AI amplifies what you already know – but what happens if you don’t know yet?

Reflections on AI, experience, and the importance of human guidance in a new era

By Lina Edenfelt Holst

I work with strategies, communication, business development, and leadership – and in recent years, I’ve also coached people through change, growth, and sometimes complete restarts. As AI transforms how we work, create, and communicate, one thing has become increasingly clear to me: 👉 It amplifies what you already know. But it also reveals what you haven’t yet built. What do I mean by that? Let me explain.

When AI becomes your superpower – but only if you know what you're doing

I use AI daily in my work – to analyze, create, test ideas, challenge thought patterns. It’s a powerful tool. But my ability to extract real value from AI relies on something deeply human: Judgment. Context. Strategic thinking. Experience.

I know what questions I want answered. I can interpret the results and spot when something sounds right but is actually off. When something might work – but at an unnecessary cost. I know when a draft needs refining, simplifying, or deepening. And most importantly – I know why I’m asking what I’m asking.

To me, AI has become a plugged-in colleague. An extension of my own thinking. But it’s only when technology meets human insight that the real magic happens.

But what if you don’t have that experience?

This is where it gets more complicated. For someone still building their skills – a new employee, student, or young entrepreneur – AI can be more confusing than helpful.

💡 A 2023 study from MIT shows that AI is most effective when used by people with deep domain knowledge – because they can frame the right prompts and critically evaluate the results.

Source: MIT Sloan School of Management

Without that foundation, you risk making decisions on shaky ground. Creating content that sounds convincing – but lacks depth. Or following advice that doesn’t fit the context. AI doesn’t compensate for a lack of experience – it amplifies the gaps. This is where I see a strong parallel to leadership.

AI is like a mirror – what you feed it is what you get back.

If you're a leader, strategist, or creator with a clear purpose, solid knowledge, and trained judgment, AI can accelerate your processes and strengthen your insights. But without that foundation, AI easily becomes a "quick fix" tool. Something that lets you pretend you know – and that’s dangerous. It can even become very costly – in time, money, and trust.

As Dr. Ethan Mollick, researcher at Wharton, puts it:

"AI is not a replacement for thinking. It’s a partner for those who already think deeply."

So what do we need to do?

I believe we need to rethink how we approach learning, development, and leadership in the age of AI. Giving someone an AI tool is not enough. We need to offer more foundational knowledge, mentorship, feedback, and reflection. And above all: more permission not to know.

We need to create environments where it’s natural to say:

– “I don’t fully understand this – can we talk it through?”

– “This feels right – but why?”

– “I don’t know how to prompt AI for this. Can you help me?”

We must continue to value human learning – even in a hyper-digital world.

The courage to not know – a key strength in the age of AI

I’m convinced that our ability to be vulnerable – to stand in what we don’t know yet – will be one of our greatest assets moving forward. Because that’s where real growth begins.

To be curious. To ask questions. To say “I don’t know – yet” and see it as a sign of courage, not weakness. That’s how we grow. Together – with both humans and machines.

In summary:

• AI amplifies what you already know – but for those lacking knowledge or experience, it can become a shortcut that leads in the wrong direction.

• Learning, mentorship, reflection, and feedback are more essential than ever to enable meaningful development.

• Judgment, context, and the ability to ask the right questions are key to unlocking true value from AI.

• We must build supportive environments where it’s okay not to know – and where growth is allowed to take time.

• Real transformation happens when technology meets human insight, courage, and reflection.

Feel free to reach out with your thoughts or questions. Let’s keep the conversation going.

/ Lina Edenfelt Holst

Strategist | Speaker | Coach | Consultant