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Episode 158 - Co-Intelligence: Is AI Going To Replace Me?

By: Richard Buckle on Feb 5, 2026 2:58:27 PM

The SME Growth Podcast
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Artificial intelligence has moved beyond being a novelty or a specialist tool, it is now fast becoming a core part of how modern businesses operate. In this episode, we reflect on the book 'Co-Intelligence: Living & Working With AI' by Ethan Mollick, using it as a springboard to explore what it really means to work with AI rather than simply deploy it. Rather than focusing on tools or trends, we discuss how leaders should be thinking about AI as a colleague: capable, fast, sometimes flawed, and always in need of human judgement.

We share practical experiences from our own work, particularly how AI is already reshaping decision-making, sales, strategy and leadership conversations. From the idea of the “jagged frontier”, where AI can be brilliant at one task but hopeless at a closely related others, to the risks of delay and the power of early learning, this conversation is about mindset, responsibility and competitive advantage in an age of rapid change.You can listen to the full episode here 


Listen to the full episode now

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0f2ySwQHwCU3vUiZLTCsNT?si=4c7UkeV7QzG9v_Kt6gIRawhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-sme-growth-podcast-by-wellmeadow/id1654715808https://www.youtube.com/@TheSMEGrowthPodcast 

Key Topics Discussed:

  • AI as a team-mate, not a replacement

  • Why delay is a strategic error when it comes to AI adoption

  • The concept of the “jagged frontier” of AI capability

  • Treating AI like a junior but very fast colleague

  • Where human judgement, ethics and accountability must remain

  • Experimentation as the only reliable way to understand AI’s strengths

  • The risks of passive or superficial AI use

  • How AI is already changing sales, strategy and leadership workflows

 

Who Is This Episode For:

This episode is aimed at business owners, directors, senior leaders, sales leaders and marketers who want to move beyond surface-level AI use and understand how it can genuinely improve the way they think, decide and operate. If you’re responsible for growth, performance or strategy, and wondering how AI fits practically into your role, this conversation is for you.

 

Quotes to Remember:

“Treat it like a junior, but a very fast one".

"Delay is a strategic error, and early learning compounds”.

“This will be the worst AI you’ll ever use”.

 

Actionable Takeaways:

  1. Invite AI into more conversations, even when you’re unsure it can help.
  2. Stay firmly the ‘human in the loop’: sense-check outputs and own the decisions.
  3. Experiment broadly and cheaply, prediction is far less reliable than testing.
  4. Use AI to surface blind spots, not just to save time.
  5. Be specific with instructions: context, role and expectations matter.
  6. Review where AI adds insight, not just efficiency, especially in sales and strategy.
  7. Start now, early familiarity compounds into long-term advantage.

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