The Power of 100: Reflections on Human Intelligence, AI, and Beyond

Greetings readers! I was looking at my dashboard and just realized. This is a milestone moment for the Human Intelligence newsletter, being my 100th blog under this series!

A rose by any other name would be just as sweet, said Shakespeare. But that is not the same thing with numbers, right? No one remembers how many 90s were scored by the likes of Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli. While 100 is just a number above 99, the feeling of accomplishment is several times larger, right? It is time again to look back at this journey and what we have been covering since blog 50.

There are people who have been a part of this journey with me since the very beginning. And there are many who have joined midway. I take this opportunity to thank you all profusely for liking my content and engaging with it regularly.

For those who are unaware of the genesis of Human Intelligence, I thought about this idea in the COVID period, when we were trying to really comprehend how artificial intelligence would take over our lives. The general consensus has been that COVID-19 could have accelerated this shift by at least 5-10 years.

A lot of people have taken to writing on AI, the various tools and how they can help you fast track your career in different ways. But my thinking behind focusing on human intelligence instead was this: If AI is indeed going to do a lot of things that humans already do, then what will be left for the latter to achieve? All the knowledge that schools provide will potentially be available at the click of a button in the near future. It already is, but I mean it will keep getting better and better.

The future of human endeavor must shift from mere knowledge acquisition to strategic application. As one expert aptly noted: if your job role can be distilled into an algorithm, AI can and will replace you. The focus is no longer on competing with AI—many professionals have already come to this realization. Instead, the key to staying relevant is leveraging AI to enhance your skillset, boosting efficiency, and driving greater value. By integrating AI into your workflow, you not only become more competent but also position yourself as a vital asset in an increasingly tech-driven economy.

Therefore my newsletter series has one focus in mind – human potential needs to enhance manifold to come to terms with the AI-driven revolution. And as you all would well know, maximizing human potential has been our collective endeavour since we arrived on this planet. Even as hunter gatherers, humans were better than the best predators of that time. And when we discovered agriculture (we will never know who really did that and how!) and learned to settle into ‘civilisations’, humans truly changed the game, and not for the first time.

Throughout history, tools and technology have been used to enhance human capabilities, but AI is a different beast altogether—it represents not just an evolution, but a revolution with the potential to fundamentally reshape humanity's future. This is why the age of AI presents both a profound challenge and an extraordinary opportunity.

To thrive in this new landscape, humans need to harness not just their intellectual capacity, but the full spectrum of their "quotients"—their unique competitive edge over machines. It's not enough to rely on IQ alone. Emotional intelligence (EQ), for instance, is what allows humans to empathize, understand nuanced social contexts, and lead with compassion—qualities AI struggles to replicate. Spiritual intelligence (SQ) taps into our ability to find deeper meaning, purpose, and ethical grounding, helping us make decisions that align with long-term human welfare and also carries us through the ups and downs of life. Creativity, or the "creativity quotient" (CQ), remains an area where humans excel, turning abstract ideas into groundbreaking innovations in ways AI can only mimic through data. In the age of AI, I also believe that more leaders will have to emerge. As AI transforms industries, reshapes economies, and alters job roles, the need for human leaders who can steer this change with wisdom, empathy, and foresight is more urgent than ever.

Understanding and mastering these quotients is not just a strategic advantage but a necessity to unlock the full potential of human-AI collaboration. While AI may handle repetitive tasks and data-driven decisions with speed and accuracy, it is these human "superpowers" that will allow us to shape and direct AI’s impact on our world—creating better outcomes, more meaningful work, and a future where technology enhances, rather than diminishes, the human experience.

To leverage these powers, we first need to understand them. This is the key to unlocking a future where AI becomes an extension of human capabilities, rather than a competitor. In the AI age, our true strength lies not in what machines can do, but in how we amplify what humans do best. That is the focus of my newsletter, to cover a range of topics in this realm where I put in expert perspectives and also share my viewpoint.

Interestingly, I will be most willing to admit that my articles are AI augmented too now, best representing what the future of human-AI collaboration will look like. And as AI gets better, humans should logically get better too.

So what have we done between blogs 51-100, here is a look back at some of the most interesting topics we have covered in this period. Do check them out if you have missed any of them:

Elephant-headed God: How spirituality vanquishes our demons!

