Field Note: The Day AI Leaves People Behind—and How to Stay Ahead

A monthly reflection from AI Field Guide on where we’re headed—and what we might be missing.

The divide is already forming—not between AI and humans, but between those who are ready and those who aren’t.

There’s a version of the future where AI creates massive prosperity.

And there’s another where it deepens the economic gap between those with access, knowledge, and skills—and those without.

During a recent interview, Micha Kaufman—the founder and CEO of Fiverr—shared something that really stuck with me. He said:

He’s right. And it’s already happening.

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The Real Divide: Output, Opportunity, and Fear

AI is quickly becoming the ultimate force multiplier.

It boosts productivity, speed, and output in ways we’re only beginning to understand.

The problem? Not everyone has the tools—or the confidence—to use it.

Two CEOs on a panel shared that many of their employees were afraid. Not of learning something new—but of being replaced.

They’re already using AI every day and encouraging their teams to do the same, but fear and distrust are slowing adoption.

As a leader, this is a fork-in-the-road moment.

You can wait and see what happens…

Or you can make sure your team doesn’t get left behind.

Critical Thinking Is the Skill of the Century

Vint Cerf, one of the founding fathers of the Internet, put it plainly:

He wasn’t just talking about “fake news” and “alternative facts”, which he considers extremely toxic (as do I).

In the AI era, critical thinking becomes business survival—for individuals and for organizations.

Employees need to learn how to:

• Evaluate AI-generated content

• Verify sources

• Know when to trust a model—and when to ask better questions

The danger isn’t just job loss.

It’s the growing gap in digital discernment—the ability to make sense of a world where information is infinite, but wisdom is not.

Build Smarter by Investing in Your People

Here’s the good news: your people are your edge.

The best companies won’t be the ones with the most AI—they’ll be the ones with the most empowered humans using it well.

Want a resilient, innovative team? Then invest in giving them the confidence to use AI—not fear it.

That starts with upskilling.

3 Practical Ways to Start Closing the Gap

If you’re leading a business, here’s how to start building a team that’s not just AI-aware—but AI-ready:

1. Host an AI Demo Day

Let employees try tools like ChatGPT, Claude, or image generators like MidJourney in a low-stakes, curiosity-driven session.

Create a safe space to explore.

2. Build an Internal AI Champions Group

Identify curious team members and give them time each week to test tools and report back what works in your workflows.

They become the bridge between strategy and operations.

3. Tie AI to the Mission

Show how AI can help employees do more of what matters—whether that’s reducing admin tasks, improving service, or unlocking new ideas.

Make it human. Make it real.

The Future Will Be Human + AI—Or It Won’t Work

This isn’t about racing to adopt every tool.

It’s about avoiding a future where only the few know how to thrive—and everyone else is just trying to hang on.

Closing the skills gap isn’t charity. It’s strategy.

And it starts with a simple question:

Are you preparing your people to keep up with the future you’re building?

Know a team leader or business owner who needs to hear this?

Share this Field Note with them—and help close the gap before it becomes a fault line.