Call It \"Alternative Intelligence\" Instead of \"Artificial Intelligence\"

David Kaufer’s article, The Rise of Alternative Intelligence: Why I No Longer Call It Artificial Intelligence, struck a chord with me.

Why?

Because this shift in thinking perfectly aligns with how I’ve been learning, using, and developing skills in creating CustomGPTs for individuals, entrepreneurs, and small businesses.

I’ve never seen AI as a replacement for human intelligence. Instead, I see it as a powerful extension of it—something that enhances creativity, efficiency, and problem-solving in ways that weren’t possible before.

The way we talk about AI shapes how we think about it.

For years, we’ve used the term "Artificial Intelligence"—but what if that label is limiting?

It’s time for a shift.

By renaming AI as "Alternative Intelligence," we open the door to a more positive, collaborative, and psychologically empowering future.

The word "artificial" often implies something fake, inferior, or unnatural. It carries the subtle suggestion that AI is trying to replace human intelligence rather than work alongside it.

✅ But "alternative" suggests something complementary rather than competitive.

✅ It reframes AI as a partner—a different kind of intelligence that enhances human skills, much like how I’ve built CustomGPTs to support entrepreneurs, not replace them.

Imagine a world where AI isn’t viewed as an existential threat but as a collaborative tool that helps us solve problems we couldn’t tackle alone.

Many people, especially educators, creatives, and business owners, feel a growing anxiety about AI automation.

Renaming AI to Alternative Intelligence can shift this fear into opportunity by emphasizing collaboration over replacement.

• In education, this shift could encourage teachers to integrate AI into classrooms, enhancing learning instead of fearing automation.
• In creative fields, this framing helps people see AI as a co-creator, not a competitor—especially for those struggling with imposter syndrome.
• For entrepreneurs, it reinforces AI’s role as a business-enhancing tool, allowing them to scale ideas, streamline operations, and boost creativity.
  

This is exactly the perspective I take when designing CustomGPTs: AI as a strategic ally, not an adversary.

For individuals who experience imposter syndrome, AI can sometimes feel like a harsh comparison. If AI is "artificial intelligence," does that make human intelligence flawed?

By calling it Alternative Intelligence, we remove the hierarchy.

This framing:
✅ Reduces self-doubt by positioning AI as a creative tool, not a judgmental benchmark.
✅ Encourages experimentation—AI-generated ideas can be a springboard for human creativity.
✅ Helps people recognize their unique strengths—AI has computation, but humans have emotional depth and intuition.

Instead of making people feel replaceable, this perspective empowers them to use AI as a tool for self-improvement.

Changing how we talk about AI could change how we use AI.

By reframing AI as Alternative Intelligence, we:
✅ Remove fear-driven narratives.
✅ Encourage human-AI collaboration.
✅ Boost creativity and confidence.
✅ Promote ethical, responsible AI adoption.

This is exactly how I’ve been building CustomGPT solutions for individuals and businesses—not as a way to replace human effort but as a way to enhance human potential.

Language matters.

Let’s start using Alternative Intelligence and step into a future where AI works with us, not against us.

Footnote:[13] The Rise of Alternative Intelligence: Why I No Longer Call It Artificial Intelligence – David Kaufer