How to use AI without losing your soul.
Define your AI ethics manifesto.
Artificial intelligence (AI) has moved rapidly from the margins to the mainstream. Once defined by standalone tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Midjourney, AI is now embedded in the platforms we rely on daily—Google Chrome, Microsoft Office, and Figma among them. This shift represents more than a technological leap; it fundamentally redefines how we create, collaborate, and connect.
Throughout history, emerging tools have accelerated and expanded human capabilities. The generative nature of AI, however, now challenges the very role of the individual. The question is no longer whether you will use AI, but how you will use it, and whether you retain ownership of your ideas, decisions, and outputs.
AI is everywhere.
Today, “AI” often refers to Generative AI (GenAI), frequently associated with Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPTs)—models that understand, generate, and translate human language at a scale no human can match. Early adopters have already defined their go-to GPTs for specific tasks, while skeptics continue to resist them.
Avoidance is increasingly futile. AI is weaving itself into the fabric of work: Google Chrome delivers AI-generated summaries, Microsoft Copilot suggests edits before you hit “send,” and Figma drafts designs in seconds.
Whether through standalone tools or embedded features, the same questions persist: Can we trust AI’s accuracy? Do we accept its credibility? What does “quality” mean when machines shape so much of what we produce?
You are the human in the room.
AI can be a powerful collaborator, with an inherent call-and-response dynamic. As Ethan Mollick describes in Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI, it functions as a “collaborative alien mind.” Responses sound human, but are entirely machine-generated.
Like any strong partnership, success depends on understanding complementary strengths. Human capabilities such as empathy, intuition, and self-awareness remain irreplaceable. AI, in turn, excels at processing speed, consistency, and multitasking. In every interaction, you bring the context, discernment, and responsibility. AI may extend your reach, but ownership of thought, ethics, and outcomes remains firmly yours.
Define your AI ethics manifesto.
As AI continues its rapid evolution, questions of ownership, integrity, and accountability can feel daunting. An AI ethics manifesto provides clarity by establishing guardrails; guiding how you, your team, and your organization engage with AI responsibly.
IDEO, the design firm known for pioneering human-centered design, offers a simple but powerful framework built around three prompts:
WE BELIEVE – What is the value or principle?
SO WE WILL – What is the specific action?
BECAUSE – What is the intended impact?
By crafting a statement for each of your core values, you translate abstract principles into actionable commitments.
As an example …
We believe in inclusive and responsible design.
So we will document AI use and display prompts alongside artifacts where appropriate.
Because transparency builds trust and enables better collaboration.
Get started now.
AI will not wait for you to catch up. Define your principles today to shape the future of work, collaboration, and creativity. The power of AI is immense—but its ethical, responsible use depends entirely on human judgment, oversight, and integrity.