Harnessing AI requires more than technology - it demands human insight, future-ready skills, and conscious leadership. Here's how..

Artificial Intelligence (AI) stands as both our potential saviour and a formidable threat. The choice is ours, yet our instincts, honed over millions of years for survival, bias us toward fear-driven decisions. Our brains, wired for survival and reproduction, struggle to adapt to the digital revolution that has surged in just a century. As physicist Niels Bohr said about Quantum Physics, “If you’re not shocked by it, you haven't understood it - The same expression of awe can be said about the advent of AI. Its implications are quite profound.

Unconscious Bias, unconscious processing...

Outdated political and cultural frameworks still shackle our education, health, and well-being - stifling free thought and systemic evolution. In contrast, AI, unburdened by inherited bias (unless programmed into it), holds the potential to pursue truth relentlessly - if we allow it. As Demis Hassabis of Google’s DeepMind observes, “Our formal conditioning and training often lead us astray, down many blind alleys, but as Demis concludes, AI can reveal clearer and better pathways.

A tsunami of technologies - AI, IoT, Blockchain - propels us forward, leaving no return to our primal past. We must evolve or face devolution (even extinction), especially with humanity’s arsenal of self-destructive tools like nuclear and biological weapons. Our greatest threat, though, is not so obvious - The conformist tools we have invented to systematically control society can prevent progressive evolution from happening, we could take humankind at least potentially to a new level of comprehension. As an optimist, I believe that we are headed towards a brighter future of harmony and peace. AND I am not alone.

Even in times of peace, we are not well. The next generation bears the cost - through war, through hunger, and the silent crisis of feeling abandoned. These are not isolated tragedies; they are symptoms of a world that has forgotten how to care.

Let’s pause for a moment and confront the darker side of humanity. Wars are still being waged. Our most precious resource - the next generation - is being sacrificed. Even in the most peaceful nations, we face hunger, despair, and the quiet epidemic of self-destruction goes unabated. What about suicide? It’s not just a personal tragedy - it’s a societal failure. A signal that something deep within our systems isn't working. Perhaps we should consider how we might improve matters? Empathy in Education.

Suicide is on the increase all over the world - the second most common form of death amongst our young people. Perhaps AI offers hope..

Here are a few examples where AI can have a health benefit to our children's thinking. According to the New York Times, our ability to spot suicide tendencies in young people is limited by our lack of understanding or prediction of who is going to self-harm. There is no certain way of assessing this outcome until now, until the advent of AI.

The Crisis Text Line is a suicide prevention hotline in which people communicate through texting instead of phone calls. AI technology has analysed more than 100 million texts. You might think that words like 'suicide' or 'die' might indicate who is the most vulnerable? In fact it is words like 'ibuprofen' or crying emoticons that indicate the most urgent cases, they are up to 14 times more likely to self-harm or take suicidal action.

Many words are frequently used, such as ‘always’ or ‘never’ or ‘anymore’ to indicate stress. There are also the tones that can help us identify vulnerable people. The use of phone texts, where there is a staccato of expressions rather than a continuous flow of communication, is also giving AI algorithms that to help identify the people most needing help. 

When we worked with counsellors at the Samaritans, they had to very quickly assess the risk in the conversations they had. With this type of information, they could stand a better chance of identifying those who need the most help, especially in relation to young people.

Did you know for instance, that research reveals that children respond better to Avatars than humans? This presents a whole new wave of opportunities for the role of AI in education. Rather than ask yourself why this fact indicates a liking for Avatars, we perhaps should be asking why we don’t respond as well to human interaction?

AI is not a panacea for everything, but if we do not learn how to overcome our prejudices, unconscious bias and fears, we may be stuck in outdated forms of a one-size-fits-all type of education.

I can visualise a day when we get the best out of our children by allowing them to learn at their own pace and for each child to feel free to express themselves with respect and integrity for themselves and others. Our education system can and should be customised for every individual; we should get rid of this idea of treating children like automatons that are all exactly the same. One size fits all does not work. Machine learning (AI) will be able to identify and monitor the educational needs of children, where the gaps in learning are, so that teachers can put in the resources, like nurturing and moral guidance, that the child needs to have a voice and reach their full potential, not just in education, but in life.

Even in times of peace, we know we are not well. The next generation bears the cost — through war, through hunger, and through the silent crisis of suicide. These are not isolated tragedies; they are symptoms of a world that has forgotten how to care.

