I have a challenge for you.
Next time you drive somewhere using GPS, put your car in park when you arrive. Now try to retrace your route without looking at your phone.
Go ahead. I’ll wait.
Can’t do it, can you?
Neither can most people. And that’s exactly the problem.
We’ve outsourced our memory to technology. And while that seems harmless enough with navigation, something far more dangerous is happening across our workplaces and homes.
We’re experiencing “brain rust.”
The Federal Aviation Administration discovered that pilots are becoming too dependent on automation systems. In emergencies, when those systems fail, they can’t react properly.
But here’s what’s fascinating: The pilots who successfully land planes during emergencies all share one trait. They never stopped practicing manual flying skills.
They didn’t let those muscles atrophy. And that choice saved lives.
The Real Risk We’re Facing
AI is remarkable. It can help us work faster, smarter, and more efficiently.
But there’s a critical line we’re crossing without realizing it.
We’re using AI to abdicate responsibility instead of using it to expedite our work.
Think about your own role. What skills are you letting AI handle completely? What capabilities are you no longer exercising because “AI can do it faster”?
Here’s the distinction that matters: It’s easier being an editor than an author.
AI should help you work faster. But you can’t skip the review. You can’t outsource the judgment. You can’t abdicate the responsibility.
Three Rules for Using AI Without Losing Yourself
Here’s what I tell my own children—and what I practice myself:
#1. Outsource tasks, not critical thinking
Let AI handle the repetitive stuff. The data entry. The first draft. The routine analysis. But the thinking? That’s yours.
#2. Keep your core skills sharp
Whatever you do for a living, don’t let AI do 100% of it. Keep practicing the fundamentals manually. Like those pilots who practice manual landings even when autopilot works perfectly.
#3. Always review the output
Be the editor, not the passive consumer. Question what AI gives you. Does it make sense? Does it align with your experience? Your judgment still matters.
Technology should amplify you, not replace you.
The pilots who save lives are the ones who stay sharp. The professionals who remain valuable are the ones who don’t outsource their brains.
So here’s my question: What skill are you letting rust? And what are you going to do about it?
Share your thoughts in the comments below, I’d love to hear what skills you’re intentionally keeping sharp.
Until next time,
Sol