The Strange Phase of AI

And why it’s totally normal...

I recently listened to a talk by Jon Sanei on how we can prepare ourselves for a world that’s being shaped, rapidly, by artificial intelligence.

He didn’t focus on tools or trends. He focused on us: how we think, how we feel, how we adapt.

And one thing he said hasn’t left my mind:

We’re on a journey that moves through three phases:
Sad → Strange → Adventure.

And right now, most of us are somewhere between Sad and Strange.

We have entered an era in which everything we once trusted: systems, work, identity, even time, starts to feel unfamiliar.

And that strangeness can bring resistance. But Jon reminded me (and now I’m reminding you):

Strange isn’t wrong. It’s part of the process. The only way forward is to meet it with curiosity instead of fear.

Why AI Feels So Strange Right Now….

Because it’s not just changing what we do.
It’s changing how we think, work, and relate to the world.

And that shift is also redefining how we define intelligence and success.

Once upon a time, success in the agricultural age relied on PQ—Physical Intelligence. Your strength, stamina, and physical skill determined your ability to thrive.

Then came the industrial and internet eras, where success belonged to those with high IQ. Knowledge, logic, structured thinking. Schools, degrees, and job titles all rewarded that.

But now, in this strange new world powered by AI, where ChatGPT currently has an IQ of 155 (for context, Einstein had an IQ of 160), it’s not our intelligence or knowledge that is going to matter.

It’s our ability to adapt. To unlearn and relearn, to stay agile when everything around us shifts—is what’s going to matter more than how much we know or how fit we are.

We’re entering the age where our success or ability to thrive will depend on our AQ—Adaptability Quotient.

So we need to redefine what we consider success as it’s no longer about mastery of tools or knowledge.

It’s about curiosity. Flexibility. The courage to start again - over and over - without losing your sense of self.

You’re not behind.

If you’re building a business, testing AI tools, or exploring new income streams, it can feel like you’re always learning and never arriving.

But you know what I truly believe? You don’t have to be ahead of the curve. You just have to stay in it. You don’t need to master AI. You need to stay awake and adaptable to what is has to offer.

Whether for us now, or for our children, the future generation.

We are stepping into what Jon calls a new quantum era.

A time of where we can expect to change careers, multiple times.

A time where attention is currency.

A time where technology isn’t just a tool, it’s a mirror showing us where we need to evolve.

That can feel overwhelming. Or it can feel exciting.

It all depends on how we decide to see it.

So, how are you feeling right now as we enter what will become an AI-first world? Sad, strange, or ready for the adventure?

And more importantly: How are you showing up for it?

Let’s keep talking about this.

All credit for the “Sad – Strange – Adventure” lens goes to the brilliant Jon Sanei. I’m just here reflecting on how it hits home for us—especially those of us building businesses with AI at the centre.

Always in curiosity,
Abha