Moravec’s Paradox

It’s fascinating watching your kids learning to walk.

First comes the butt sliding. Then the shuffling and the inevitable tumbles. Then, they quickly learn to grab the coffee table to pull themselves up, clutching on like their life depends on it.

Holding on, they start to rock back and forth.

Soon they build the confidence to balance, raising their hands in the air to the applause of their carers.

Finally those crucial first steps.

Before long, they are charging around the house without a care in the world.

It’s the same with their emotional development.

My kids have got to the age now where they are beyond the nonsensical knock-knock jokes, but show some serious wit. It’s fairly common now for my kids to mimic my serious ‘dad voice‘, particularly to diffuse certain situations.

Moments like these highlight a real understanding of timing, context, and connection.

Now, when I see my kids dancing, playing football and generally taking the mick (out of me), it’s hard to believe how much they’ve developed in just a short space of time.

When we think about artificial intelligence, and the role it’ll play in developing people, it’s worth considering Moravec’s paradox.

Ask AI to solve my kids’ long division homework and it’d have no problem at all. Ask it to understand the dynamics of the school playground at break time, and it wouldn’t stand a chance.

Often the tasks that seem low effort to humans often require layers of intuitive understanding and adaptability. AI, for all its computational brilliance, lacks this human depth in surprising ways.

Moravec’s paradox highlights how artificial intelligence excels at tasks that humans typically find challenging, such as complex calculations or data analysis, but struggles with tasks that humans find easy.

These “easy” tasks for humans often involve sensory-motor skills, emotional intelligence, and creativity – areas where AI has significant limitations.

It’s the reason why AI was able to help robots win at chess long before they could walk.

As adults, the situation is no different.

For example, while AI can process millions of financial transactions in seconds, it cannot easily interpret the subtle political dynamics within a workplace. It doesn’t understand the tension and awkwardness in the morning after an alcohol-fuelled Christmas party.

It can generate realistic-looking art, but this often lacks the depth of emotion or intent that a human artist brings to their work.

And while AI can replicate conversational patterns, it doesn’t truly “engage” with stakeholders in the way a skilled human facilitator can.

So what does Moravec’s paradox mean for us as subject experts?

Expertise as a Human Differentiator

As I’ve said many times before, people don’t just seek expertise for information or knowledge. They seek it for transformation.

They want to solve problems, achieve meaningful progress, or navigate complex challenges.

They don’t necessarily want to do something better, they want to be someone different.

To meet these needs, subject experts must lean into the traits that make them uniquely human.

Emotional intelligence, empathy, creativity, and the ability to build genuine connections are qualities that AI cannot replicate at a meaningful level.

As AI continues to handle many technical and repetitive tasks, the role of subject experts will increasingly hinge on their ability to:

• Understand and navigate the human side of challenges, such as motivating teams or resolving conflicts.
• Provide nuanced, context-driven guidance that goes beyond static data or formulaic answers.
• Inspire and connect with others on a personal level, creating trust and fostering collaboration.

Building Expertise-Based Businesses for the Future

Given this, I think that expertise-based businesses should be asking themselves three key questions:

1. How can we be more human?
This might mean focusing on building relationships, enhancing customer experiences, or emphasising the empathetic and creative aspects of your services.

2. What value do we provide that cannot be automated?
Double down on areas where human insight, connection, and adaptability shine. Bring the context. Share your stories and scars.

3. How can we use AI to enhance our expertise?
AI can help free up time by automating routine tasks, allowing you to focus on what you do best: providing high-value, human-centered insights, guidance and support.

Embracing Humanity in the Age of AI

When there’s doubt about the future role of subject experts, the answer lies in leaning into being more human.

By embracing the qualities that make humans exceptional, subject experts can continue to thrive in a world increasingly shaped by AI.

Andy Jack

Andy loves helping subject experts, authors, speakers, coaches and key persons of influence to monetise their expertise with online learning. When not on his laptop, he'll usually be found up a mountain!