What Makes Us Human Makes Us Irreplaceable
The power of presence, empathy, discernment and choice in the age of AI
Dear C Athlete,
Are you, like me, having mixed feelings about the rapid rise of AI?
Full disclosure: I use AI in my work and find it a great productivity partner. But while I take delight in the time-saving efficiencies and learning it unlocks, I can’t help but wonder:
What will the future of work—and our future at work—look like?
Are the skills I’ve built over the past 20-plus years—deep in the trenches, building campaigns and teams from scratch—becoming redundant as AI evolves daily?
With tools like ChatGPT, expertise is easy to imitate. These days, anyone can call themselves a thought leader—or even publish a book on a craft they’ve never practised.
But sounding like an expert isn’t the same as being one—especially when it’s disconnected from the messy, hard-earned reality of actual work. When output becomes effortless, it may look polished—but often lacks depth and soul.
How would a world dominated by AI appear?
One that’s increasingly robotic? Lacking in empathy? A culture of speed, but with little space for reflection? What about ethics—especially with the recent ChatGPT Studio Ghibli rollout that’s sparked passionate responses (including mine)?
Would people still crave connection? Will we still matter?
As C-Athletes, how do we navigate this race, this rapid transformation?
Breathe. I tell myself.
The human element still matters. In fact, it may be our greatest advantage.
1. The Human Touch (Presence)
Touch—both literal and symbolic—is the first language we ever learn. It shapes how we connect, how we trust, how we thrive.
I’m reminded of the day I gave birth to my firstborn: the skin-to-skin contact, the “hello stranger, I’m your mama” moment. That primal connection, without words, said everything.
Yet, this kind of touch extends far beyond babies.
In the workplace, the human touch isn’t about physical closeness. It’s about showing up fully. It’s the way we listen with our eyes, offer our time without distraction, and show care in the details. It’s when someone remembers your name, asks how you’re really doing, or puts in that extra 5% that says: this matters.
Presence is the kind of energy people can feel, even in silence. It’s something no algorithm can replicate.
What this means: The human touch today is about emotional availability, attentiveness, and care. It creates the conditions for trust and high-functioning teams through meaningful presence.
2. The Human Connection (Relationships)
In our hyper-connected world, we are, ironically, more emotionally disconnected than ever.
Even as AI replaces hard skills, the power of genuine connection remains irreplaceable.
You know the power of connection:
Bringing your client a thoughtful coffee
A calming voice to reassure an anxious colleague
A steady glance that says, “I’ve got your back”
A real, present conversation, not just another WhatsApp ping
Sharing inside jokes only your tribe understands
These small, seemingly simple moments are what build trust, belonging, and rapport.
According to Albert Mehrabian's 55/38/7 rule:
55% of communication is body language.
38% is tone of voice.
Just 7% is the actual words.
We tend to underestimate just how much communication happens beyond words. That’s why texts and emails are so easily misinterpreted.
In fact, face-to-face requests are 34 times more effective than email (Harvard Business Review, 2017). When you’re present, you can read the room, time your ask, and respond with empathy.
What this means: Amid digital noise, real connection cuts through. The smallest human moments can leave the biggest impact.
3. The Human Heart (EQ)
Top performers across industries don’t just rely on IQ. They lead with emotional intelligence.
AI has made knowledge accessible. But EQ? That’s still uniquely human.
EQ helps us read what’s unspoken. It’s knowing when to speak, when to pause, when to soften your tone, or simply hold space for someone.
Our brains are wired for this. Empathy activates regions like the mirror neuron system and insula—helping us attune to others not through logic, but through feeling.
It’s not just cognitive. It’s embodied. Emotional intelligence lives in our nervous systems, shaped by experience and guided by the heart.
What this means: Empathy sharpens our instincts and deepens our impact—because people may forget what you said, but they will remember how you made them feel.
4. The Human Mind (Ethics & Discernment)
Where—and how—do we draw the line?
When ChatGPT launched its Studio Ghibli feature last week, it sparked an outcry. Beyond IP and data privacy concerns, many, including myself, felt it violated creative integrity. Miyazaki’s 2016 words echoed loudly: “It’s an insult to life itself.”
This wasn’t just about AI doing what it could. At some point, there was a human decision to sidestep the spirit of the craft—the years of mastery, cultural depth and soul behind the unique Ghibli style.
That’s the deeper issue. Not what AI can do, but what we allow, accept, and amplify.
As ideas, identity and artistry become increasingly commoditised, ethics matter more than ever.
What this means: The true mark of leadership is not just about understanding AI’s capabilities. It’s about having the courage and discernment to define its boundaries. The more blurred the lines become, the more our values must stay sharp.
5. The Human Choice (Action)
According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2025 report, AI will transform nearly 9 in 10 businesses. By 2030, 170 million jobs will be created—and 92 million lost.
Nearly 4 in 10 current skills will be outdated. Over half of all workers will need reskilling, yet 1 in 5 may not get the chance.
The world doesn’t just need more tech experts. It needs adaptive leaders with clear minds, steady hearts, and a strong moral compass to navigate this era with strategy, empathy and integrity.
The real question isn’t just what we do in the age of AI.
It’s how we choose to show up.
Change is constant. How we pivot defines who we become.
As a species, we’ve always been resilient. We’ve always adapted.
The challenge now is to harness the best of technology—without losing the best of what makes us human.
Because AI doesn’t have a human heart.
We do.
Stay human,
Serina
P.S. If this resonated with you, share it with a fellow C Athlete or leave a comment. I'd love to hear how you're navigating your own AI/human balance.
Very nice article Serina, AI technology has led to swift advancements in human life. However, it is crucial that progress in AI continues to prioritize human, moral, and ethical values. While AI has the capability to substitute for both mental and physical tasks, it can never replicate the human heart. Wisdom of the heart is never be replaced by AI. My opinion, advancement in AI technology, when devoid of the wisdom of the heart, can cause us to go astray.
What a fantastic article, Serina!
I love the concept of “presence”, the importance of body language, and the idea our soul will remain forever intact.
And I agree also about the fact that we have to find boundaries. As we did with genetics in the past, adult materials, property, privacy, and many controversial topics that we and our ancestors faced.