Co-Intelligence: What Ethan Mollick's Book Has Me Thinking About...
Over dinner with my friend Alex Watkins—an endlessly curious mind and fellow lifelong learner—we delved into a spirited discussion about Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick. True to form, Alex brought her understated wit and probing questions, unraveling threads I hadn’t even considered. Our conversation quickly expanded beyond the book, ending with a profound reflection on humanity's ancient, enduring questions—and their role in shaping a future where human and AI trajectories become ever more intertwined. So let's dive right in...
When AI Comes to the Table, What’s Left for Us to Do?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve spent a lot of sleepless nights noodling over artificial intelligence lately. Not because I’m building robots in my garage, but because AI keeps finding ways to ask new, uncomfortable questions about what it means to be human. After reading Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence, those questions have only gotten louder.
Let me just say upfront: I don’t have the answers. But I do think this book nudges us toward a more intentional conversation about AI—not as something to be afraid of, but as something to wrestle with. So, if you’re like me and you’re just trying to make sense of it all, here are a few things I’ve been turning over in my mind.
Let me just say upfront: I don’t have the answers. But I do think this book nudges us toward a more intentional conversation about AI—not as something to be afraid of, but as something to wrestle with. So, if you’re like me and you’re just trying to make sense of it all, here are a few things I’ve been turning over in my mind.
Is AI Creative, or Are We Just Fooling Ourselves?
Mollick suggests that AI can boost human creativity, which feels both exciting and slightly threatening. When you’re stuck, it can spit out ideas, concepts, and even full paragraphs that seem fresh and insightful. But the thing is, AI doesn’t “know” anything. It’s just really good at remixing data—like a DJ who’s never danced but somehow makes you want to move.
And that got me thinking: if individual human creativity is just a mashup of everything we’ve experienced, how different is that from what AI does? Sure, AI doesn’t feel inspiration or joy, but if its outputs inspire us, does that even matter?
I don’t know. But I’ll admit there’s something unsettling about its ability to fake it so well. Creativity has always felt like this sacred, uniquely human thing. What happens if AI starts doing it better—or at least faster?
And that got me thinking: if individual human creativity is just a mashup of everything we’ve experienced, how different is that from what AI does? Sure, AI doesn’t feel inspiration or joy, but if its outputs inspire us, does that even matter?
I don’t know. But I’ll admit there’s something unsettling about its ability to fake it so well. Creativity has always felt like this sacred, uniquely human thing. What happens if AI starts doing it better—or at least faster?
What Happens to Mastery?
Here’s where it gets tricky. Mollick makes a compelling case that AI is disrupting the way we learn and master skills. In the past and even today, mastery is often built through apprenticeship—slow, intentional learning, often under the watchful eye of someone further along the path. But now, AI can handle those repetitive, foundational tasks that apprentices used to do. What’s left for the learner?
I’m not saying we’re doomed, but he does raise a big question: If AI takes over the “grind,” what happens to the growth that is generally believed to come with it? Do we lose the chance to fumble our way toward expertise? Or do we find new paths to mastery that don’t involve sweeping the metaphorical shop floor?
I’m not saying we’re doomed, but he does raise a big question: If AI takes over the “grind,” what happens to the growth that is generally believed to come with it? Do we lose the chance to fumble our way toward expertise? Or do we find new paths to mastery that don’t involve sweeping the metaphorical shop floor?
How Do We Stay Human in All This?
Mollick offers four principles for working with AI, and I think they’re worth chewing on:
Always invite AI to the table. It might surprise you (in good ways and bad).
Be the human in the loop. AI is a tool; you’re still in charge.
Treat AI like a person (but tell it what kind of person it is). The results depend on who is accepting the task.
Assume this is the worst AI you’ll ever use. It’s only going to get better—or scarier, depending on your perspective ;-)
These rules aren’t answers—they’re more like guardrails for navigating an increasingly AI-driven world. But here’s the rub: staying human in the loop requires a whole lot of self-awareness. And if we’re not careful, it’s easy to let the machines inch closer to the driver’s seat.
Always invite AI to the table. It might surprise you (in good ways and bad).
Be the human in the loop. AI is a tool; you’re still in charge.
Treat AI like a person (but tell it what kind of person it is). The results depend on who is accepting the task.
Assume this is the worst AI you’ll ever use. It’s only going to get better—or scarier, depending on your perspective ;-)
These rules aren’t answers—they’re more like guardrails for navigating an increasingly AI-driven world. But here’s the rub: staying human in the loop requires a whole lot of self-awareness. And if we’re not careful, it’s easy to let the machines inch closer to the driver’s seat.
What Do We Teach the Next Generation?
This is the part that keeps me up at night. My kids, and probably yours too, are growing up in a world where AI isn’t some distant, sci-fi concept. It’s here. It’s in their classrooms, their games, their social feeds. The question isn’t whether they’ll use it—it’s how.
Mollick argues that we have a responsibility to teach them to be the human in the loop. That means equipping them not just with technical skills but with the ability to ask the big questions: What does it mean to create? To connect? To love? These aren’t new questions, but they feel more urgent now than ever.
Mollick argues that we have a responsibility to teach them to be the human in the loop. That means equipping them not just with technical skills but with the ability to ask the big questions: What does it mean to create? To connect? To love? These aren’t new questions, but they feel more urgent now than ever.
Back to Basics
Ultimately, our conversation brought us back to the ancient, enduring questions:
- What does it mean to create?
- What does it mean to learn?
- What does it mean to connect?
- What does it mean to love?
AI may be a game-changer, but it can’t teach us what it means to be human. That’s our job. And perhaps the best way to ensure a meaningful future is to keep asking those questions, , and holding space for them in our increasingly digitized world. These questions are our birthright - and one of the few enduring things that we can pass on to our children.
So, what do you think? Can we harness AI for good without losing what makes us human? Or are we all destined to become grumpy bored blobs, drowning in a sea of algorithm-generated content? Let’s talk about it.
Our Podcast Guest
Alex Watkins is a professor and program coordinator in the Technical Communications program at Austin Community College. She is a deep and innovative thinker, and unwavering, kind soul. I feel so lucky to know her! Related to this Episode
- Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick
- #BookClub Collection - check out our growing list of other books that we've enjoyed!
- Episode 107 - Hear a preteen perspective on the role of AI in Education - check out my convo with Ava.
Our Podcast
There's more where that came from :-) Check out other Noodles in the Sandbox episodes wherever you get your podcasts!
About the Author
Angela is passionate about reshaping the way kids learn and grow. As the co-founder of Acton Academy Northwest Austin, Angela is dedicated to fostering a learner-driven environment where curiosity thrives and students take ownership of their educational journeys. When not working with young heroes, they’re often exploring big ideas on education, parenting, and lifelong learning right here on the blog.Want to learn more about our innovative approach to education? Check out Acton Academy Northwest Austin to see how we’re redefining school for the next generation of curious thinkers and independent learners.