Imagine an education system where AI tailors learning to each child’s pace, identifying gaps and unlocking potential. With IoT and cloud-based platforms like the Innovation Matrix, based on Systems Thinking and Creative Intelligence, students can learn globally, unshackled from physical classrooms. Teachers, then, freed from rote instruction, can nurture emotional intelligence, critical thinking, and safe community values. AI-driven avatars and EEG headsets or the equivalent - could integrate with Wikipedia or Google via thought alone, raising profound questions about the environmental engagement, ecology and community self-management. Tan Le, of Emotiv, envisions brainwave technology enhancing neuroplasticity, tailoring experiences - like calming music - for individual needs, optimising inner health, well-being and enhanced learning.

Maybe the answers we are seeking can come from an unlikely (Unconscious) source?

Neurotechnology’s potential is vast. In Houston, our algorithms decoded scientists’ subconscious thoughts, sparking 100s of new innovative patents and new Business Models. Pranav Yadav, CEO of Neuro-Insights, note that decisions originate subconsciously; AI can illuminate these, as it did in Houston. Texas with scientists - fostering greater clarity. The Innovation Matrix, a cloud-based visualisation tool, filters data to prevent overload, empowering users to focus on what really matters. The opportunity to combine AI with human(e) values is within our grasp. As Adam Stafford describes it in a business growth and ethical context, "It's an absolute goldmine for innovation, personal and community growth.” see video below

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xswSzVlSBEQ&ab_channel=StrawberryFields

We stand at a crossroads - AI, IoT, and Blockchain can democratize power, embedding integrity and compassion into society. Our Awareness Project (awarenessproject.co.uk) aims to harness these technologies for education, mental health, and workforce readiness, counteracting fear with enlightenment. Through videos, blogs, and an avatar-driven forum akin to Crisis Text Line, we support vulnerable individuals. Our Transformational Digital Leadership courses will prepare industries for the Fourth Industrial Age, addressing how AI can liberate creativity to help provide healing for mental health growth and for unforeseen challenges.

Making the unconscious conscious - our work with Scientists in Houston and Amsterdam to help with Leadership and Innovation

Beyond marketing, Yadav envisions a broader mission to “make the subconscious conscious,” empowering individuals to understand that their motivations can enhance their work presence and their well-being. He advocates for neurotechnology’s potential in education and health, aligning with innovations like our Innovation Matrix for personalised learning. His philosophy emphasises empathy, excellence, and societal progress through compassion and empathic technology.

Additional context from web sources clarifies that the Innovation (Darwin) Matrix, created by Strawberry Fields, is a diagnostic and innovation process used by top business schools, Start-ups and companies like Shell. It facilitates brainstorming, teamwork, and the creation of innovative solutions by mapping out strategies and exposing untruths and unseen connections. In essence, the Innovation Matrix is a strategic tool that leverages AI and data analytics to streamline decision-making, foster collaboration, and drive innovation across multiple sectors.

Can we create Innovations for Scientists through Trigger Words and Emotions? The answer is a resounding YES - Why? because we bypass the Gatekeeper and utilise 'Whole Brain' Thinking...

The conscious mind often filters ideas through logic and habit. Trigger words and emotions act below the surface - the subconscious - like catalysts (guided missiles) - they disrupt the filter and jolt the unconscious into action. It’s like pressing a hidden switch. They unlock nonlinear connections that weren’t accessible through rational thinking. Stimulus > Unconscious Processing >Lucid Revelation. We create the conditions for the 'Eurekas' to surface (like Psychological Safety). The Innovation Matrix is Systems Thinking, Emotional Intelligence and Creative Stimulus in Action.

"The Innovation Matrix process helped enormously with our Ambitious Business Challenges and the launch of Shell Global Solutions, the process is genius in that it unravels and provokes new solutions," Dr Allan Samuel. Innovation and Research Scientist, Business Development, Shell Global Solutions.

So, where do we stand? Where do we go from here?

We Build Ethical Alignment

To collaborate, we need: AI aligned with human values (not just metrics), Transparent AI decisions + feedback loops. That means Diverse and empathic voices shaping AI (not just tech elites).

Humanity Must Stay Human(e) - Collaboration works best when humans lead with compassion and consciousness, and AI supports with diagnostic capabilities.

AI should amplify creativity, compassion, and critical thinking - not automate us out of relevance

Align Technology with Integrity - Integrated Systems Theory

Build AI that serves all - not the few. Diversity, ethics, and transparency should be enhanced

We offer free insights and mentorship to the underprivileged and destitute - anywhere in the world. Our work empowers individuals with Systems Mastery, Creative Intelligence, and Emotional Intelligence - unlocking multidimensional learning across sectors like Quantum Physics, Space Technologies, Governance, and beyond. The implications are profound: not just for education, but for elevation. Not charity, but transformation.

Education: Adaptive Learning + Human Mentorship - Tailored education + deeper student Human Empathy + AI Diagnosis

• Human Role: Coaches mindset, builds confidence, promotes self-management and supports awareness and emotional development.
• AI Benefit: Personalises learning speed and style (e.g. Khan Academy).

