Antonym: The Get Better Faster Edition

Save yourself from critical sinking.

“The better we get at getting better, the faster we will get better.”
— Douglas Engelbart

Dear Reader

Even as our attention is dazzled by tech launches and political news flashes, there is one thing that remains a priority: developing your personal AI literacy.

Yes, this is something I say a lot. I’ve written a paper and given talks. But I’m saying it again.

My company’s service is accelerating AI adoption and innovation for organisations of all kinds, from global food corporations to regional care home charities. But we do not work with anyone before they have established a base of AI literacy and preferably a practice among their leaders of developing that literacy further.

Because we are still early in this revolution, it means we run a lot of sessions with people establishing a foundation level of literacy and, more importantly, the skills and motivation to develop their own practice.

“It’s not training - it’s transformation,” we sometimes say. You’re not here to learn how to operate ChatGPT, or Claude or Gemini as tools. Apart from anything, those things keep changing every other week at least. You’re here to grasp how your brilliant mind can work with these strange new machine-thinking models to think faster, think further, think new things.

The benefits – the new processes and chatbots and planning tools that take 80% of the task away from – is what you get from discovery and innovation. And to do either of those effectively requires establishing a regular personal and team use of AI and learning, leading to a growing understanding of the possibilities and limitations – if only for now – of AI.

Like the joke about the New Yorker asked for directions – “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” – the answer to “How can we do x with AI?” is always “Practice”.

Getting better faster

This letter opened with a quote from Douglas Engelbart.

Douglas who?

Douglas Englebart is geek-famous for inventing the computer mouse, a device that meant you didn’t get RSI from mashing keys to get from one bit of text on a computer screen to another. This was the 1960s, when text was pretty much all there was on a computer screen.

Having a mouse made it easier to imagine clicking on icons and having a graphical user interface (GUI), which is what everyone has seen when they turn on a computer since the 1990s.

Doug thought a lot about how our minds would be able to do more when they had computers to help them do things quicker. He saw a little further than most.

The quote about “getting better faster” echoes the kind of flywheel, the exponential curve of possibility at the individual level that happens when you throw yourself into learning how your mind works with AI.

It’s not one smooth acceleration into the future, though. Not at all. There are some big warning lights flashing that you shouldn’t ignore, as we learn about learning with AI.

Critical sinking

There’s a rush when you begin to realise what you can do with AI, but you must not get drunk on it.

There are studies suggesting that use of AI lowers the critical thinking skills of users.

This calls back to the OG study of productivity with AI, described in the “Jagged Frontier” paper, which compared the work of groups of consultants at Boston Consulting Group (BCG). While the study showed that productivity and quality of outputs among the people in the groups using ChatGPT-4 were higher than the control group without AI, they also spotted some side-effects. Users of AI became more trusting of the AI systems over time and “fell asleep at the wheel”, failing to spot errors in the AI output.

I’ve experienced this myself – and it has jolted me back into being more careful with AI responses to questions.

Hence the inclusion of critical thinking in the definition in our paper and other definitions of AI literacy:

AI literacy is an evolving set of skills, including critical thinking, knowing the limitations of AI systems, the ability to assess their outputs and understanding where they can complement or enhance human cognition and expertise in a given field.It's the ability to understand, evaluate and use artificial intelligence systems and tools in a responsible, ethical and effective way.

Check the work. Show your work.

Here’s an example of avoiding letting your critical thinking slip: reasoning models. Reasoning models, AI systems that prompt themselves to do a better job of answering your questions.

You learn about prompts. Then you realise you can use prompts to help you learn about prompts. Then you see that reasoning models think out loud about how to prompt and you can do one of two things:

1. Let them get on with it and be delighted that you never have to learn about that bit of prompting.

2. Check their work. DeepSeek’s reasoning and ChatGPT-o1 and o3 let you see how they get to their answer.

Here’s an example of DeepSeek “thinking” about how to explain critical thinking (I’ve pasted the whole of the reasoning it used at the foot of this newsletter:

Checking the work of an AI goes back to a metaphor you may have heard before: that working with an AI is like having a bright, enthusiastic intern. The fact they are clever and fast doesn’t necessarily mean they will get everything right, as they don’t have the same deep domain knowledge or nuanced understanding of how your field works. You need to check their work.

