In his fascinating new book The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines, Matt Beane highlights how AI is disrupting the expert-novice bond essential for building expertise:
Imagine stepping into an operating room. You’re eager to learn. You watch as a senior surgeon operates with robotic precision. The catch? You’re not touching the controls. You’re just… watching.
This is Kristen’s story. A story playing out across industries.
AI and advanced technologies promise speed and precision. But they’re also creating a dangerous gap between mentors and apprentices. In robotic surgery, senior surgeons no longer need junior residents to assist them.
The result? Fewer opportunities for hands-on learning. Kristen’s skills, like many professionals today, are stalled.
Why Does This Matter?
Expertise isn’t just transferred through observation. It’s built through challenge, complexity, and human connection. Without these, the next generation of leaders and experts may never fully develop their craft.
But here’s the good news: this isn’t the end of the story.
Meet Beth. The Rebel Learner.
Beth faced the same challenges as Kristen. But she refused to let technology push her to the sidelines.
She shadowed surgeons in her free time. She worked in labs to practice robotic techniques. She studied videos late into the night.
When she finally stepped into the operating room, Beth was ready. She impressed her mentors, gained trust, and took on more responsibilities.
Her proactive, rule-bending approach shows us a way forward.
How Can We Preserve the Mentor-Apprentice Bond in the Age of AI?
Encourage Struggle. Learning requires discomfort. Create opportunities for juniors to take on challenges, even if it slows things down in the short term.
Leverage AI Wisely. Use AI to augment, not replace, mentorship. Build systems that encourage collaboration and provide guided feedback.
Reconnect Through Technology. AI can bring people closer, not further apart. Imagine systems that match mentors and apprentices globally, fostering new, dynamic relationships.
As Matt Beane says:
“Challenge, complexity, and connection are essential for expertise. Technology doesn’t have to erase these, it can enhance them.”
What’s Your Take? How can we redesign mentorship in a world shaped by AI? Share your ideas below!
📚 Want to Dive Deeper?
Check out Matt Beane's new book: The Skill Code: How to Save Human Ability in an Age of Intelligent Machines 👉 Get it here
Watch the Matt Beane’s recent talk about the book:
👉 Watch it here