AI Isn’t the Threat—It’s the Edge

05/07/2025

A lot of people I talk to seem genuinely afraid of AI. I get it—there’s this uneasy, creeping fear that something huge is moving faster than we can control. The fear that it’s going to replace jobs, erase creativity, and eventually out-think the very people who created it. And to be honest, those fears aren’t totally unfounded. But on a real, day-to-day level? I don’t see AI as a threat. I see it as a major asset. An advantage. A multiplier for anyone willing to stop resisting and start integrating.

For me, AI has felt more like fuel than friction. I’ve always been curious—ever since I was a kid flipping through books that showed cutaways of buildings and airplanes and tanks. I wanted to see how everything worked behind the surface: where the plumbing went, how the engines connected, what pieces made up the whole. That curiosity never left. AI gives me that same thrill. It lets me break down ideas, systems, and possibilities faster than I’ve ever been able to do. It’s like finally having a tool that works at the speed of my mind.

I don’t fear it. I love it. I can explore any idea in seconds, pressure-test my thinking, create structure around chaos. I can get to clarity ten times faster than before. It helps me go deeper, not shallower. It sharpens my thinking, challenges my assumptions, and helps me build faster. And when used right, it still leaves the most important part of the process in my hands: judgment.

That’s the part people miss. AI doesn’t replace your voice—it reflects it. You still have to guide it, shape it, and decide what’s aligned. That’s not passive—that’s authorship. That’s leadership. The people who say “that’s not your voice” are confusing the tool for the creator. If I edit it, refine it, stand behind it—then yes, it’s mine. AI doesn’t invent your taste. It responds to it. And if you don’t have clarity on who you are or what you value, that’s not an AI problem. That’s a leadership one.

Now, I fully understand the fear many creatives feel. This tech is moving fast—maybe faster than we’d like. And yes, in many ways, the monster has grown beyond our ability to perfectly control it. But that doesn’t mean you ignore it. It means you evolve. We’ve always heard adapt or die—and while that might sound dramatic, I think we’re squarely at that point. Complaining isn’t going to slow it down. Boycotting won’t preserve your relevance. Whether you like it or not, this is happening. You either jump in and learn how to swim—or you watch others build the future without you.

This isn’t a threat to your existence. It’s a challenge to your comfort zone.

According to McKinsey’s 2024 report, nearly 60% of companies adopting generative AI have already reported tangible returns on efficiency and output. Meanwhile, most individuals haven’t even scratched the surface. Why? Because they’re waiting for permission. Or waiting for it to feel “safe.” But the most dangerous mindset in a moment like this isn’t recklessness—it’s hesitation.

We will never feel fully comfortable with what we don’t understand—especially when it threatens our identity, our expertise, or our routines. But real leadership is built on stepping into that discomfort. It’s about staying curious when others retreat. And it’s about moving first—not perfectly, but early enough to stay ahead of the curve.

AI isn’t going to do the work for you. It’s not a shortcut. It’s a tool. A resource. A force multiplier that makes great thinkers faster and great leaders more capable. But only if they’re willing to let go of outdated definitions of authorship, control, and comfort.

No, AI isn’t the threat. Comfort is.

My thoughts, created with AI.

-Julien Diaz