Learnings from the values and teachings represented by our beloved elephant-headed god Ganesha. Did you know? Lord Ganesha is believed to be the lord of the base or Muladhaar Chakra. It represents the earth element, and is associated with survival, security, grounding and the physical body.

Performers vs Leaders: Cricket wisdom for the corporate pitch

What do the contrasting leadership styles of Sachin Tendulkar, the 'God of cricket,' and the charismatic Sourav Ganguly teach us – the enigmatic contrast between performers and leaders. Explore this latest article under the Human Intelligence Newsletter to uncover the secrets behind great performers and great leaders. Are you a boundary-hitting performer, a charismatic captain, or both?

Overclocking India: The 70-hr work week challenge!

N. R. Narayana Murthy's remarks on working 70 hours a week sparked a wildfire of opinions, discussions, and questions. Is it the path to success or an unattainable dream? Is the country ready for it?

Diwali musings: The eternal light of Ramayana

Here I explore the timeless message of Dharma that we get from Lord Ram’s life. interpretations and debates. Lord Ram's story is deeply ingrained in our hearts, prompting diverse Yet, amidst the varied viewpoints, the essence lies in upholding our highest values. As we discuss the tenets of Dharma, let's remember the four purusharthas – Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha – shaping a purposeful life journey.And Happy Diwali to all of you in advance.

East or west, we are all Circadian when it comes to health!

The importance of Circadian rhythms and why we need to align our life to them to ensure good health and well being. If your body could tell stories, it would narrate a cosmic dance within—millions of processes orchestrating a symphony of life. Understanding these miraculous functions is akin to tuning into the controls of car, paving the way for a harmonious and balanced existence.

Evolution 4.0: Dawn of the Age of Centenarians

You aspire to be a lot of things, but is being a centenarian one of them? Let's commit ourselves to live this truism that age is just a number, but it all depends on how you take it! With the right mindset, habits, and a sprinkle of humor, you can defy the odds and embrace the journey towards a century of life and beyond!  

Brain trip or 'scientific enlightenment'? Demystifying Magic Mushrooms

Could magic mushrooms be the key to unlocking the mysteries of the mind? ️ Are they the Rosetta Stone that translates the gibberish of our subconscious into profound insights? Or are they simply a recipe for a bad trip with dancing furniture and existential dread? 

Beyond time, space & causation: The Vedantic theory of evolution

The profound dialogue between science and spirituality, unraveling the timeless mystery of existence itself. Explore the evolutionary wonders of our universe, guided by the visionary minds of Charles Darwin and Stephen Hawking. Witness how their inquiries intertwine with spiritual philosophies, sparking a transformative dialogue between science and spirituality.

Donuts vs broccoli: What's your willpower threshold?

In this blog post, we dive deep into the fascinating world of willpower that can help us overcome our many weaknesses (donuts included) and its surprising source - the brain!

Ultimate Career Mantra: Be Patient, Not 'a Patient'!

This blog is inspired by an insightful story from Osho and the timeless wisdom of Lao Tzu. It discusses some timeless secrets to a long and fulfilling career, minus the heartbreaking burnouts.

The Perplexing Puzzle oThe Perplexing Puzzle of the Suicidal Robot: An Enigmatic 21st Century Mystery

In a recent and thought-provoking incident at the Gumy City Council Building, South Korea, a Robot Supervisor met a tragic end at the bottom of a stairwell, which people suspect as overwork due to suicide. This blog is a fun-filled exploration of what it would look like to have human-like robots (which, by the way, are impossible).

The Samkhya argument: Matter does not vanish, and neither do we!

This blog explores evolution through the lens of Samkhya philosophy, where all the universe is an interplay of Purusha and Prakriti.

Silk Road Diaries: India’s most iconic export that reshaped Chinese history!

This blog looks into the fascinating journey of Buddhism, which made its way from India to China through ancient trade routes and left a profound impact on Chinese art, philosophy, and daily life.

Yin and yang: Why life needs to serve us both lemons and honey!

In life we need to accept the rough and the smooth, and I explain this through a very popular Chinese philosophy.

Celebrating Ratan Tata: The courage to fail, the wisdom to lead

Musings on the life of one of India’s most iconic corporate leaders who we lost very recently.

That’s it for this week dear readers. Hope you are enjoying this series as much as I am love presenting a new perspective every week. Always keen to know your suggestions.