Generative AI tools like ChatGPT have taken the world by storm. From writing emails to analysing data and even generating art, they’ve been hailed as game-changers across industries. But while we marvel at the magic, it’s easy to overlook what’s happening behind the scenes, and it’s not all shiny and futuristic.
As businesses ride the wave of digital transformation, there’s a growing need to pause and ask some tough questions: What are we giving up in the name of progress? What’s the real human cost of all this innovation? And how can critical thinking help us navigate it all?
The human cost of “clean” AI
AI might feel like a clean, efficient digital brain, but someone, a real person, has to do the dirty work first.
Before AI tools can impress us with their polished responses, they need to be trained on enormous datasets from across the internet, and the internet isn’t always a friendly place. Violent, disturbing, and deeply inappropriate content exists in abundance, and someone has to sift through it to make sure AI doesn’t replicate or repeat it.
That someone? Often low-paid human content moderators.
Take Nairobi, Kenya, for example. Contractors there, hired by companies like Sama (who previously worked with OpenAI), were reportedly paid as little as $2 an hour to moderate some of the internet’s worst content, including graphic violence and sexual abuse, day in and day out. Many of these moderators were university graduates in computer science or IT. Yet they faced brutal working conditions with little support, leading to anxiety, depression, and PTSD-like symptoms.
Big tech companies like Meta have also faced lawsuits over similar issues. In 2023, content moderators in Kenya formed the African Content Moderators Union to advocate for better conditions. It was a move that forced the world to look a bit more closely at who’s really paying the price for “clean” AI.
Ethical tech isn’t just about algorithms
But it’s not just about the people behind the screens. There are ethical concerns buried deep in the supply chains too.
Take cobalt, for instance, a crucial component in the batteries that power our smartphones, laptops, and the massive data centres behind AI. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, children as young as 10 are working in hazardous conditions in artisanal mines to extract this precious metal.
The takeaway? Ethics in AI isn’t just about building fair algorithms, it’s about understanding the full impact of the technologies we use and the human cost behind the convenience.
For today’s business leaders, critical thinking means looking beyond the surface and questioning the entire ecosystem. Who’s affected? Who benefits? And what can we do differently?
The hidden cost you can’t see: Cognitive debt
It’s not only external costs we need to worry about. There’s also something quietly happening inside our own heads.
According to research from MIT, highlighted by psychiatrist Dr Marlynn Wei, the more we rely on AI to help us think, the less we actually use key areas of our brain. That includes regions responsible for memory, attention, and executive function.
This phenomenon has been dubbed “cognitive debt”, a gradual mental decline caused by over-reliance on AI tools. It’s convenient, yes. But there’s a price: the slow erosion of our critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
In other words, if we lean too heavily on AI to make decisions or generate ideas, we may lose the ability to think clearly and independently without it. That’s a serious problem, especially for professionals and leaders who need to cut through complexity, make tough calls, and drive innovation.
What skills will actually matter in the AI era?
Here’s the good news: not everything can (or should) be done by AI. The most valuable skills in an AI-driven world aren’t technical. They’re deeply human.
Think:
- Critical thinking
- Ethical decision-making
- Creativity
- Adaptability
These are the capabilities that no algorithm can replicate, and ironically, they’re also the ones most at risk of fading if we don’t actively nurture them.
For businesses and teams, future-proofing means doubling down on these skills now. That means investing in professional development that combines technological fluency with independent thinking.
So, what now?
AI is here to stay. But how we choose to integrate it into our lives and workplaces matters.
The hidden price of progress reminds us that adopting AI isn’t just about saving time or boosting productivity. It’s about making informed, ethical decisions, and protecting the human qualities that machines simply can’t replace.
From the silent struggles of content moderators to the risk of cognitive decline, these challenges demand a new kind of leadership: one rooted in responsibility, reflection, and foresight.
Where Masterstart comes in
At MasterStart, the focus is on building exactly these future-fit skills. Their Problem Solving and Critical Thinking course helps professionals sharpen their judgement and avoid over-reliance on automation. Meanwhile, Leading with Impact empowers leaders to guide their teams through digital change with confidence and purpose.
With a strong focus on ESG principles and responsible leadership, MasterStart equips businesses to balance innovation with ethical, sustainable decision-making.
By investing in these skills today, organisations can ensure they’re not just keeping up with technology, they’re building a digital future that still puts people first.
