High-performance teams: optimally combining AI and Biological Intelligence

Many of us fear that Artificial Intelligence may undermine our jobs, purpose and humanity. Neurologist Dr Etienne van der Walt discusses the respective strengths of AI and Biological Intelligence or BI, AI’s increasing ability to show empathy, and existing differences between AI and BI. He advocates leading teams toward achieving the flow state and applying hybrid intelligence to achieve optimal outcomes.

If you are new to podcasts, simply click on the arrow to listen to Etienne and Mariette, or on the download button to download the conversation onto your device.

In ep. 208 of the weekly podcast series Calm, Clear and Helpful, thought leader and consultant neurologist Dr Etienne van der Walt clarifies

• what high-performance resilience entails

• why each new innovation is met with both excitement and trepidation

• the fact that AI is more than 30 years old

• AI’s strengths, which include pattern recognition, speedy processing and the tireless repetition of tasks

• AI’s (previously unexpected) ability to be empathic

• how compassion, affective empathy and cognitive empathy differ

• present differences between AI and BI, e.g. that

  *AI, as a linear processing system, requires a lot of energy while the human brain-body system is adept at conserving energy

  *human saliency: the brain-body system’s ability to determine which tasks are more important

• BI arising at a visceral level, involving, for instance, hormones that lead to various ways of connection

• how smaller and larger groups, relating to families or teams, can synchronise into flow

• flow state: the highest yield for the lowest energy

• how AI can practically contribute to flow in human teams by:

  *building knowledge

  *advancing understanding among team members

  *reducing the workload

• challenges regarding flow, e.g. when the use of AI fragments bonding and the sense of collective purpose  

• the importance of prompting Large Language Models correctly

• appointing AI officers or divisions.

Feel free to click on Home and browse this website for articles and podcasts on more fulfilling love relationships, easier parenting, and upping your emotional well-being.

Here Etienne explains what cognitive empathy is and why it’s important for leadership.

About Dr. Etienne van der Walt

Apart from being the CEO and co-founder of Neurozone®, consultant neurologist Dr. Etienne van der Walt is a thought leader, keynote speaker and master-class facilitator based in Cape Town.

He is also the founder of Amazing Brainz.

Email: neurozone@neurozone.com

Website: https://www.neurozone.com/

https://www.neurozone.com/thought-leadership

LinkedIn: Etienne van der Walt

About Neurozone®

Neurozone® blends neuroscience and analytics to build resilient people who don't burn out. By analysing neurobehaviors and giving personalised recommendations, Neurozone® boosts job satisfaction, well-being, and high performance, while simultaneously reducing absenteeism, turnover intentions, and burnout risk. They provide customised solutions and products, render consulting services, and provide organisational resilience as the cornerstone of organisational well-being.

Website: https://www.neurozone.com/

https://www.neurozone.com/thought-leadership

LinkedIn: Neurozone®

Also read psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi’s explanation of the flow state, and how challenge and skill can lead to ecstasy.

Original music by Mart-Marie Snyman

Thumbnail image: Pexels

Photograph of Dr Etienne van der Walt: supplied