Arthur Zards is a remarkable figure whose career has spanned technology, public speaking, and the TEDx community. Known for being the driving force behind TEDx Naperville—which, before the pandemic, was one of the longest-running and largest TEDx conferences in the U.S.—Zards’ career is rooted in the tech industry, where he played a pivotal role in bringing high-speed internet to Chicago’s suburbs, helping to lay the foundation for today’s digital economy. 

Now, decades later, Zards has pivoted his focus to an exciting new frontier: Helping both businesses and everyday people find their footing in the world of artificial intelligence—more commonly known as AI.

Zards believes that AI can amplify human intelligence and creativity if we engage with it as a collaborator that outsources thought processing—literally helping us think faster. He also, more importantly, believes that we must continually engage with it in order to ensure that it remains accessible to everyone.

Artificial Intelligence is Here to Stay

Not knowing how to use AI is the next generation’s “Grandma doesn’t know how to text.”

The reality is that we are already living in an AI-driven world, whether we realize it or not, and much like the internet, it’s not some fad that’s going away; the only difference resisting it will make is how well you’re able to keep up with this rapidly evolving technology—because if businesses are already figuring it out, it means that you can either choose to be savvy, or get left behind. 

Think about it this way: If those who have intellectual or moral objections to the way AI is being used right now simply refuse to utilize it, then the result will be that people without those strong morals will be leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of us by the time the law can catch up—and that’s definitely something we want to avoid.

To that end, Arthur Zards wants to introduce people to his concept of “vibing with AI.” This approach reframes AI as a partner—an extension of our own critical thinking—rather than something to fear or compete with. 

He encourages everyone to simply log on and play with ChatGPT, or a similar program, for a few minutes a day, just to keep up to date on what it can do—because at the rate that this technology is evolving, playing catch-up is going to be a losing game.

Arthur Zards Wants Us ‘Vibing’ With AI

One of the key messages Zards conveyed is the importance of demystifying artificial intelligence. Too often, the topic of artificial intelligence conjures images of dystopian futures or rampant job losses, but Zards encourages us to widen our perspective—because the thing is, AI is already part of our daily lives in ways we hardly think about anymore.

Whether it’s recommendation engines guiding our online shopping, voice assistants helping us with tasks, or sophisticated algorithms shaping our content consumption, artificial intelligence has been quietly but powerfully integrated everywhere we turn. If you’ve ever gotten a suggestion from a streaming service about what to watch next and absolutely loved it, you can thank AI for that; and TikTok users, “the algorithm” that is dictating what you see is actually artificial intelligence too.

There are practical wonders AI can bring to our lives when viewed through this lens—and if we don’t want to lose the things we are worried about losing to it, the only way forward is to learn how to work with it, and figure out together how it can be used to do good things for us.

For example, my husband and I recently completed a 6,000-mile journey from Vermont to Oregon and back, over the course of nearly three weeks. Throughout our adventure, we relied on AI-powered tools like ChatGPT dozens of times a day. It helped us optimize our driving routes, provided insights into the geology and history of the landscapes we traveled through, and even guided us through creative problem-solving!

From planning our sightseeing on full moon nights, to giving clever cooking tips (like using a heated lunchbox to cook meals on the road,) AI became an invaluable co-pilot to us, and Zards believes that this kind of integration is only the beginning. By shifting our relationship with AI from one of fear to one of curiosity, we open ourselves to a world of possibilities.

Knowledge is the Antidote to Fear

During the podcast, Zards shares valuable insights for those looking to step into this collaborative mindset. He’s helping businesses and individuals alike learn to “vibe” with AI, encouraging them to use AI, not as a replacement for talent, but as a means to augment their skills and intelligence.

As we move forward into a future that’s increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence, Zards’ message of collaboration and curiosity feels more relevant than ever. AI isn’t something to be afraid of; it’s a collaborator that can enhance our thinking and decision-making, allowing us to explore new frontiers of creativity and problem-solving. 

Advances in technology all cause this kind of upheaval—it’s up to us to engage with it, learn from it, and harness it for the betterment of our lives and work. Arthur’s message is clear: The future (both of artificial intelligence, and in general) should be shaped with curiosity, not with fear—and the best antidote to fear is knowledge.

The more people there are who choose to “vibe with AI,” the more general knowledge we will all have—making it more difficult for those with less noble intent to take advantage of the technology—and by extension, of the rest of us. By embracing this future, we can not only adapt, but thrive in an AI-driven world.

Part 2 Coming Next Week!

This is only Part 1 of our time with Arthur! We had so much fun, and so much to share with you that we recorded a Part 2 of our interview where we take a hands-on approach to “vibing with AI,” where we’ll walk listeners through exactly how to get started with using artificial intelligence as an extension of their own intelligence.

Join us on this odyssey of AI possibility, and see your own new potential expand wildly!

• LabZ Website
• Podcast: Seth Godin’s CoG Episode #134
• Video: What if you could trade a paperclip for a house?

• 00:00 – Intro & Welcome
• 04:11 – Vibing with AI
• 06:36 – Digital Natives vs Digital Immigrants
• 09:57 – What is AI?
• 13:13 – Adapting with AI
• 26:16 – Collaborating with AI
• 30:46 – Break
• 33:02 – Be the Human in the Loop
• 41:29 – AI is Not Another Tool
• 47:46 – AI Myths
• 54:35 – Preview of Part 2
• 56:24 – Practice AI Daily
• 58:01 – Closing