Introduction
Ethan Mollick’s Co-Intelligence explores the evolving partnership between humans and AI, emphasizing collaboration rather than competition. This book demystifies AI technology, explains how to think of AI as a co-intelligence partner, and offers practical rules for integrating AI effectively in work and life. This checklist is designed as a practical reminder and guide to applying the book’s core ideas after reading it.
How to Use This Checklist
Use each section as a reflection and action prompt to deepen your understanding and application of co-intelligence concepts. Answer the yes/no questions honestly to assess how well you are embodying the principles and where further growth or adaptation is needed. This tool supports thoughtful, responsible, and efficient collaboration with AI technologies to enhance leadership, creativity, and learning outcomes.
Understanding AI as Co-Intelligence
Mollick introduces AI, especially large language models, not as mere tools but as collaborators that augment human thinking and creativity. Recognizing AI as a “co-intelligence” encourages a mindset of partnership, where humans and AI dynamically interact to solve problems and innovate.
- Do I view AI as a collaborative partner rather than a replacement?
- Have I explored how AI can augment my thinking or creativity?
- Do I actively experiment with AI tools to understand their capabilities?
- Am I aware of the unique strengths and limits of AI compared to human intelligence?
Four Rules for Effective Co-Intelligence
Mollick outlines four essential rules for working with AI: always invite AI to the table, be the human in the loop, treat AI like a person (with a defined persona), and assume the AI you use is the worst you will ever experience. These principles guide ethical, mindful, and adaptive use of AI.
- Do I consistently include AI as a partner in relevant tasks?
- Do I maintain human oversight over AI’s outputs and decisions?
- Have I practiced defining clear “personas” for AI to improve collaboration?
- Do I stay open to new AI improvements, avoiding overreliance on current tools?
Navigating the Jagged Frontier of AI Capabilities
The “Jagged Frontier” reflects AI’s uneven and unpredictable strengths, where it can outperform humans in complex tasks but fail at simple ones. Understanding this helps users manage expectations and leverage AI’s benefits while guarding against pitfalls.
- Am I mindful of AI’s unpredictable performance across different tasks?
- Do I adjust how I use AI based on its demonstrated strengths and weaknesses?
- Have I prepared fallback plans when AI provides inaccurate or incomplete results?
- Do I continually update my knowledge about AI’s evolving capabilities?
Task Classifications in Human-AI Collaboration
Mollick identifies categories of tasks in relation to AI: “Just Me” (no AI), “Delegated” (AI only), “Centaur” (parallel human and AI work), and “Cyborg” (constant human-AI collaboration). Knowing when and how to allocate tasks supports efficiency and effectiveness.
- Do I identify which tasks are suitable for AI and which require full human control?
- Have I experimented with combining human and AI efforts in “Centaur” tasks?
- Am I exploring deep collaboration in “Cyborg” tasks where AI and I work continuously together?
- Do I regularly reassess task allocation as AI tools evolve?
Ethical Considerations and Future Preparedness
Mollick highlights the importance of aligning AI with human values, ethical use, and preparing for its societal impact. This calls for ongoing learning, responsible decision-making, and active participation in shaping AI’s role.
- Do I consider ethical implications, such as bias and privacy, when using AI?
- Am I staying informed about emerging AI policies and guidelines?
- Do I encourage others to learn and adapt responsibly alongside AI?
- Have I planned for future work and learning changes influenced by AI advances?
Why You Should Read Co-Intelligence
Co-Intelligence by Ethan Mollick is a vital read for anyone eager to embrace the future of work, learning, and creativity alongside AI. Its actionable guidance empowers readers to harness AI’s strengths safely and thoughtfully, making it an indispensable resource for leaders and coaches navigating today’s evolving landscape.
