The concept of a Participatory Universe suggests that reality isn’t fixed or predetermined, but rather an evolving experience shaped by our involvement.
We are not mere bystanders in the world; instead, we are active creators of the universe we experience. This idea is rooted in the belief that the universe isn’t a detached, objective reality but one where observers (humans) play a crucial role in shaping outcomes.
This concept is closely linked to theories in quantum mechanics, where the act of observation influence the behavior of particles.
In a broader sense, the Participatory Universe suggests that consciousness and collective human engagement actively “co-create” reality.
Simply put, our thoughts and perceptions shape our reality, leading to different experiences even when people are engaged in the same activity.
Instead of seeing the world as static, reality is understood as a fluid process shaped by our interactions, observations, and thoughts, which drive our actions. This aligns with philosophical perspectives that emphasize how human perception and collective actions contribute to the unfolding of events in our world.
AI’s Role: From seen this as Theory to accepting it as Reality
Before AI, we rarely considered the extent to which our thoughts shape our reality.
We didn’t fully grasp how intangible aspects, such as thoughts and perceptions, influence the tangible outcomes in our lives.
With AI, we are now shaping reality using something that, while intangible (AI doesn’t have a physical form, yet and by providing information), still influences people’s thoughts and actions, leading to different outcomes.
AI represents the power of the observer, offering us the opportunity to create through the power of human minds.
Examples: AI and the power of the Observer
ChatGPT as a Personal Assistant: Imagine ChatGPT helping you write emails or create content.
It holds the power of words. You’re still creating engagement and communicating, just as you did before, but now an “observer” (ChatGPT) offers a perspective you didn’t have before. It shapes how you convey information and communicate your message.
For example, as a non-native English speaker, I often have to remind Alex (my ChatGPT assistant) that I don’t speak like a native—this reflects the observer’s influence.
You might ask yourself, why is this important? Sure, now I have the opportunity to sound like a native speaker, which seems beneficial on the surface. But when you apply the principle of the participatory universe, AI as the observer is altering my word choices, which may not fully communicate my true self. in order for me to sound like me my emails should be personal, friendly, and written in simple English so that when people meet me, they already have a sense of who I am. By letting AI take over, I may sound like a native speaker, but that’s not who I am, and people need to know that—it’s part of my identity.
Generative AI: When using generative AI to create videos or images, you provide an initial prompt, but the AI (the observer) interprets a lot of other details that are not in the prompt by what it thinks the words you provided mean.
For example, if you ask for a “bright light” picture, the AI creates what it perceives as “bright light,” influenced by its understanding.
Why This Matters
If we don’t recognize that life is a subjective experience, we won’t be able to fully utilize AI’s potential to our advantage.
Understanding that reality is shaped by the observer allows us to distinguish when to leverage AI and when people need to lead.
Instead of merely relying on vendor best practices, focusing on features, or seeking the latest AI technological advancements in the hope that they will deliver the desired results, we should focus on maximizing the tools at our disposal to meet our goals and needs effectively by understanding that the real magic lies in balancing the tool with human behaviors.
Finding the Balance Point
The balance point represents the intersection where technology and human ability meet.
It’s the point where individuals can discern when the power of the observer—AI—enhances their efforts and when it’s best to lead with their own strengths. I often refer to this as “safeguarding human traits.”
This balance point represents true augmentation, recognizing that people have unique strengths and weaknesses. The same AI technology may be valued differently by various team members depending on their individual capabilities.
By achieving this balance, organizations can utilize AI to reach their true potential and meet their needs—not just the full potential of the chosen AI tool.
The key difference is that instead of focusing on what AI can take over or the features it offers, organizations should identify what they need to leverage in the chosen AI solution for their best outcomes, using their human talent.
This way, organisations will not lose what makes them unique, which is the ultimate goal.
However, without embracing the idea of a participatory universe, organizations may find that the path to achieving this balance involves trial and error, constantly assessing what might have been lost and needs to be regained.
Participatory Universe and AI Strategy
In a world where our thoughts and actions shape the reality we experience, the concept of a participatory universe offers valuable insight into how we should approach AI strategy.
It’s not just about maximizing technology; it’s about finding the right balance between what AI can do and what humans bring to the table.
An effective AI strategy isn’t about pushing the limits of what the technology can achieve. It’s about understanding when AI should step in to assist and when it’s crucial for people to take the lead.
AI has the power of the observer, meaning it can change things that may not necessarily need to be changed.
When designing our AI strategy, we should focus on what needs to be changed, rather than on the features the technology offers. This balance is where real value is found—leveraging AI to support our unique strengths rather than allowing it to overshadow what makes us special.
By embracing the idea of a participatory universe, we can craft AI strategies that don’t just aim for maximum tech efficiency but also ensure we’re not losing sight of the human element. This approach helps make AI a partner in our work, enhancing our efforts while preserving the qualities that define who we are.
My Thoughts:
When AI is introduced through the lens of an idea like the participatory universe, we become inspired by the concept that our thoughts create our reality. AI can then be seen as more than just a tool for automation; the conversation shifts from “What actions can it take?” to “How can we create something new where both humans and technology have equal power to contribute, each driven by its own strengths?”
AI excels at analyzing data, while humans bring the strengths of understanding emotions, higher awareness, and more.
When organizations focus solely on training to reduce fear, by providing knowledge that’s tied only to the technology and how to use the tool, we miss an opportunity to inspire people to see possibilities. That’s why I always recommend mixing up the training with ideas like the participatory universe. These concepts inspire people to see AI in a new light.
When people are inspired, they realize they do bring value alongside AI, and this inspiration allows them to envision a new way of working—sometimes even beyond the original vision the organization had at the start of their AI strategy.
This is why, in my guide on how to design your own AI strategy, vision and inspiration are key building blocks that need to be outlined when drafting an AI strategy. The benefits are numerous: from creating long-term goals to reducing fear, to cultivating a new organizational culture that supports creativity and critical thinking.
If you’ve made it this far, I invite you to an inspirational conversation to envision a new working environment tailored to your organization’s needs, challenges, and opportunities. Make sure to bring coffee.
