Leading Organizations That Matter — Episode 98: "I Don’t Hate AI, But…"

Host: Rey Spadoni
Air Date: March 3, 2026

Episode Overview

In this thought-provoking solo episode, host Rey Spadoni examines his conflicted relationship with artificial intelligence, focusing on its growing influence among mission-driven and nonprofit organizations. While acknowledging AI's impressive capabilities and practical value, Rey candidly explores the reasons he's purposefully slowing his adoption of AI for writing and creative work. The episode is structured around five core reservations, blending personal anecdotes, pop culture references, economic concerns, and ethical questions.

Key Discussion Points

Rey’s Current Relationship with AI (00:10 – 02:30)

• Rey shares that he uses AI for generating graphics, conducting research, sourcing references, and presenting data to clients.
• Notably, he avoids using AI to write, emphasizing:

  "I do not use it to write. Repeat, I don't use it to write." (00:32)

• Rey explains how his initial use of AI for editing led to increasingly substantive AI suggestions, blurring the line between editorial assistance and true authorship.
• He describes this as akin to "playing at the edge of a waterfall without knowing I was at the edge," illustrating how easily reliance can grow (01:40).

The Ubiquity of AI and Market Pressures (02:30 – 04:30)

• Rey discusses the rapid proliferation of AI and how even basic software products now claim "AI-enhanced" features to stay relevant.
• He frames AI adoption as an industry arms race:

  "If you're a company and you're not playing, you're going to have to take your ball and go home. So everybody's playing." (03:45)

Five Reasons for Pausing AI Use in Writing

1. Loss of Uniqueness and Differentiation (04:40 – 06:20)

• Rey references the film The Incredibles and the villain’s line:

  "When everyone is super, then no one is super." (05:00)

• He draws a parallel, warning that if everyone uses AI, individual skill and creative distinction may vanish.
• Rey suggests the challenge will be figuring out how to elevate oneself by doing things AI cannot do well—an ongoing topic for future episodes.

2. The Erosion of Personal Competence (06:20 – 07:15)

• Rey laments how reliance on technology causes skills atrophy, citing his diminished map-reading abilities due to decades of GPS usage.
• He worries:

  "Using AI for all the things it currently does and certainly will be able to do ... will have the same effect on my ability to do things like write a compelling essay, and I don't want that to happen." (06:50)

3. Impact on Jobs and Customer Service (07:15 – 09:20)

• Rey highlights the replacement of human interaction with automated systems, referencing frustrating experiences with customer service bots.
• He raises concerns about the broader economic impact as AI disrupts white-collar professions, asking:

  "What's going to fuel our economy, who will be able to buy stuff, or pay for the work that's accomplished by others who are not so directly replaceable by AI?" (08:45)

• Predicts society will adapt, albeit "messily and painfully in the meantime."

4. Data Privacy and Ownership (09:20 – 10:30)

• Rey questions the wisdom of uploading personal intellectual capital to third-party servers:

  "Frankly, I don't trust them ... that same company is saying, trust us, upload all your brain power onto our servers because we mean you no harm." (09:40)

• He criticizes the trend toward subscription paywalls and incremental costs, calling it:

  "Death by a thousand paper cuts." (10:10)

5. Integrity and Authenticity (10:30 – 11:20)

• Rey finds the idea of passing off AI-generated work as one’s own fundamentally dishonest:

  "Maybe it's just me, but that feels icky." (10:45)

Memorable Quotes and Moments

• On the rapid advance of AI:

  "We are the same species that achieved the first sustained powered flight in 1903. And then only some 66 years later, we put men onto the moon. We move fast and AI is moving fast." (02:55)

• On resisting tech trends:

  "Okay, I know this episode makes me sound like the get off my lawn old guy, but I wanted to get this off my chest." (11:25)

• On authenticity as a value:

  "When it comes to AI as a value, as a statement, I think authenticity is important. So I'm slowing down my use of AI big time." (12:00)

Takeaways & Closing (12:00 – End)

• Rey expresses his intent to monitor and possibly update his stance on AI with future episodes.
• He closes by encouraging feedback from listeners and reiterating his dedication to empowering leaders of mission-driven organizations.

For more insights and resources:
Visit Rey Spadoni's website: RedSailAdvisors.com

Timestamps Guide

• 00:10 — AI in Rey’s Workflow
• 02:30 — Hype and Ubiquity of AI
• 04:40 — Five Reasons for AI Pause
• 05:00 — Incredibles Movie Analogy
• 06:50 — Atrophy of Skill
• 08:45 — Economic Questions
• 09:40 — Data Privacy Doubts
• 10:45 — Integrity and "Icky" Factor
• 12:00 — Call for Authenticity

Tone:
Rey maintains a conversational, sincere, and at times self-deprecating tone, balancing cautious skepticism with an appreciation for innovation. The episode is especially relevant for leaders looking to navigate technology's impact on purpose-driven organizations.