When Everyone is Super…

In a hyper-connected, AI-boosted world that never-sleeps where superpowers are within reach of us all, it’s only fitting to draw inspiration from one of the great storytellers of our time, Brad Bird. His imaginative films, The Incredibles and Ratatouille (and many more), don’t just entertain; they challenge us to think deeply about power, creativity, humanity, and responsibility. Through the wisdom of his characters, we’re reminded that greatness isn’t just about the powers we gain, but about how we choose to use them. So, with a salute to Bird’s unforgettable heroes and villains, let’s dive into the remarkable era of AI, through the words of The Incredibles’ Syndrome (Buddy), Edna Mode, and Ratatouille’s Remy, Gusteau and Anton Ego.

1. “When everyone is super, no one will be” - Syndrome

As we sprint head-first into an era of superhuman capabilities, with AI, genetics, robotics, quantum, and beyond propelling us forward, a question we can’t ignore stands in our way. Are we, in this rush to become “super,” risking what makes us uniquely human?

From ChatGPT on our screens to Neuralink soon in our minds, humanity is crossing into superpowered territory. Yet, as Brad Bird’s line from The Incredibles so brilliantly warns, when everyone is super, with table stakes being raised, what remains to distinguish the exceptional from the average? Are we slipping into a world where the very idea of “remarkable” becomes a bit mundane?

Geographical boundaries that once defined opportunity have dissolved, and in their place is an ocean of knowledge available at the touch of a screen. “Common genius” is becoming the norm as AI transforms interactions into portals of access, learning, and creation. But here’s the new conundrum: amid all this instant power, can we hold on to what makes us purposefully, distinctly human?

In a world full of tools, the challenge is not how much power we can access, but what we choose to create with it. Imagine a reality where every super innovation uplifts humanity, where brilliance is tempered with compassion, and purpose guides every breakthrough. The opportunity is here, not to add more noise, but to infuse it with meaning.

If everyone has superpowers, it’s tempting to forget this simple truth: the greatest strength is often something no AI, no scientific marvel, can fully duplicate. Perhaps true superhuman power isn’t in the tech alone, but in marrying it with the one thing technology lacks: heart. Because maybe, the ultimate power isn’t found in a click, it’s in what we choose to do with the brilliance at our fingertips.

In the end, being truly super might mean creating something beyond what any tool alone can offer.

2. “I never look back, darling! It distracts from the now.” - Edna Mode

Let’s face it, change is the only constant. Gone are the days of gradual transitions. We’re in an age of hyper-change, where yesterday’s know-how can feel like today’s ancient history. The rules of the game are shifting faster than ever, asking each of us to evolve, whether we’re ready or not.

Just as Edna Mode says, "I never look back, darling! It distracts from the now."

For us, the “now” is a space where experience is valuable, but reinvention is non-negotiable. We’re no longer just trying to keep up, we’re sprinting to redefine the future. It’s a challenge our parents and grandparents faced, too, but at a pace we could hardly have imagined.

Bring in more power to ‘NOW!’. You are in full charge of managing your own planned evolution to ‘NOW’.

“Why would they change math? Math is math!” - Bob Parr

Math may be math, as Bob so fervently declares, but our relationship with it has evolved. Traditional statistics have grown into data science, which has transformed into machine learning, and now stands on the verge of General AI. Compute power is reaching unimaginable heights, algorithms evolve at breakneck speed, and the math? It’s evolving, too.

In this era, AI isn’t just affecting “blue-collar” jobs; it’s redefining “all-collar” professions. Programmers, artists, scientists, writers, every field is impacted. So, what’s the competitive edge now? Not mastering a skill but cultivating adaptability. When hiring, the goal isn’t finding the best programmer but someone ready to ride the AI wave, learning as they go, unafraid to surf the unknown.

“Change is nature. The part that we can influence. And it starts when we decide.” – Remy (Chef Rat)

Remy from Ratatouille reminds us: Change is inevitable, but our response to it is within our control. To survive and thrive, we must be both resilient and willing to influence change around us. In the end, being part of this transformation means more than just keeping up; it’s about choosing to be a force within the change.

3. "Anyone can cook." Chef Gusteau

"Anyone can be AI (Artificially Intelligent)"

Chef Gusteau’s words from Ratatouille ring true today: “Anyone can cook.” In the same spirit, anyone can learn AI. This superpower isn’t limited to a chosen few. The door is open for all with a simple internet connection and phone but now, the real question is: what will you create with it?

“Not everyone can become a great artist, but a great artist can come from anywhere,” Anton Ego.

AI has democratized creativity, analysis, and insight. Yet with great power comes an equally great responsibility. What will we choose to make with our AI tools? How will we use them to add value to the world?

In the words of Ego, critics risk little yet enjoy the luxury of commentary. As bloggers, observers, and thinkers, we have the privilege to critique and guide, and with that comes a duty to shape AI’s future responsibly. AI, in all its promise, reflects both the good and the not-so-good in us. Our challenge is to ensure that the AI we create represents our higher nature, our hopes, and yes, maybe a touch of our humility.

So, what’s your super-powered “dish” to bring to the table? Will it be something that’s as human as it is intelligent?

“If you have the desire and power to create change… always go for it.”

In The Incredibles, we see who typically holds the power, the antagonists. Eight times out of ten, they’re the ones who call the shots turning AI into weapons for mass destruction. Today, as we each wield our own superpowers in AI, the stakes are high. Power in the wrong hands has serious consequences, but if your intentions are rooted in a desire to uplift and inspire, why hold back?

As we gain these new capabilities, we are reminded of an enduring truth: we’re stronger together. Working collectively, using our superhuman abilities for the greater good, we become unstoppable. It’s time to use our superpowers, not just our AI tools, but our humanity, our compassion, and our vision, to uplift one another. Soft skills matter more than ever.

“No capes!” ?Edna Mode

A Grateful Note to Brad Bird

Thank you, Brad Bird, for these unforgettable lessons in courage, creativity, and compassion. Your characters have shown us that real strength is found not in the power we wield, but in how we use it. We are grateful for the reminders to look within, to be humble, and to stay true to the greater good.

#BradBird #IncredibleAI #ChangeIsConstant #Future #EveryoneSuper #Evolve!