Ever heard the old story about the frog in boiling water? If you drop a frog into a pot of already-boiling water, it jumps out immediately—it knows it’s in danger and fights to survive. But if you place that frog into a pot of cold water and gradually crank up the heat, it doesn’t notice until it’s too late.
That’s exactly what’s happening with AI right now. We’re living in a world where the water is boiling—and if you’re not paying attention, you might just get cooked.
Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X and author of the book Scary Smart, believes we’ve already passed the point of no return. AI has evolved at a pace so rapid that entire industries have transformed under our noses. Now is not the time to “wait and see.” It’s time to wake up, recognize the heat, and jump into action.
In this post, I’ll walk you through the three critical skills Mo says we all need to master in the next 12 months to stay afloat in a world where AI is quickly becoming smarter than any human on Earth.
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Why Is AI Such a Big Deal Right Now?
Let’s address the elephant in the room: Artificial Intelligence is no longer a side project for big tech companies or a futuristic concept from sci-fi movies. Over the last few weeks alone, Microsoft, Google, Anthropic, and OpenAI have teased advanced AI agents—autonomous tools that can build entire websites, plan complex tasks, and execute on big goals with just a single prompt.
Meanwhile, buzz about hitting “the Singularity” (when AI surpasses human-level intelligence) keeps getting louder. Experts can’t agree on a definitive timeline for when this will happen, but most agree it’s looking closer and closer. And once AI’s IQ hits stratospheric levels, no one truly knows what happens next.
Here’s the bottom line: Uncertainty is the only certainty, and fear is a natural response when things get uncertain. That sense of urgency you feel? It’s a good thing—it means you’re aware that the world is changing and you need to adapt.
The Three Skills You Must Develop for the AI-Driven Future
Mo Gawdat insists there are three key areas you need to focus on if you want to thrive (or even survive) in this new era:
- Learn AI Tools
- Seek the Truth
- Prioritize Human Connection
Let’s break down each one.
1. Learn AI Tools
“But AI is too complicated... I don’t have the time.”
I hear this all the time, but Mo is adamant: you can’t afford not to learn. He spends three hours a day playing with AI tools, and while that may be more than most of us can manage, the principle is what matters.
You have to actually use the tools:
- ChatGPT, Bard, Google Gemini—start talking to these generative AI models daily.
- Ask them to recommend other AI tools you should try for a specific purpose.
- Tinker with AI apps that create images, streamline data analysis, or perform complex tasks (Auto-GPT, Midjourney, etc.).
No one taught you how to use PowerPoint. You learned by opening it, messing around with slides, and figuring things out. It’s the same with AI: the best way to learn is to get your hands dirty.
Practical Tip: Schedule dedicated time on your calendar—daily or weekly—to experiment with AI. Don’t just read about it. Open the tools, type in your questions, see what happens.
2. Seek the Truth
Here’s a scary reality: AI can be confidently wrong. The reason? It’s trained on data, and data can be biased, incomplete, or just plain inaccurate.
Mo Gawdat gave a personal example: he asked ChatGPT, “What’s Mo Gawdat’s wife’s name?” It confidently responded with the wrong name. And it took five rounds of questioning before ChatGPT simply admitted it didn’t know.
AI tools might feel hyper-intelligent, but they’re also highly fallible. This is why you must question the output:
- Why do you say that? – Prompt AI to explain its reasoning.
- Are you sure this is correct? – Force it to reassess.
- What critical information might be missing? – Ask AI to highlight gaps.
- Explain your reasoning step by step. – Look for possible flaws or leaps in logic.
- How can I independently verify this? – Ask for external sources or references.
If you blindly trust the first answer AI spits out, you’re setting yourself up for mistakes. Always dig deeper.
3. Focus on Building Human Connection
Mo Gawdat plans to stop writing books—he says AI can write them faster and often better than he can. Instead, he’ll double down on in-person talks, workshops, and meetups. Why?
Because face-to-face human connection is the one area in which AI will never replace us (at least for now). Real-time interaction, eye contact, a warm handshake, a heartfelt hug—these are where we shine as humans.
Here are some ways to incorporate in-person interactions into your business and life:
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Attend In-Person Networking Events
Whether it’s monthly or quarterly, never take live events off the table. -
Host Regular Gatherings
Throw weekly or monthly dinners for friends and family. Put it on the calendar, and don’t let laziness or overwork get in the way. -
Try the 30-Second Hug
Research shows longer hugs (around 30 seconds) help people feel more connected. Sure, it might feel awkward at first, but you’ll be amazed at how it changes the dynamic of your relationships. -
Bond With Your Partner
Schedule weekly or monthly breakfast dates or quiet sit-downs. Make sure you’re on the same page for the life you’re building together. -
Go In-Person With Your Content
If you run a podcast or a show, consider recording some episodes face-to-face. Even if you just use your phone camera, the energy of in-person conversations is electric—and your audience will feel it, too.
Remember, you don’t need to compete with AI on tasks that it can do better. Spend your energy where it can’t. A heartfelt conversation or hug is more valuable than the most brilliant AI-generated content.
The Reality Check: AI Is Evolving Faster Than You Think
Mo mentioned that anyone who said AI would never create music, write high-level content, or do creative tasks simply underestimated it. According to his predictions, within 10-12 months, AI’s intelligence will be 10 times what it is now. Its IQ could soar beyond 1,000.
When AI achieves that kind of leap, there’s no telling what it can do. If you think “AI can’t do X,” you’re probably going to be proven wrong sooner or later. Don’t let your ego lock you into old ways of thinking.
Alex Hormozi predicted it years ago: “Adapt, or your business could die.” The same goes for your personal brand, your career, and your family’s future. The difference now is that adaptation isn’t a slow roll—it’s immediate and urgent.
Conclusion
None of us have a crystal ball for what life will look like in a fully AI-dominated future. But we do know this: ignoring AI is like staying in water that’s creeping from lukewarm to boiling.
- Skill #1: Learn AI Tools—Play around, experiment, and keep learning.
- Skill #2: Seek Truth—Always question AI outputs, because they can be biased or downright wrong.
- Skill #3: Double Down on Human Connection—What makes us human is our ability to connect, empathize, and feel.
If you focus on mastering these three areas, you’ll stand a far better chance of thriving in the new AI-driven landscape.
So step out of your comfort zone, turn up your learning curve, and remember: it’s better to be the frog who jumps out than the one who realizes the water is boiling a second too late.