Checking the work means you can spot where they are making incorrect assumptions. But sometimes – and this is wonderful – it can also make you realise where your own assumptions and habits of thought mean you have missed things.

This is where the intern paradigm breaks. Having AI check your own work can be humbling and thrilling. For a simple example of this, I recommend taking a piece of writing, any kind of writing (that doesn’t have sensitive data in it) and putting it into Lex.Page, a writing app.

Here’s an example of the free tier version of Lex starting with criticism of an early draft of this newsletter.

“Uneven in its flow and execution”. Ouch. But you should see the pro level criticism. It’s like going back to school. But that’s no bad thing.

Critical thinking about thinking means putting a spotlight on how machines think, but even more so about how we do.

Like Douglas Engelbart said, “The better we get at getting better, the faster we will get better.”

ChatGPT aces its Superbowl debut

Antonym doesn’t usually comment on Superbowl ads, but this year I was at a watch party with clients in Chicago. It was actually the first time I watched a game live, and it really was the case that the game was a diversion between bouts of the real competition: ads. Superbowl ads at $8 million a pop for the media alone, aren’t just about the attention they gain in the moment. They have commercial and cultural significance beyond the event itself. Shows of commercial strength, strategic intent and many other agendas besides.

Jason Aten writing for Inc. summarises the show-down between spots for Google Gemini and ChatGPT:

To be fair, Google had a very good ad this year, highlighting how a dad used Gemini to prepare for a job interview. Seriously, it’s a very good ad, and it highlights a real-world use case that makes AI tangible for people. But it’s still not clear how many people are going to use their phone to practice for a job interview. It was touching, but I’m not sure it’s realistic.

OpenAI’s ad, on the other hand, told the story of human innovation and connected it to AI, without trying to make you think about specific ways you’ll use it. It just wanted you to think about what is coming. OpenAI managed to position AI as the continuation of human progress, and made you want to be a part of it.

I agree with Aten’s analysis, but will add one thing: I suspect that most Superbowl viewers are not watchin in solemn silence. I was in a noisy bar, but even at home a lot of people will be at noisy “watch parties”. The Google Gemini ad was excellent as a standalone piece of work (lots of emosh interlaced with product features), but much better when you saw it afterwards with full sound. The ChatGPT ad looked visually innovative and captivated while being simple – there’s a Twitter thread here about its making – at the and told a story you follow without hearing dialogue.

That’s all for this week…

Thank you for reading, and if you enjoyed it please leave a like by hitting the 🤍 to make it ❤️.

See you next week,

Antony

---

Appendix: an example of DeepSeek’s reasoning before it gives an answer:

Prompt:

Explain the concept of critical thinking to a bright 16 year old with examples of how they can develop the skill in their daily life.

Reasoning (DeepSeek thinking out loud)

Okay, so I need to explain critical thinking to a 16-year-old. Let's start by understanding what critical thinking is. From what I remember, it's about analyzing information objectively and making reasoned judgments. But how do I put that in simpler terms? Maybe use examples they can relate to.

First, define critical thinking. Maybe compare it to being a detective, looking at clues and not taking things at face value. That could make it more engaging. Then, think about daily life examples. School projects, social media, conversations with friends. How can a teenager apply critical thinking there?

For instance, when they see a post on social media, instead of just sharing it, they should check the source, see if other places are reporting the same thing. That's evaluating information. Also, when making decisions, like buying something expensive, they should compare options, read reviews, think about needs vs. wants.

Wait, maybe break it down into steps? Like ask questions, gather information, consider different perspectives, and then decide. That could structure the explanation. Also, mention avoiding biases, like confirmation bias. Maybe use an example where they only listen to opinions that match theirs and how critical thinking helps challenge that.

How about examples in school? Like when writing an essay, they need to support arguments with evidence, not just opinions. Or in science class, forming a hypothesis and testing it. Group projects could involve listening to others' ideas and finding the best solution together.

Also, problem-solving in daily life. If their phone battery is draining fast, instead of just complaining, they could check which apps are using the most power, look up solutions, test different fixes. That's applying critical thinking.

Maybe include questions they can ask themselves, like "Why do I believe this?" or "What evidence supports this?" Encouraging curiosity and skepticism, but in a constructive way. Emphasize that it's not about being negative, but about seeking the truth.

