How our primal intelligence gives us an edge over AI

Angus Fletcher says our capacity for creativity and flexibility gives humans a leg up when it comes to competing with artificial intelligence.

He calls this uniquely human trait “primal intelligence,” which is the ability to activate our intuition, imagination, emotions and common sense.

Our brains, he says, are not computers, and intelligence requires far more than logic, patterns and data to solve problems. He believes that storytelling is humans true superpower, especially in an uncertain world.

Fletcher trained as a neuroscientist and studied literature and combined the two as a professor at Ohio State University’s Project Narrative.

His new book, Primal Intelligence, is about what he learned working with U.S. Army Special Operations. For instance, role-playing can reduce anxiety and activate the imagination. He joins us to discuss the art and science of human potential.