Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become integral to our lives, influencing various industries and day-to-day activities. But did you know there’s more than one way to think about AI? Just as humans have diverse personalities, AI can be categorized into different AI archetypes, each with strengths and characteristics.

This guide will explore the five main AI archetypes to help you understand which best matches your approach and needs. Whether you’re a tech enthusiast, a business leader, or just curious about AI, discovering your AI archetype can provide valuable insights into how you interact with and leverage artificial intelligence in your daily life.

What Are the 5 AI Archetypes?

In some leadership positions, you might not always have complete control over the people you need to work with. You must collaborate across different functions, teams, vendors, stakeholders, and consultants. When starting out, getting familiar with the five AI archetypes is crucial to handling these situations effectively.

These archetypes represent different personality types you might meet, their behaviors, and how they could impact your project. You’ll learn who they are, what they generally do, and how to work with them to keep your project on track. As the leader, you’ll need to keep an eye on this and decide who to spend time with and how to run meetings to be as productive and positive as possible. Not being careful in these initial conversations can ruin your project from the start.

Choosing the right people for these talks is crucial to ensure a successful AI journey for you and your company. Like in family gatherings, where some members cause drama, and others bring happiness, you’ll find similar dynamics here. Let’s explore the different personality types, habits, contributions, and the best ways to interact with them.

The Naysayer

The Naysayer is one of the most accessible types to spot. They often say things like “I don’t think so,” or “yeah but” or “I don’t think that will work.” These people tend to dampen your AI project’s enthusiasm because they quickly point out problems before looking for solutions.

They’re easy to recognize since they don’t shy away from sharing their negative opinions, regardless of how they affect the project or their colleagues. When working with Naysayers, you should keep them out of discussions about your AI vision, mission, overall strategy, and the AI use-case selection process. However, start involving them in some design and requirements sessions, and let them review your designs and solutions. The reason? Naysayers are great at spotting issues.

They will naturally point out flaws and question any assumptions, theories, or processes, providing a valuable reality check. This feedback can help you identify blind spots early on, strengthening your project in the long run.

The Evangelist

The Evangelist is the cheerleader of your team, spreading positive vibes and enthusiasm everywhere they go. This person is essential to your AI projects and should be involved in as many critical discussions as possible. Instead of saying “no,” they focus on “how,” always looking for solutions and keeping their motivation high, even when tired. They help keep the team energized and are ready to tackle any challenge that comes up.

Involve The Evangelist in your AI vision, mission, and strategy sessions and brainstorm AI use cases. While they can contribute significantly to design discussions, be cautious about involving them in detailed design or technical solution meetings, as these can drain their energy. It’s essential to protect their enthusiasm to continue inspiring the team.

Limit their role in routine status updates, bringing them in primarily when the team needs their strategic input and decision-making skills. This approach helps preserve their energy, allowing them to be at their best when it counts the most.

The Doer

The Doer is the backbone of your team. They consistently show up, take on responsibilities, and stay accountable for their work and actions no matter what. They deliver results without needing constant supervision and are often the silent force driving your business forward. Their role is crucial to the success of your AI project.

When involving The Doer, avoid including them in high-level AI strategy and use-case discussions, as these are too abstract for them. Instead, they should be brought into design discussions because they must understand the context to do their job well. They’ll thrive when discussing business and technical requirements and solutions because they love details. Keep them engaged in decision-making processes, as being involved is very important to them.

It’s also essential to celebrate their milestones. Although The Doer tends to be quiet, they appreciate being recognized and thanked for their work. Acknowledging their contributions throughout the project will motivate them to continue performing at their best.

The Discerner

The Discerner is always curious and likes to understand the reasons and objectives behind ideas. They can distinguish between well-thought-out plans and fleeting thoughts with a sharp intuition. Though they might seem like Naysayers initially, Discerners want to ensure ideas are well-considered before moving forward. They care deeply about the team’s success.

However, their constant questioning can be tiring, and your team might sometimes find them frustrating. Involve The Discerner in discussions about your AI vision, mission, and strategy, as they will help you clarify details and ensure you’re considering every aspect. They should also participate in AI use-case discussions to thoroughly evaluate all ideas.

Consider including them in design discussions and status meetings, as their questions could slow progress. It’s best to keep them out of solutions, deep dives, and deployment processes to avoid unnecessary delays.

The Blind

The Blind person seems unaware and uninterested in the project. They attend meetings but rarely engage, often multitasking and not paying attention. This lack of interest makes it clear that they don’t care about the project’s goals or outcomes. They’re only around because it’s just another project that has gotten some attention for them.

It’s best to keep this person from your project altogether, as involving them can waste time and drain your energy. However, if you must include them, allow them to attend meetings on an optional basis, but don’t rely on them for any contributions or assign them essential tasks.

Manage Your Expectations

In summary, understanding the personality types among the five AI archetypes is crucial for recognizing the different members of your AI team. This insight helps you work with them efficiently and maximize their individual traits.

The main objective is to kick-start your project smoothly and ensure your team doesn’t become an unnoticed obstacle. Recognizing these personalities lets you set realistic expectations, collaborate better, anticipate each person’s contributions, and appreciate their unique characteristics. This way, you can avoid daily frustrations and unnecessary learning curves on the job.

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Adapted with permission from the publisher, Wiley, from Your AI Survival Guide: Scraped Knees, Bruised Elbows, and Lessons Learned from Real-World AI Deployments by Sol Rashidi. Copyright © 2024 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. All rights reserved. This book is available wherever books and eBooks are sold.