Health and Learning - Faster diagnosis + emotionally intelligent care.

• Human Role: Delivers the means to understand and decipher news, explains options, and comforts patients.
• AI Benefit: Detects cancer, retinal disease, or heart conditions earlier than most doctors (e.g. DeepMind, IBM Watson).

Agriculture: AI Drones + Human Farmers - Higher yields, lower waste, more sustainable (generative) farming.

• Human Role: Decides what action to take, how to adapt based on local and shared global knowledge.
• AI Benefit: Uses drones + quantum sensors (satellites) to spot crop disease, optimise irrigation, reduce pesticide use.

Creativity: AI Tools + Human Vision - Creators work faster, explore more ideas, break creative blocks using Psychological safety

• Human Role: Curates, refines, expands our imagination - and injects meaning and story into the human experience.
• AI Benefit: generates melodies, visuals, scripts, or video concepts. helps to explore inner realities that shape our motivations and expectations.

Engineering & Design: AI Simulation + Human Intuition - Safer, better designs created faster.

• Human Role: Selects based on ethics, usability, aesthetics, and purpose.
• AI Benefit: Tests thousands of prototypes (e.g. aircraft, architecture).

Crisis Response: AI Pattern Detection + Human Judgment - Faster, smarter crisis response.

• Human Role: Mobilises resources, interprets context, leads with unfettered imagination
• AI Benefit: Detects disease outbreaks, untruths, misinformation, or natural disasters early via data. Explores future scenerios

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM MBA PROGRAMME "John ran the Entrepreneurship MBA course. His Innovation (Creative) Matrix for Competitive Advantage course was mandatory for All of our MBA students. John gave an excellent presentation at the Global Entrepreneurship Summit." Jonathan Michie, former Director, Professor of Innovation and Knowledge Exchange at the University of Oxford.

"John's course didn’t just teach me - it rewired me.” Hamdi Youssef, MBA student.

"This highly creative process can make a real difference to our young people's lives and their wellbeing." Sir Ken Robinson

“The answer is there to all our problems; we just need to look at them with different lenses. For me this process is the future of learning, the next Big thing in Leadership.” Afzal Shah, Director, Young Foundation.

"This process has a powerful influence on our children's confidence in business and their abilities in critical thinking and solving problems." David Graham, Director, Young Enterprise.

“It’s a most powerful process that could help our young people out of poverty and ignorance and so create a better world.” Sir Tim Smit, Founder and Creator of the Eden Project

http://moonshotechs.com/ A Global Platform (Moonshot Initiative) dedicated to shaping the Future for our young people, helping them to have enhanced tech, interpersonal, sustainability and creative awareness skills.🚀 Serendipity with Ministry of Creativity Basel. Switzerland.

Unconscious (Emotional) Processing - a Revelation

"The Innovation Matrix process helped enormously with our Ambitious Business Challenges and the launch of Shell Global Solutions, the process is genius in that it unravels and provokes new solutions," Dr Allan Samuel. Innovation and Research Scientist, Business Development, Shell Global Solutions.

John Is a Fellow of the Information Physics Institute. Fellow of the Lunar Society, Birmingham. John is also a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. If you wish to know more about Emotional Intelligence and 'behavioural science' and its implications in decision making and AI - get in touch! Our 'unconscious emotional processing' - where better decisions emerge (case studies and research) could prove invaluable and pivotal for Nation-States. That includes 'Enhanced Learning' for its citizens, youngsters and Society as a whole.

Collaborating with Systems Dynamics partners across Lithuania, Finland, Denmark, and Germany - primarily through leading universities and in government circles. Exciting announcements are on the horizon in the UK. Stay in touch.

We are currently helping to empower and Mentor Education Initiatives, uploading essential skills to harness AI for Coaches in India, the Middle East, Latin America and parts of Europe. If you are interested in our Mentoring programme - reach out. We mentor one Leader for instance, who mentors another 20. It is certified and monitored for progress enhancement through compassion and AI.

"I’m a committed advocate for gender equality - especially women’s leadership - and children’s rights, working with the United Nations to turn these ideas into global realities. Together with like-minded Leaders, we’re shaping a more just, compassionate, and inclusive world, navigating bias - one that transcends borders and serves all of humanity." JR

Technology works best when it brings people together. We support and run Free workshops for Girls Learning in Quantum to help address the balance of Learning Equity. We know it is a long path - but if we do not start and do something, who will? https://girlsinquantum.com/

Please feel free to help and register your interest in our movement at horizonpraxis.com or DM john.rainford@strawberryfields.com

If you want to know how life will change over the next 50 years, go to this link...

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/story-how-hidden-truths-emerge-from-working-some-john-3zrfe

🙏🏽 John Rainford.