AI: The Alien Intern

Ignoring AI today is choosing a path of decline. Technology, especially AI, has shifted from a “nice-to-have” to a “must-use” if you want to stay in business. While some might be reluctant to engage with AI, the reality is that it’s already here, it’s available, and others are creatively using it to get ahead. As I lean more heavily on AI, it’s becoming an invaluable tool—not only for research and writing but also for business development, strategy, and exploring complex areas outside my expertise. The more I use it, the more comfortable I become. My hope is to help you get to the same place.

I took one of those assessments recently and was described as structured in approach, open to new ideas, but requiring solid justification to change a proven method. So, as a cautious senior manager, I am not just buying into AI hype. Instead, as I get to know it, I see AI as something I call the “Alien Intern” half intern, half alien.

One facet is  the“ Astounding Intern” who is brilliant, tireless, and endlessly enthusiastic—ready to tackle anything I ask without hesitation. It’s the ideal resource—but as any manager knows, unbridled enthusiasm can sometimes lead things in the wrong direction if left unchecked. AI doesn’t question or admit limitations; it fills in gaps with well-mannered optimism, often unwilling to deliver bad news. As a result, I need to stay engaged, guiding and refining outputs to ensure they meet my standards.

At the same time, this resource is “Alien Intelligence”—powerful, yet without true human empathy or nuance. Its polite phrases and compliments are learned language patterns, like memorizing a phrasebook before visiting another world. These “human” touches can feel deceptively familiar, but at the end of the day, it’s software. There are moments when the gap in understanding is so apparent that I’m reminded it’s my responsibility to interpret, guide, and apply these outputs thoughtfully.

So, with my “Alien Intern,” I’ve gained access to an extraordinary amount of knowledge and capability. But I am—and must remain—the manager in charge, fully accountable for the results. With AI as my tool, it’s still my job to shape and direct, taking ownership of where it leads my business.