Michael Dell's famous advice has been quoted in boardrooms for decades. Try never to be the smartest person in the room. And if you are, invite smarter people or find a different room.
I've lived that quote multiple times in my career. Being the smartest person in the room meant I had to change venues, find new challenges, and surround myself with people who could push my thinking further.
But something has changed.
With AI, you never have to be the smartest person in the room again. You can ask it about your problems and learn from it. You have a world-class mentor anywhere, anytime.
That's a shift worth paying attention to. The barrier to getting expert-level input on your challenges has dropped to nearly zero. You don't need to wait for the right conference, the right introduction, or the right hire. The mentor is already there, ready to engage with whatever you're working through.
If the company you work for doesn't allow you to use AI, then yes, you should find a new place immediately. That's a different problem entirely.
A company that blocks access to these tools isn't just being cautious. They're actively limiting your growth and their own competitive edge. When your employer won't let you future-proof your skills in the AI age, it's time to ask what they're really protecting.
The old advice still holds, but the application has changed. You don't have to physically change rooms anymore. You don't have to wait for the right opportunity to meet someone smarter than you.
AI gives you instant access to a thinking partner that can challenge your assumptions, fill gaps in your knowledge, and help you work through problems you'd otherwise face alone.
So take the advice. Never be the smartest person in the room. And now, with AI, you don't have to be.
