THINKING

PODCAST VERSION
(with NotebookLM AI)

THINKING: Humans vs. AI — Are We Really That Different? 
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Artificial Intelligence often gets dismissed for “not being able to think” or “lacking creativity”, like real humans do. But here is the uncomfortable truth. Most humans have an inflated sense of their own consciousness. 

From the moment we are born, our brains work like a highly adaptive learning system. As newborns, we are flooded with inputs: sight, sound, touch, taste, smell. At first, they mean nothing. Over time, we learn that certain combinations of inputs lead to predictable outcomes: 

• A certain feeling in the stomach means hunger. 
• A certain sensation on the skin means pain. 
• ​A certain facial expression means joy or anger. 

 
This constant feedback loop shapes our “mental wiring.” When a new input comes in, our brain produces the most likely response based on what it has learned so far. Sound familiar? That is exactly how AI is trained. 

The difference is that we are not aware of our own processes. We wrap it in a story we call “consciousness.” But it is worth asking: if an AI also processes inputs, learns patterns, and produces outputs without understanding how it does it, is its process really that different from ours? 

Creativity — Not as Unique as We Think 

Humans often claim creativity as their exclusive territory. But creativity is also a process, and processes can be replicated. Some people think with a focus on detail and precision (MBTI S-types). Others focus on patterns, connections, and new possibilities (MBTI N-types). AI models show the same diversity: 
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• Some are optimized for accuracy, reproducing known information as closely as possible. 
• Others operate in “latent space,” summarizing concepts, introducing variation, and combining elements in unexpected ways — a digital version of what we call imagination. 

Whether it is an artist blending influences or an AI recombining learned patterns, the mechanism is surprisingly similar. Creativity is often just a mix and match of past experiences that are unique for you, which allow you to see the present and future in a unique way. 

 The Executive Triathlete’s Advantage 

This is where it comes back to you, the executive triathlete. When you understand how AI works, you start to see how your own mind works in the same way, as a system you can train, guide, and program with intention. 

By realizing this, you can give yourself better “prompts” by controlling the quality of the inputs you expose yourself to. You can unpack your “backpack” of biases and past experiences to improve your perspective. You can deliberately train your thinking to produce better outputs in the boardroom, on the racecourse, and in life. 

If our thinking is, at its core, a trained process, the real edge comes from selectively training it well. 

Don’t forget. It is the small daily steps that turn into positive habits, patterns, and beliefs ingrained in body and mind. Enjoy the journey! 

BONUS TIPS COACH GLENN: 

• Review your “mental prompts” daily and ask whether the inputs you are feeding your mind are helping or holding you back. Prompt yourself daily “Every day, in every way, I am getting better.” 

• Train creativity by balancing accuracy-focused work with time for open exploration and experimentation. 

• Periodically unpack your “backpack” of experiences and biases to lighten your mental load and open new ways of thinking. 

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