& The Words: Reimagining Work and our Relationship with AI; Human + Machine

In my recent work on the AI Pathfinder I logically connected Jeremy Utley's framing on AI Posture and Toffler’s "Energy Slaves"

I’ve frequently returned to one of the definitive texts for the AI era: @Paul Daugherty and H. James Wilson’s Human + Machine: Reimagining Work in the Age of AI.

The core of their argument is that AI’s greatest value is not in replacing humans, but in the "Missing Middle"—the space where humans and machines collaborate to achieve superhuman results.

The "Missing Middle" Framework

Daugherty and Wilson identify six new types of roles that emerge in this collaborative space. I see these as the job descriptions for the "Amplified Man":

Humans Helping Machines (The Teachers):

  • Trainers: Teaching AI systems how to perform, from translation nuances to algorithmic soul.

  • Explainers: Bridging the gap between complex outputs and non-technical stakeholders—a core skill for the modern Solution Engineer.

  • Sustainers: Ensuring AI systems remain productive, legal, and ethical (the "Guardians").

Machines Helping Humans (The Amplifiers):

  • Amplification: Giving us "superpowers" to see patterns in data that were previously invisible (Cognitive Mirroring).

  • Interaction: Using interfaces like Copilot or Gemini to facilitate natural human communication.

  • Embodiment: AI physically manifesting through sensors and robotics to extend our reach.

The MELDS Principles: A Leader's Checklist

For leaders in Thailand and across ASEAN looking to move from "Doing" to "Being" Digital, Daugherty offers the MELDS framework:

  1. Mindset: Shifting from "AI as a tool" to "AI as a partner."

  2. Experimental: Being willing to "try it on" and fail fast (the "Say Yes" philosophy).

  3. Leadership: Directing the purpose and ethical application of these new capabilities.

  4. Data: Treating data not just as a record, but as the fuel for the "Atlas Reasoning Engine."

  5. Skills: Committing to continuous re-skilling (or hitting the "Trail" again).

My Key Takeaway: The Cognitive Mirror

While Daugherty focuses on the business process, I believe the personal application is where the magic happens. When you use CustomGPTs, Gemini Gems, or Copilot Notebooks as your "Missing Middle" partners, you aren't just completing a task; you are refining your own intellectual "Athleticism."

As @Jeremy Utley reminds us, the goal is to avoid the "vending machine" and embrace the "sparring partner."


or wherever you get your books.

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