Verified by 
Artificial Intelligence
4 Assets We Can Build for Agency Amid AI
With the rise of AI, our tools of agency matter more than ever.
Posted February 20, 2025 Reviewed by Gary Drevitch
Key points
- The first step for hybrid empowerment is adopting a candid attitude toward AI, and toward ourselves.
- Double alignment encompasses the harmonization of our aspirations and actions, aspirations and algorithms.
- Aspiration drives us to use AI in ways that align with a vision of a more inclusive and equitable society.
Imagine waking up to a world where every decision, big or small, is influenced by a machine. The coffee you drink, the news you read, even the people you meet—all are subtly curated by algorithms. It sounds like science fiction, but this reality is closer than you might think. As AI continues to infiltrate our daily lives, the question isn’t just how smart our machines are becoming but how empowered we are in the face of this relentless technological tide.
Human empowerment in the age of AI isn’t merely a safeguard against dystopia; it’s a strategic necessity. If we fail to stay in control, we risk becoming passive participants in a world increasingly shaped by machines. Understanding how to harness AI while preserving our autonomy is not just important—it’s imperative. The 4 A’s—Attitude, Approach, Ability, and Aspiration—provide a roadmap for navigating this complex landscape, ensuring that we, not the machines, remain in charge of our destinies.
The Double-Edged Sword of AI
AI’s potential is undeniable, yet its application is fraught with complexities. For example, AI-driven tools used in hiring processes can inadvertently perpetuate biases present in the training data, leading to discriminatory outcomes. Similarly, in healthcare, AI can assist in diagnosing diseases more quickly, but it can also overlook nuances that a human practitioner might catch. These examples highlight the dual nature of AI: It can either enhance human capabilities or reinforce existing inequalities, depending on how it is used.
Human empowerment involves understanding this duality and making informed decisions about how AI is integrated into our lives. It’s about ensuring that the technology we create and use reflects the diversity, ethics, and humanity we value.
Practical Power: 4 Assets to Curate Now
To navigate the complexities of AI, consider the 4 A’s Asset framework: Attitude, Approach, Ability, and Aspiration. This set of tools offers a practical way to stay empowered and ensure that AI serves us, not vice versa.
1. Attitude: AI as a Complement, Not a Replacement. The first step for hybrid empowerment is adopting a candid attitude toward AI, and toward ourselves. Rather than seeing AI as a replacement for human intelligence, we can shift our perspective to view it as a complement. An open mindset is more pragmatic and beneficial because it positions AI as a tool that enhances our decision-making, creativity, and problem-solving instead of competing with it. For instance, AI can analyze vast datasets in fields like medicine to provide insights, but the final decisions should still be guided by human expertise.
2. Approach: Achieving Double Alignment. A successful approach to integrating AI involves what can be called double alignment. First, align your personal values and the aspirations that flow from them with your actions; this happens offline through thoughtful reflection and ethical consideration. Second, ensure that the algorithms that populate your platforms are aligned with your aspirations; this is the online component. This double alignment is essential for creating AI systems that function well and embody the values we strive to uphold. That dynamic starts offline, with no tech.
For example, a company focused on inclusivity should ensure that its AI recruitment tools do not unintentionally screen out candidates from diverse backgrounds. This requires carefully reviewing the underlying data and the algorithmic processes.
3. Ability: Developing Double Literacy. Staying empowered in an AI-driven world requires double literacy: understanding natural intelligence (our cognitive and emotional abilities) and artificial intelligence (how AI systems function). This dual knowledge allows us to critically evaluate AI’s role in various contexts and use it effectively without overly relying on it.
For example, a business leader who understands both the nuances of human behavior and the capabilities of AI can design better products that meet real human needs while leveraging AI’s strengths. This holistic literacy ensures that technology enhances, rather than diminishes, human potential.
4. Aspiration: Building a More Inclusive Future. Finally, aspiration drives us to use AI in ways that align with a vision of a more inclusive and equitable society. This means leveraging AI not just for efficiency or profit but to create opportunities for everyone, especially those who might otherwise be marginalized by technological advances.
For instance, AI can improve access to education in underserved areas by providing personalized learning experiences that cater to individual needs. This approach ensures that AI’s benefits are shared broadly and contribute to a society in which everyone can fulfill their potential.
Agency Amid AI
The rapid advancement of AI presents both opportunities and challenges. We can remain the drivers of this new era by adopting the right attitude. If we align our aspirations and algorithms while developing a holistic understanding of the multidimensional capacities that our natural and artificial intelligences entail, we will be on a winning team. Provided that we ground these three assets with the ambition of using our expanding equipment for the greater good.
By embracing the 4 A’s, we equip ourselves to navigate the AI landscape deliberately and confidently, ensuring that technology enhances our lives and reflects the best of our humanity.
