Artificial intelligence or Genuine Idiocy?

 By Kirsten Stendevad, Nordic thoughtleader and leadership developer

Danish companies stand at a historic crossroads, and many are about to choose the wrong path. In the pursuit of quick AI gains, even the most reputable companies are making a potentially fatal mistake: They believe that technology alone can solve their challenges. But as budgets for 2026 are now being finalized, many are overlooking a crucial factor: It's no longer enough to learn new skills - the entire human operating system needs to be upgraded.

More than half of all companies in Europe are planning massive AI implementation. At the same time, new studies reveal a worrying trend: Only few have concrete plans for the human side of the equation. In fact, AI investment budgets are often taken from the HR budget...

The Overlooked Brain Factor

The overlooked brain factor is central to this issue. Few HR professionals and leaders know enough about brain function to tackle the challenge effectively. "We see a fundamental misunderstanding in many companies," states leading brain expert and PhD Wynford Dore. "The brain instinctively reacts with anxiety to the unknown - and the future has never been more unpredictable. Meanwhile, most employees are already suffering from information overload."

Warm AI vs. Cold AI

Hack Future Lab's founder Terence Mauri defines two possible futures: "Warm AI" and "Cold AI". Warm AI represents a human-first approach that unleashes our full neural potential and increases mental capacity. Cold AI, on the other hand, is a machine-first approach that risks overloading our nervous system and creating chronic stress.

Large companies like Novo Nordisk, Ørsted, and Mærsk are investing billions in AI technology. But without parallel investment in upgrading the human operating system, they risk ending up with what Mauri calls "Artificial Idiocy" - advanced technology that must be handled by uninformed people with stressed brains and nervous systems.

Evidence for Balanced Investment

MIT Sloan's latest research documents the marked differences between the two approaches. Companies that invest in balanced development of people and technology see a 37% higher innovation rate and 29% higher earnings per employee. Even more telling is McKinsey's "State of AI 2023," which shows how companies focusing on mental development achieve significantly better results with their AI implementation.

Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella puts it pointedly: "AI transformation is 20% about technology and 80% about people and processes." This is supported by new neuroscientific studies showing how the brain must unlearn old patterns before new ones can be effectively implemented.

The Timing Factor

Timing is crucial. Right now, budgets for 2026 are being set, and even a modest 1% adjustment in the investment course can dramatically change the destination. For companies, this means it's time to fundamentally rethink development. The old-fashioned approach of "pouring more information on" must yield to a deeper understanding of neural development and learning.

Invest in Human Operating Systems

A (large) part of the AI budget should be earmarked for human development. This includes systematic brain training, development of neural robustness, and building capacity to handle constant change. It's not just about learning new skills, but about upgrading the entire human operating system so we can awaken the dormant human resources that enable us to use the winds of change as tailwind.

The True Competitive Edge

We stand at a neurological turning point. Tomorrow's winners won't necessarily be the companies with the most advanced AI, but those who most effectively manage to integrate technology with human development.

2026 is approa