We're thinking about AI wrong.
I keep noticing the same pattern: companies that treat AI as an autonomous agent that should "just figure it out" tend to be disappointed. Meanwhile, companies that treat AI as an extension of their existing workforce, an amplifier of human capability rather than a replacement, are seeing genuinely transformative results. Thats not to say that AI can't act automonously with specific tasks (see the rise of OpenClaw as a viral proof of concept), but even that still acts as an extension of human decision making and context.
The framing matters more than we realize. And I think the best mental model for understanding AI isn't a new coworker. It's an exoskeleton.
The Exoskeleton Model
Stay with me here, because this isn't just a metaphor. There are real examples of exoskeletons being deployed right now across manufacturing, logistics, military, and healthcare. The statistics are worth paying attention to.
In Manufacturing:
Ford has deployed EksoVest exoskeletons in 15 plants across 7 countries. The result? An 83% decrease in injuries in units using exoskeletons. Workers still do the overhead lifting (4,600 times per day)but with 5-15 pounds of assistance per arm that makes the work sustainable.
BMW's Spartanburg plant reports 30-40% reduction in worker effort using Levitate Technologies vests.
German Bionic's Cray X provides up to 66 lbs of lift support per movement. German Bionic reports that customers using the Cray X, including BMW and IKEA, have seen a 25% reduction in sick days.
In Military Applications:
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