Thinking with AI
Steven Campbell-Harris
As a philosopher, facilitator, and writer, Steven specialises in helping businesses and professionals unlock their full potential by improving how they think. At The School of Life and Philosophy at Work, he empowers individuals and teams to solve problems more effectively, make better decisions, and work more cohesively. His sessions are designed to be practical and engaging, offering actionable insights that participants can immediately apply to their work and lives.
In addition to his work with businesses, Steven is a Senior Specialist and Teacher Trainer with The Philosophy Foundation, bringing philosophy into schools, as well as a teacher of Philosophy at the London Academy of Excellence. He also writes a regular column for The Philosopher’s Magazine.
- Recording: Yes
- Language: English
- Duration: 45 min / 15 min
Session Summary
Generative AI is transforming knowledge work. But while the technology feels revolutionary, the underlying challenge is not new. Throughout history, every major cognitive tool- from writing and the printing press to calculators and the Internet- has extended human capability while changing the way we think. AI is simply the latest chapter in that story. This interactive talk explores one of the defining challenges of the AI era: how do we use AI without outsourcing the judgment that makes us effective?
Drawing on philosophy, cognitive psychology and the latest research into AI, participants discover how AI can be used as a thinking partner to challenge assumptions, expose blind spots and improve decision-making - while avoiding the risks of bias, over-reliance and the gradual erosion of independent judgement.
Rather than asking, "How can AI do our work?", this session asks a more important question: "How can AI make us better thinkers?"
Interaction
During the expert session, Steven Campbell-Harris engages the audience through interactive exercises, Q&A sessions, and live demonstrations.
Key Learnings
- Use AI as a Thinking Partner: Learn practical techniques for using AI as a challenger,sounding board and perspective generator that strengthens reasoning rather than simply producing answers.
- Protect Human Judgement: Discover the Extension–Erosion Principle - a framework for understanding what technologies like AI give us, what they risk taking away, and how to preserve independent thinking.
- Make Better Decisions: Develop practical strategies to overcome cognitive bias, clarify complex problems and use AI to strengthen judgement without sacrificing intellectual autonomy.
Detailed session description
Generative AI is transforming knowledge work. But while the technology feels revolutionary, the underlying challenge is not new. Throughout history, every major cognitive tool- from writing and the printing press to calculators and the Internet- has extended human capability while changing the way we think. AI is simply the latest chapter in that story. This interactive talk explores one of the defining challenges of the AI era: how do we use AI without outsourcing the judgment that makes us effective?
Drawing on philosophy, cognitive psychology and the latest research into AI, participants discover how AI can be used as a thinking partner to challenge assumptions, expose blind spots and improve decision-making - while avoiding the risks of bias, over-reliance and the gradual erosion of independent judgement.
Rather than asking, "How can AI do our work?", this session asks a more important question: "How can AI make us better thinkers?"
Other Sessions by this Speaker
Self-directed Learning: Taking Ownership of Your Growth
In today’s fast-changing world, learning can no longer depend solely on formal training or external direction. In this session, Steven Campbell Harris explores self-directed learning as a vital skill for modern professionals. Participants discover how to take ownership of their development by identifying knowledge gaps, building motivation, challenging limiting beliefs, and creating sustainable learning habits. The session offers practical frameworks to help individuals become more adaptable, curious, and confident lifelong learners.
The Art of Asking Better Questions
We often think innovation begins with a brilliant idea, but the real breakthrough usually comes earlier. As Jonas Salk, developer of the polio vaccine, put it: ‘What people think of as the moment of discovery is really the discovery of the question’. In today’s fast-paced business environment, the pressure to react quickly often crowds out deeper thinking. Yet the leaders who create progress aren’t the ones with all the answers - they’re the ones asking better questions. This session focuses on how to move from reactive decision making to deliberate thinking. You’ll explore how asking the right question can unlock clarity, shift perspectives, and lead toyour next big breakthrough.
Problem Solving: A Practical Framework
Many of us think of our ‘problems’ in a very limiting way- as things that are broken which need to be fixed. Yet considered more broadly, a problem is just anything in our lives that could be better than it currently is. Every day we face varying problems; from simple issues such as an overflowing sink, to more difficult challenges like a strained relationship with a colleague. As the philosopher Karl Popper observed, ‘All life is problem solving.’
This session will leave you with the confidence to lean into your problems (rather than just put up with them) and equip you with clear practical tools to get started solving them straight away.
Reviews
No reviews yet.