Let me tell you a story that changed how I think about technology. And it started with the Federal Aviation Administration discovering something alarming about modern pilots.
The FAA studied the last decade of aviation emergencies.
They wanted to understand why some pilots successfully landed planes during crises while others couldn’t.
What they found was surprising. The pilots who saved lives had one thing in common:
They never stopped practicing manual flying skills. Even when autopilot worked perfectly, they chose to fly manually sometimes. They kept those skills alive. They stayed sharp on purpose.
And when the moment came, when everything went wrong and technology failed, those skills saved lives.
But lately, in emergencies, when those systems fail, pilots can’t react properly. They’ve become so dependent on the technology that their manual flying skills have weakened.
Today’s cockpits are extraordinary.
Autopilot handles most of the flying.
Advanced systems monitor everything.
The technology practically flies the plane for them.
Sounds perfect, right? Until something goes wrong.
Why This Matters to You (Even If You Never Fly a Plane)
Right now, artificial intelligence is being introduced into nearly every profession.
These tools promise to make our work faster and easier. And they deliver on that promise.
But here’s what nobody’s talking about: We’re all becoming pilots in automated cockpits.
We’re learning to rely on AI to write our emails, analyze our numbers, create our presentations, make our recommendations.
And we’re at risk of losing the very skills that make us valuable.
I’m not suggesting you avoid these tools. That would be like telling pilots to ignore autopilot, it’s impractical and unnecessary.
But I am asking you to think about this:
If the AI disappeared tomorrow, could you still do your job?
Not as quickly. Not as efficiently. But could you still do the essential work?
→ Can you still write a compelling message without AI drafting it?
→ Can you still analyze data and spot patterns without AI highlighting them?
→ Can you still solve problems creatively without AI generating solutions?
If you’re hesitating on any of these questions, you’re not alone. But that hesitation is worth paying attention to.
Stay Sharp on Purpose
Those pilots taught us something valuable: The best professionals don’t choose between technology and skill. They use both.
They use advanced systems and embrace automation, but they also protect their core capabilities.
Here’s how you can do the same:
1. Practice the fundamentals regularly. Even when AI can do it faster, do it yourself sometimes. Write that email. Run that analysis. Create that presentation. Keep those muscles strong.
2. Be the editor, not just the user. When AI gives you an answer, review it. Question it. Does it make sense? Would you have done it differently? Your judgment still matters.
3. Know when to take the controls. Some situations require your full expertise. Learn to recognize when AI should assist you versus when you need to be fully in command.
Technology isn’t going away. AI will only become more integrated into how we work.
But you get to decide how you use it.
I’d love to hear your thoughts. Reply to this email or share in the comments—how are you balancing technology with keeping your skills strong?
Until next time,
Sol