In 2026 I will repeat again and again: maybe the best way to thrive in the age of AI is simply to stay grounded.
Today, I want to explore this through the lens of executive function, both in the psychological sense and in the corporate sense.
Here’s a simple observation: AI can do a lot, but it can’t decide what we want to use it for or take initiative on its own. At some point (at least for the foreseeable future) a human must make the decision to set up a process and direct AI toward a specific, desirable outcome.
This is where executive function comes in. On a personal level, it’s about asking yourself: What do I want to achieve? What could go wrong? What information should the AI focus on to accomplish this task? Whatever you might be doing with AI you still need to define the goals and boundaries. If I ask AI to draft a business letter and provide pulp slasher fiction as context, I’ve failed as the executive function. I told AI to focus on the wrong things, and the result will reflect that.
The same principle applies at the organizational level. If you’re the executive guiding an AI system, you need clarity and discipline. What is this system meant to accomplish? Which outcomes are desirable, and which are not? What should the AI pay attention to, and what should it avoid? These decisions about goals, priorities, and boundaries are at the core of executive function.
What's more, it's becoming clear you can’t outsource your executive function to AI safely. While AI can process limitless information, relying on it to decide what’s important or to regulate your emotions can be dangerous. We already see examples in the media: people developing what some call “AI psychosis.” As I have explained elsewhere and will explain again, it's not just about developing incorrect beliefs but letting AI amplify destructive emotions, impulsivity, or false confidence unto serious consequences.
The corporate parallels are clear. AI systems deployed without oversight or guardrails can produce harmful outcomes, damaging a company’s reputation. This, too, is a failure of executive function: knowing what not to do, and maintaining systems of recognition and discipline, is as important as knowing what to do.
The takeaway is simple: humans remain the source of executive function. To improve your executive function, both for yourself and for AI, you need to cultivate mental and emotional health. Lead a balanced life, manage stress, maintain wholesome relationships, and take time to recharge. These are not just lifestyle tips, but rather they are increasingly the foundation of effective decision-making in the age of AI.
If you’re anxious about AI, don’t focus solely on mastering the technology. Focus on grooming your mind so you can bring a calm, disciplined frame to the decisions you make with the technology. You’ve been handed a powerful tool. Understanding how to point it in the right direction, and understanding how your own state of mind affects those decisions, will make all the difference.