IRREPLACEABLE: The Art of Standing Out in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

by Pascal Bornet

Overview

AI and automation are reshaping our world at an unprecedented speed, making traditional skills obsolete and opening new doors of opportunity. Those who adapt and develop unique, irreplaceable abilities will thrive. What is your plan to remain indispensable, protect your business, and safeguard your humanity in this AI-driven world?

Pascal Bornet—award-winning AI expert, former McKinsey executive, and Top Voice in Technology with over 1 million LinkedIn followers—draws on 20 years of pioneering research to introduce the Three Competencies of the Future. These crucial abilities unlock the secrets of thriving in an AI-driven world while amplifying our uniquely human qualities.

In this book, you will discover practical strategies to:

• Better understand AI, where it’s going, and what you need to look out for to survive and thrive.
• Avoid falling into the "AI Obesity" trap and its devastating consequences for you and your business.
• Elevate your career by learning how to leverage AI to your advantage and not lose your job to automation.
• Master the "Humics"—uniquely human abilities that AI can NEVER replicate—to create powerful human-AI synergies for you and your company.
• Scale your business into a powerhouse of efficiency, innovation, and trust.

Whether you're future-proofing your career, steering your organization through disruption, or preparing your children for tomorrow, IRREPLACEABLE offers a universal and comprehensive framework.

AI is not the destination; it's the vehicle that takes us to a more human future. This book is your GPS.

Stand out. Become IRREPLACEABLE.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781394264407
Publisher:	Wiley
Publication date:	09/11/2024
Pages:	304
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.40(d)

About the Author

PASCAL BORNET is an award-winning expert, author, and keynote speaker on artificial intelligence (AI) and automation. Renowned for his innovative research on the human-AI frontier, over the last 20 years as a senior executive for McKinsey & Company and EY, he has helped hundreds of organizations worldwide to successfully integrate AI. His unique IRREPLACEABLE framework empowers individuals and businesses to thrive in the age of AI while retaining their deeply human essence.

