Make AI the Wingman to the Real AI
Over the past four years, I’ve frequently written and spoken about the concept of a “wingman” and its significance.
On August 6, 2021, I experienced firsthand the importance of having a wingman when I participated in my first NYC Seal Swim, crossing 3.1 miles from Liberty State Park, NJ, to NYC. Embracing that uncertainty, having not swum in over 40 years, diving into one of the roughest and most polluted bodies of water in the U.S.—the same river I swam in to save my life on January 15, 2009—was an intimidating challenge.
Thankfully, Suzanne, a US Navy Captain, was by my side. She stayed with me throughout the swim and the walk to the 9/11 Memorial, embodying the true meaning of being a wingman. Since then, we’ve addressed each other as “Wingman.”
Fast forward to 2025, one of the most discussed topics among companies is integrating AI into their business operations, particularly in sales.
I spent 37 years in sales and initially resisted adopting AI, instead relying on my proven “Real AI” strategy, which encompasses my “Access to Influence Strategy.” However, during a pivotal 14-month sales pursuit, I immersed myself in AI tools, quickly learning how to integrate them into my sales process.
I realized that AI would never fully replace the human expertise my clients needed. AI couldn’t interpret the nuances of our conversations, break significant news from my company, or provide the distinctions my clients required to make informed decisions.
Instead, AI became a valuable wingman to my “A to I” strategy. It assisted in uncovering market trends, educating clients, and optimizing resources, but four essential traits remain beyond AI’s capabilities:
- Desire: When challenges arise, it’s up to people—leaders, teams, and project managers—to rally and push through obstacles. AI cannot inspire or drive determination.
- Core Mission: While AI can assist with strategy development, executing the mission requires human accountability, adherence to protocols, and shared values that foster a cohesive culture.
- Outcomes: AI helps define objectives, but it’s the people on the team who deliver results and fulfill the project’s goals.
- Talent: Adapting to new technologies like AI requires human willingness to learn, improve, and align their skills with emerging trends. AI complements, but cannot replace, the authentic interactions that build team cohesion.
During that 14-month pursuit, I leveraged AI to educate stakeholders, streamline implementation, and optimize processes while ensuring my team and I maintained the personal connections and leadership necessary to meet our client’s core mission.
Ultimately, it’s about having “the right people in the right seats on the plane”—those who align with the mission, embrace the culture, and adapt to technology. This strategy enabled my team to achieve success and deliver meaningful outcomes for our clients.
And that is what happened during the Miracle on the Hudson. Passengers aligned with the mission of the day, ” no one dies today,” checked egos at the door, embraced teamwork, and adapted to changing conditions.
Humanity will always win over Bureaucracy.
Embrace uncertainty by aligning with artificial intelligence. That is your pathway to unlocking your Limitless Potential!
If you’d like to explore ways to learn how to make AI the wingman to building Authentic Interactions, please contact me at dave@davesandersonspeaks.com, and we’ll schedule a conversation