When AI Outsmarted Me: A Biotech Reflection

I was born in 1995, right on the cusp of the digital age. I still remember the day my dad brought home a Nokia N90—a chunky flip phone with a camera that felt like magic. Back then, technology was this exciting, slow-moving wave I could ride. It was cool, but it didn’t overwhelm me. Fast forward to today: I’m 30, a biotech professional, and the wave has turned into a tsunami. AI isn’t just knocking on the door—it’s kicked it down and taken over the house.

Last week, I had a moment I’ll never forget. My company brought in a shiny new AI-powered device for our lab. This thing could prep 100 samples in a single minute and spit out analyzed data before I could even grab a coffee. I stood there, staring at it, a knot forming in my stomach. What used to take me and my team hours—sometimes days—was now done in a blink. The technician who prepped samples? Redundant. The R&D team crunching numbers? Outrun. It felt like AI had strolled into my world, smirked, and said, “Step aside, kid.” It didn’t just beat me at my own game—it changed the game entirely.

This isn’t some sci-fi movie plot—it’s real, and it’s not just biotech. AI is everywhere. It’s diagnosing patients faster than doctors, predicting market trends, even writing songs that could make you cry. I read recently that AI in healthcare grew by 40% in 2024 alone. In my field, it’s designing experiments that used to demand decades of human know-how. The scale of it hit me like a freight train. If AI can outdo me at what I’ve trained my whole life to do, what’s my place in this new world? What’s yours?

That question gnawed at me. At first, I was scared—terrified, really. I couldn’t sleep, wondering if I’d be obsolete by 35. But then I started to see it differently. Sure, AI is a genius at tasks—analyzing, calculating, repeating—but it’s not human. It doesn’t dream. It doesn’t feel the thrill of a breakthrough or the weight of a tough day. That’s where we shine. That’s what it can’t take from us.

So, after a week of soul-searching, I came up with a plan—not to fight AI, but to live with it. Here are three lessons I’ve learned to stay relevant in this wild, machine-driven future.

First, embrace creativity. AI is a master at following patterns, but it can’t imagine something out of thin air. In biotech, the next big leap won’t come from an algorithm—it’ll come from a human who dares to ask a question no one else has. Whatever your field, lean into what’s unique about you. Think bold, think weird, think human. AI can’t compete with that spark.

Second, double down on emotional intelligence. AI can fake a chat, but it can’t feel your pain or lift your spirits with a knowing look. In my work, I’ve seen how much people crave connection—whether it’s a teammate needing encouragement or a client seeking trust. That’s our superpower. Hone it. Listen better, speak clearer, be the heart in a room full of circuits.

Third, make AI your partner, not your enemy. I used to see it as a threat, but now I’m learning to use it. I’ve started playing with AI tools—speeding up data analysis, cutting busywork, even brainstorming ideas. The future isn’t us versus them—it’s us with them. Get curious, get hands-on, and you’ll stay ahead of the curve.

That day in the lab, AI might’ve won the round, but it didn’t win the fight. It woke me up. We’re in the middle of a revolution bigger than the internet, and it’s not waiting for us to catch up. So, I’m asking you: Where’s AI showing up in your life? Is it creeping into your job, your hobbies, your dreams? What’s it taking over, and what’s it leaving behind? We’ve got to face it head-on—not with fear, but with a plan.

I’d love to hear how you’re navigating this. Drop your thoughts below—let’s wrestle with it together. For the full scoop on my biotech wake-up call, check out my Medium article here: https://medium.com/@moh.sabaghpour/the-day-ai-beat-me-at-my-own-game-a-biotech-wake-up-call-60f1b1c618d1