Table of Contents

Preface xiii

Introduction 1

You Have a Choice to Make 1

Your IRREPLACEABLE Journey 3

How This Book Is Organized 4

Part I The IRREPLACEABLE Imperative 7

Chapter 1 Don’t Believe All You Hear About AI! 9

Adapting to AI’s Influence 9

The Specificities of AI 14

AI in Society and Business 18

The Future with AI: Our Kids and Our Humanity 21

Chapter 2 The Essence of Being IRREPLACEABLE 25

Introducing the IRREPLACEABLE Concept 25

Decoding the IRREPLACEABLE Concept 28

The IRREPLACEABLE Concept for Companies 29

Chapter 3 The Urgency to Become IRREPLACEABLE 33

Projecting into an AI-Dominated Future 33

IRREPLACEABLE versus Replaceable: A Detailed Analysis 35

Our IRREPLACEABLE Humanity 39

The IRREPLACEABLE Framework 45

Part II Building IRREPLACEABLE Skills 51

Chapter 4 Preparing for the AI Takeover 53

How AI Will Take Away Your Job 53

Shift Your Focus from Jobs to Skills 56

Chapter 5 Creating a Symbiosis with AI 59

Breaking Misconceptions About Technical Skills 60

Building a Symbiosis with AI 64

Identifying the Capabilities Complementary to AI 67

How the Humics Boost Each Other 71

Chapter 6 Leveraging the Humics to Build Skills 73

Prioritizing the Development of the Humics Over Skills 73

Future Evolution of Skills 75

Building New Skills by Leveraging Your Humics 75

Chapter 7 Bringing Your Humics to a Whole New Level 87

Become Ultra-Creative 87

Sharpen Your Critical Thinking 92

Deepen Your Social Abilities 95

Part III Becoming IRREPLACEABLE at Work 99

Chapter 8 Augmenting Yourself with AI at Work 101

A Three-Phase Approach to Augment Yourself with AI 101

Phase 1: Build an AI Mindset 102

Phase 2: Maintain AI Literacy 106

Phase 3: Strategically Implement AI 108

Chapter 9 Fostering Resilience and Adaptability in a Rapidly Evolving World 121

The Imperative of Resilience and Adaptability 121

The Art of Building Resilience 123

The Craft of Enhancing Adaptability 127

Chapter 10 The Future of Work Is…No Work? 133

Work Reimagined: Beyond the 9 to 5 133

The Current World of Work Sucks! 135

Envisioning a World Without Work 137

Part IV Raising IRREPLACEABLE Kids and Protecting Yourself 141

Chapter 11 Educating Future-Proof Minds in the Age of AI 143

Raising Children to Thrive with AI 143

Teaching Our Kids How to Relearn 147

Helping Our Kids to Grow with AI 151

Chapter 12 Navigating AI Distractions 155

The Rise of AI-Induced Distractions 155

The Roots of AI Distractions 157

Strategies to Mitigate AI Distractions 159

Chapter 13 Overcoming AI-Generated Addictions 163

The Addiction Matrix: AI, Gaming, and Social Media 163

The Source of AI Addictions 165

Personal Triumphs over Tech Addiction 168

Chapter 14 Managing Your Data Effectively and Using AI Ethically 175

Managing Data the Right Way 175

Guarding Against AI-Driven Misinformation 180

Humanizing AI: Our Collective Responsibility 181

Part V Leading IRREPLACEABLE Companies 187

Chapter 15 Your Business Needs to Be IRREPLACEABLE 189

The Issue with Businesses That Are Not IRREPLACEABLE 189

Defining IRREPLACEABLE Businesses 192

The Road Map to Be an IRREPLACEABLE Business 198

Chapter 16 Making Your Company AI-Ready 203

Augmenting Your Business with AI 203

Fostering Trust with Responsible AI 211

Eliminating Biases 212

Clarifying AI Through Explainability 217

Safeguarding Privacy 220

Protecting Trust with Safe AI 222

Chapter 17 Shifting to a Human-Ready Business 225

Defining a Human-Ready Business 225

Partnering with AI on Critical Thinking, Creativity, and Social Abilities 229

Chapter 18 Making Your Business Change-Ready 237

Cultivating Organizational Resilience 237

The Path to Adaptive Mastery 240

Part VI Implementing an Action Plan 249

Chapter 19 Your Action Plan 251

The First Week 251

The First Month 252

The First Three Months 253

Moving Forward 254

Summary of the Key Actions You’ve Learned in the Book 254

Chapter 20 Final Words 261

Notes 265

Acknowledgments 271

About the Author 273

Index 275

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"If you think AI is just about robots and algorithms, think again. IRREPLACEABLE will shatter your assumptions and challenge you to reimagine what it means to be human in a machine age."
—Dr. Marshall Goldsmith, Thinkers50 #1 Executive Coach and New York Times bestselling author of The Earned Life, Triggers, and What Got You Here Won't Get You There

"IRREPLACEABLE is addressing the most important question of our time: how do we keep our humanity front and center in an AI-dominated world? I challenge you to find a book more timely and relevant!"
—Klaus Schwab, Founder and Executive Chairman of the World Economic Forum

"IRREPLACEABLE is a vital guide to thinking differently and working confidently in tandem with AI. Pascal Bornet's insights and strategies are essential to succeed with customers and colleagues, in your community and career."
—Ron Kaufman, New York Times bestselling author of Uplifting Service

In a world obsessed with the power of AI, 'Irreplaceable' dares to ask the question: what makes us human? The answer may surprise you.
—Dr Luc Julia, Co-Founder of Apple Siri

"One of the most important books of our times!
—Bernard Marr, Futurist, Internationally Best-selling Author

"A very practical guide to strengthening our humanity with AI."
—Nir Eyal, Bestselling Author of Hooked and Indistractable

"Both a wake-up call and a practical guide to rediscover what makes us truly human in the age of AI."
—Gerd Leonhard, Futurist & Humanist

"I've always believed that AI will enhance human capabilities rather than replace them. This excellent book provides a roadmap for individuals and organizations to become effective partners with smart machines. Follow its advice, and you'll be well-equipped for the present and the future."
—Thomas H. Davenport, Distinguished Professor, Babson College. Author of Only Humans Need Apply, Working with AI, and All In on AI

"IRREPLACEABLE challenges us to confront the ultimate dilemmas: who are we, and what is our purpose in a world transformed by AI? The answers may just change your life."
—Professor Jochen Wirtz, Vice Dean MBA Programmes, National University of Singapore