The AI Edge… at What Cost? How to Navigate the Ethics of AI – Dan Sanchez

What would you do if your new secret weapon at work—AI—started to make you uncomfortable? Not because of the tech itself, but because it’s suddenly possible to outpace your coworkers, leveling up your personal output so much that the boss starts wondering, “Wait, do we need all these people?” If that question’s ever crept into your mind—maybe with a little twinge of guilt—you’re not alone.

The New Reality: Embracing AI Without Losing Our Values

I’ve been there myself, staring down that same ethical crossroads. Using AI in marketing, content, or pretty much any profession right now, isn’t just about hopping on the productivity train. It’s also about wrestling with what kind of colleague, leader, or human you want to be as automation shakes up the workplace.

So, here’s how I navigate these waters—and what you can put to use in your own work life when you start chasing 10x results with AI.

First, Let’s Reframe the Question

Don’t look at it as, “Is it wrong to learn AI if it might push my coworker out?” Instead, treat this as a conversation about values, not just tools.

That twinge you feel? That’s a sign you care. It means you’re coming at this from the right angle—one where you want to advance, but not at anyone’s expense. Let’s lean into that.

Three Mental Models That Keep Me Grounded

The Lifeboat Analogy: Imagine AI isn’t a tool, but a rising tide. Learning to use AI isn’t about putting others overboard; it’s about grabbing a life jacket before the water gets higher. Honestly, refusing to learn just means you’ll be swimming upstream alone when the inevitable tide rolls in.
AI Replaces Tasks, Not People—Leaders Make the Difference: Here’s the thing: AI automates tasks, not entire personalities or skill sets. The choice to cut staff or reinvest in people lies in the hands of leadership. I always push for companies to redeploy and upskill people, not just get leaner. AI can mean you get more done with the same team, not less work for fewer people.
Ethical Voices Belong at the Table: If you don’t push for responsible, human-centered uses of AI, someone less ethical just might. Be the advocate who brings care, compassion, and a human edge to the conversation.

What AI Can’t Replace (and Where You Excel)

I like to think of this as “the human edge.” Even as AI gets slicker, there are things it simply can’t do, such as:

Have beliefs or values. AI can mimic but not originate them.
Use lived experience or gut judgment. It’s great at pattern matching—less so at nuanced discernment that comes from years on the job.
Build real, human-to-human relationships.

AI amplifies your productivity, but it can’t replicate your wisdom, taste, or empathy. If you bring those elements front and center, you stay irreplaceable, no matter how smart the tech gets.

Leadership: Don’t Just Go “AI First”—Go Human First

If you’re leading a team or a whole company, here’s what works better than chasing every shiny new tool:

Start the conversation early and often: Invite your team into dialogue about what adopting AI will mean for your group, your values, and your vision for the future.
Let “human first” drive your approach: Companies that rush to automate everything risk eroding their culture and the quality humans bring—especially on customer support. I much prefer what I’ve seen from organizations that enhance (not replace) their teams with AI and move people into new, more valuable roles as the tech handles the busywork.
Use AI to empower, not eliminate: If you gain productivity, use the breathing room to build and redeploy—not shrink and cut.

Practical Steps to Keep Workplaces Human (and AI-Enhanced)

Communicate proactively about changes. It builds trust and reduces fear across your team.
Upskill and reassign staff wherever possible. Let AI take the drudge work and move your people into new, creative, or more impactful spots.
Push for a “human first, AI-driven” culture—not just in words, but in daily actions.
Encourage open discussion around ethics and the future of work. Those small, honest conversations can shape big organizational decisions.

Advocate With Humility—Because That’s the Human Way

Stand up for your teammates, for ethical tech adoption, and for a future where work is both smarter and kinder. But—here’s my neighborly advice—do it with humility and a gentle hand, not with anger or self-righteousness. The goal is to build consensus, not resentment.

If you find yourself wrestling with ethical tension as AI becomes a workplace norm—good! That’s exactly the sort of mindset we need influencing how these tools are used and how work evolves.

Let’s Build This Future the Right Way

So, whether you lead a team or are just getting started, take the reins. Advocate for a workplace that’s “human first, AI-driven.” Find ways to blend the best of both worlds and create an organization that grows in capability, not just output, as new technologies hit the scene.

Stay human, lead with care, and let’s make this future—together.