Up next: hybrid intelligence systems that amplify, augment human capabilities

In their new book, “SuperShifts: Transforming How We Live, Learn, and Work in the Age of Intelligence,” Ja-Naé Duane and Steve Fisher look at how emerging technologies create opportunities for transformation and even the development of new intelligent species.

Among these transformations is what they call “IntelliFusion,” or “the convergence and seamless integration of artificial intelligence with human intelligence, blurring the boundaries between machine and human cognition and giving rise to hybrid intelligence systems that amplify and augment our capabilities.”

Duane, a behavioral scientist, is the faculty director of Brown University’s Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship program and an academic research fellow at the MIT Center for Information Systems Research. Fisher is an entrepreneur and futurist. 

In the excerpt below, the authors discuss how the integration of AI and human intelligence will impact individuals, organizations, and society.

+++

Personal implications

IntelliFusion is set to profoundly impact individuals, reshaping how we work, learn, and think. As AI becomes more integrated into our daily lives, individuals must adapt to working alongside these intelligent systems, developing new skills to leverage their capabilities effectively. On the positive side, IntelliFusion offers the potential for significant cognitive enhancement. AI assistants could help us manage our time more efficiently, enhance our decision-making with data-driven insights, and even augment our memory and recall abilities. Imagine having a personal AI that knows your schedule, preferences, and goals, constantly working in the background to optimize your day and provide relevant information exactly when you need it. 

Moreover, IntelliFusion could democratize access to expertise. With AI systems capable of providing expert-level advice on a wide range of topics, individuals could have unprecedented access to knowledge and guidance. Whether you’re trying to fix a leaky faucet or understand a complex scientific concept, an AI assistant could provide step-by-step guidance tailored to your level of understanding. 

However, this integration also raises concerns about privacy and autonomy. As AI systems become more integrated with our personal lives, they will have access to vast amounts of personal data. Ensuring the security and ethical use of this data will be crucial. There’s also the risk of overreliance on AI, potentially atrophying certain cognitive skills if we become too dependent on our digital assistants. Furthermore, the rapid pace of AI advancement may lead to a sense of constant pressure to “keep up” with technology. Individuals may feel the need to continually update their skills to remain relevant in a job market increasingly shaped by AI. 

On a deeper level, IntelliFusion may challenge our very notion of self and identity. As we increasingly collaborate with AI systems, the line between our own thoughts and AI-assisted cognition may blur. This could lead to philosophical questions about the nature of human intelligence and consciousness. 

Despite these challenges, the potential benefits of IntelliFusion for individuals are immense. By embracing this shift and actively shaping how we integrate AI into our lives, we have the opportunity to enhance our cognitive capabilities, increase our productivity, and potentially unlock new realms of human potential. The key will be to approach this integration thoughtfully, maintaining our human values and critical thinking skills while leveraging the power of AI to augment our abilities.

Organizational challenges and opportunities

Organizations face significant challenges and extraordinary opportunities as they navigate the IntelliFusion landscape. The integration of AI into workflows and decision-making processes has the potential to increase efficiency, innovation, and competitiveness dramatically. However, it also requires navigating complex technical, ethical, and human resource considerations. 

Companies that successfully implement IntelliFusion strategies can expect substantial gains in productivity and innovation. AI systems can handle routine tasks, freeing up human employees to focus on more creative and strategic work. For instance, in customer service, AI chatbots can handle basic inquiries, allowing human representatives to deal with more complex issues that require empathy and nuanced understanding. IntelliFusion also opens up new possibilities for data-driven decision-making. By analyzing vast amounts of data and identifying patterns that humans might miss, AI can provide valuable insights to inform strategic decisions. This could revolutionize everything from supply chain management to marketing strategies. However, organizations must be careful not to over-rely on AI, maintaining a balance that leverages both machine efficiency and human judgment. 

The implementation of IntelliFusion technologies also presents significant challenges. There’s often a steep learning curve as employees adapt to working alongside AI systems. This necessitates substantial investment in training and change management. Organizations must also grapple with ethical considerations, such as ensuring AI systems don’t perpetuate biases or infringe on privacy rights. There’s also the challenge of explaining AI-driven decisions, particularly in regulated industries where transparency is crucial.

Moreover, IntelliFusion may require a fundamental rethinking of organizational structures and job roles. As AI takes over more routine tasks, organizations will need to redefine job descriptions and create new roles that focus on human-AI collaboration. This could lead to flatter, more flexible organizational structures that can adapt quickly to changing circumstances.

Societal shifts and adaptations

The societal impact of IntelliFusion is profound, challenging our understanding of intelligence and human nature. As AI systems become more integrated into our lives, we face philosophical and ethical questions about consciousness and the rights of artificial entities. In education, IntelliFusion is driving a shift toward personalized, lifelong learning. Adaptive systems are tailoring content to individual needs, potentially democratizing access to high-quality education and enabling continuous upskilling. 

The job market is transforming, with concerns about displacement balanced by emerging roles in human-AI collaboration. Society must reimagine career paths and social safety nets to support this transition. Health care is also being reshaped, with AI promising more accurate diagnoses and personalized treatments. While this could significantly improve public health, it raises concerns about data privacy. In governance, IntelliFusion enables tools for data-driven decision-making, but questions arise about the role of human judgment and the potential for AI to manipulate public opinion. 

AI is changing how we interact and form relationships, potentially bridging cultural divides but also risking increased social isolation or echo chambers. We can witness now how our relationship with information is evolving, as AI-generated content challenges our ability to distinguish fact from fiction, necessitating new approaches to digital literacy. IntelliFusion has the potential to address pressing global challenges through advanced data processing and pattern recognition. 

However, realizing this potential requires careful governance to ensure equitable distribution of benefits and alignment with human values. It presents both significant opportunities and challenges. Ongoing dialogue between stakeholders is crucial to ensure its development benefits humanity, augmenting rather than replacing human capabilities.

Excerpted with permission from the publisher, Wiley, from “SuperShifts: Transforming How We Live, Learn, and Work in the Age of Intelligence,” by Ja-Naé Duane and Steve Fisher. Copyright © 2025 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved.