on being the pilots themselves. As it seems, this metaphor comes from the world of rally racing.

It makes reference to those people who have the gift of being able to give the right indication to their teammates at the right time, to achieve a better time in the race. And the pilots are those skilled drivers who execute those indications to perfection, or as close as possible, so together they aim for great results.?

Yes, I know what you might be thinking: when in the car I am not that kind of copilot. I am not either. I take many long roadtrips with my husband, and that is not the role I’d say I have as a copilot. I take care of him. I offer him a meal or drinks and snacks, and make sure we have good music. I chat with the kids, and read about the places we are passing by.

But if I am honest, that was not the copilot that came to my mind either when I heard about AI. Truth be told, when I heard this concept, I immediately focused on what this implies: if we are using AI as the copilot; I am the pilot.

Our Challenges as Pilots

Let me share with you a personal reflection about pilots. Last week, I was with my family in an airport. It was the first time we traveled with our children and my husband, who happens to be interested in barely-anything related to planes, was chatting with my son about Pilots and copilots as they were seeing one.?

That was when I overheard this conversation

you know, pilots and copilots both know very well how to drive the plane. They both know more or less the same. But the pilot is more experienced; has been doing this longer and that is very valuable.

Actually, part of the job of being a pilot is to teach, to transmit this experience to the copilot, and to share quality time together. And with all these experiences, the copilot will become a pilot themself, and then they pass it on to others.?

Of course, you might imagine that this is not just the technical part, because it will probably even turn obsolete. It’s about responsibility, the work ethics, what taking so many people’s lives in their planes means to them as they get them safely to the other side.

It will be this part of being a pilot, the commitment to others, that makes them go beyond what was expected. And trying out possibilities that even super smart autopilots would not do when something goes wrong.?

Well, because even if it’s a slim chance, accidents and faults do happen. And when they do, we all desire a pilot who is deeply committed and experienced. It is the combination of knowledge, wisdom, and a profound sense of responsibility that instills confidence in passengers. The pilot's ability to handle emergencies and navigate unforeseen challenges becomes invaluable in such moments.

As decision-makers in our organizations, it is essential for us to embrace our role as pilots in this era of AI. Our experience, deep commitment, and dedication to those who depend on us propel us to soar to new heights. Like pilots, we need to be experienced and committed to guiding our teams.

It is through our leadership that we foster a culture of continuous learning, passing on knowledge, and preparing the next generation of pilots.

Are you, are you getting ready to be the pilot in your plane?

Written by Vera Babat