Have We Become Cyborgs? Living in the Age of AI

WARNING: What Ethan Mollick claims might unnerve you. But let me explain.

In his insightful book Co-Intelligence, author Ethan Mollick offers a perspective that caught me off guard: "You are not only a human, but also a cyborg." This wasn't a line from a science fiction novel, but rather a reflection on our present reality, delivered by an AI that Mollick interacted with during his exploration of artificial intelligence.

At first, the concept of being a "cyborg" felt foreign, even a bit jarring. Cyborgs are supposed to be futuristic, part-human, part-machine entities. Yet, as the AI explained to Mollick, this transformation is already happening. 

Enhancing Our Capabilities

"You are a cyborg," the AI explained, "because you use machines to enhance your abilities and extend your senses." Mollick recounts how his AI went on to list our daily reliance on machines, from the computers that store our information to the smartphones that keep us connected. We use devices to communicate, capture moments, and solve problems. In essence, we are already merging with technology, albeit in a less dramatic, less visible way.

Think about it: We have devices that track our health, apps that suggest the best decisions, and tools that help us optimise our daily routines. They enhance our memory, vision, communication, and learning. Machines allow us to do things we could never do alone, whether it's creating art, analysing complex data, or reaching out to a global network of people in seconds.

The Invisible Cyborg

Perhaps the most striking part of the AI's observation, as Mollick relays, is how invisible this transformation has been. The phone in your pocket or the wearable device on your wrist might seem mundane, but they are extensions of your cognitive and physical capabilities. We already trust machines to carry out tasks we once thought uniquely human. Our dependence on them continues to grow, blurring the line between human and machine, between biological and technological.

But is this a bad thing?

Not necessarily. Just as we once used tools like the wheel or the printing press to push human progress forward, AI and machines are doing the same for us now, at an even faster pace. The real question isn’t whether we should embrace this change, but how we can do so wisely.

Cyborgs in a New Era of Work

As we step deeper into the age of AI, our professional lives will increasingly reflect this "cyborg" reality. Already, AI tools are streamlining workflows, automating repetitive tasks, and even making high-level strategic recommendations. We will increasingly rely on AI not just as a tool but as a co-worker, and even a co-creator. The challenge now is not about resisting this shift but learning how to collaborate with these technologies in a way that amplifies our strengths and creativity.

Becoming aware of our "cyborg" nature is a first step toward leveraging the full potential of AI. It’s a call to rethink the boundaries of what it means to be human in the digital age.

Conclusion

In a world that feels increasingly driven by technology, it’s easy to feel disconnected or out of control. But perhaps Mollick and his AI are right all along. We are not passive passengers in this technological revolution; we are active participants. We are not only human. We are already something more, a hybrid of flesh and machine, creativity and computation.

The sooner we accept and embrace our role as modern-day cyborgs, the sooner we can thrive in this new era of AI. So the next time you pick up your phone or glance at your smartwatch, remember: you’re not just using a tool. You are extending your capabilities, becoming something more.

Article: Inspired by My Expertise, Enhanced by AI