Hmm, need to make sure the examples are relatable. Social media, schoolwork, personal decisions. Maybe mention debates with friends, where considering opposing views makes the discussion more informed. Also, in hobbies, like if they're into sports or arts, analyzing their performance and figuring out how to improve.

I should also address that critical thinking takes practice, like a muscle. Start small, maybe with verifying a fact before sharing it, or discussing a news article with friends. Encourage them to not rush to conclusions and be open to changing their mind with new information.

Wait, should I mention logical fallacies? Maybe briefly, like an example of an ad hominem attack in an argument, and how recognizing that helps in evaluating the argument's validity. But keep it simple.

Also, problem-solving steps: identify the problem, gather info, evaluate options, choose the best solution, reflect on the outcome. Applying that to real-life scenarios they might face.

I need to structure this explanation clearly. Start with a definition, why it's important, then practical steps/examples. Use everyday situations they encounter. Keep the tone encouraging, showing that critical thinking empowers them to make better decisions and understand the world better.

Check if there's anything I'm missing. Maybe mention creativity as part of critical thinking? Sometimes, thinking outside the box is necessary. Or the difference between critical thinking and just criticizing. Emphasize the constructive aspect.

Examples: Evaluating a TikTok challenge's safety before participating, deciding which college courses to take based on research and interests, fact-checking a viral story, etc. These are all relevant to a 16-year-old.

Also, how to develop the skill: practice questioning assumptions, engage in debates, play strategy games, read diverse sources, reflect on decisions. Maybe suggest activities like journaling their thought processes or discussing topics with people who have different viewpoints.

Okay, I think that covers the main points. Now, organize it in a way that's easy to follow, with clear examples and actionable advice. Make sure it's engaging and not too technical. Use relatable analogies and encourage active application in their daily life.

Answer:

Critical Thinking Explained: Your Superpower for Smart Decisions

What is Critical Thinking?
Imagine you're a detective in a mystery movie. Critical thinking is your toolkit to solve puzzles by questioning clues, analyzing evidence, and not believing everything you hear at face value. It’s about being curious, open-minded, and logical to make informed choices.

Why It Matters
In a world full of social media, peer pressure, and endless information, critical thinking helps you navigate wisely. It’s not about being negative—it’s about seeking truth and making better decisions.

How to Practice Daily (With Examples!)

1. Question Everything

   • Example: See a viral post claiming “Scientists say chocolate cures headaches!” Ask: Who are these scientists? Is there a study? Check reliable sources like .edu or .gov sites before sharing.

2. Spot Bias (Including Your Own)

   • Example: You’re convinced a new app is safe because your friend says so. Pause—ask: Is there data on privacy? Could my trust in my friend be clouding my judgment?

3. Decide Like a Pro

   • Example: Saving up for a guitar? Don’t just buy the first one you see. Compare prices, read reviews, and ask: Do I need this now, or can I wait for a sale?

4. Embrace “Why?” in School

   • Essay Writing: Instead of stating “Climate change is bad,” ask: What evidence shows its impact? How do experts explain it? Use data, not just opinions.

   • Science Class: Test hypotheses. If your plant isn’t growing, is it due to light, water, or soil? Experiment and track results.

5. Navigate Social Situations

   • Example: Friends pressure you to join a risky challenge. Think: What are the consequences? Is there a safer way to have fun?

6. Play Devil’s Advocate

   • Debates: If arguing about school uniforms, consider both sides. Do they really promote equality, or limit self-expression? This builds empathy and sharper reasoning.

7. Reflect on Mistakes

   • Example: Failed a test? Instead of blaming the teacher, ask: Did I study effectively? What topics did I misunderstand? Adjust your strategy next time.

Grow Your Skills

• Read Widely: Follow news from different perspectives (e.g., compare BBC and Al Jazeera on the same event).

• Play Strategy Games: Chess, Sudoku, or even video games like Portal train your brain to solve problems step-by-step.

• Journal Thoughts: Write down decisions (“Why did I choose this?”) and review them weekly.

• Discuss with Diverse People: Talk to someone with opposing views—listen first, then respectfully challenge ideas.

Remember: Critical thinking is like a muscle—it gets stronger with practice. Start small, stay curious, and watch how it transforms your ability to tackle life’s challenges! 🧠✨