Critical Thinking Is Your Superpower in the AI Era (And Most People Are Ignoring It
- Ray Baptiste
- Jun 12
- 2 min read
We’re living in an age where AI can write your emails, redesign your CV, and screen candidates faster than any recruiter ever could. But here’s the uncomfortable truth: If you’re not thinking critically about how and when to use these tools, you’ll either drown in a sea of automation or get outpaced by those who can. AI might be smart, but it’s not wise — and that’s where you come in.
Let’s be honest — the AI hype train is moving fast. Every day, there’s a new tool that promises to save time, make money, or do your job for you. As a recruiter and AI advisor, I see people diving into automation headfirst without stopping to ask one important question:
“Does this make sense for me, right now?”
That question — and others like it — are at the heart of critical thinking, the skill that separates successful professionals from overwhelmed ones in this AI era.
So What Is Critical Thinking, Really?
It’s not just “being smart” or sceptical. It’s the ability to:
Analyse information objectively
Ask better questions
Spot assumptions
Connect ideas across different tools or industries
Pause before pressing “generate” or “apply”
And guess what? It’s more important now than ever.
AI can generate content, but it can’t judge context.It can summarise data, but it can’t weigh consequences.It can write your job description, but it doesn’t know your company culture.
That’s your job.
A Personal Insight
I’ve been in recruitment for 30 years, and I challenge everything. Every tool. Every trend. Every “this is the future” headline. But I do it not to dismiss — I do it to learn. To grow. To teach.
When I first started testing AI tools in recruitment, I was skeptical. But by asking tough questions and applying critical thinking, I began to find real, practical use cases that genuinely helped my clients and candidates. The magic wasn’t in the tool — it was in how I used it.
Why Job Seekers and Recruiters Both Need This Skill
If you’re a job seeker, don’t just let AI write your CV and call it a day. Critically review what it says. Does it really reflect who you are and what you bring to the table? Or is it just fluffy filler?
If you’re a recruiter, don’t let AI tell you who to hire. Use it to shortlist or screen, yes. But dig deeper. Understand the nuance. Ask: What isn’t the data showing me?
Critical Thinking Is the Differentiator
The truth is, as AI becomes more widespread, the tools will level out. Everyone will eventually have access to the same platforms. The edge will come from how you think, not just what you use.
💭 What’s one AI tool you’ve used recently — and how did critical thinking help (or hurt) your experience?
👇 Let’s talk about it in the comments. I’d love to hear your thoughts.
And if you're someone who’s navigating AI in recruitment or job hunting, follow me for more practical insights, honest takes, and tools that actually work. Let’s connect and grow smarter together.
— Ray Baptiste, AI Advisor | Recruitment Specialist | Automation Evangelist
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