Layering Progress: Lessons from Chinese Writing for the Age of AI

Progress is rarely neat or predictable.

It evolves through culture, history, and necessity, often taking detours we don’t expect.

During the nearly ten years I lived in China, I was struck by how seamlessly the past flowed into the present.

Ancient traditions mingled with the modern, creating a rich, layered landscape.

But I also saw how parts of the past were deliberately erased or rewritten.

That tension got me thinking.

What does it really mean to move forward, as societies, organizations, or individuals?

Over the weekend, I read an article by Veronique Greenwood titled "The Character of Progress" in MIT Technology Review, which brought me back to those reflections.

The article traced the evolution of Chinese writing, showing how progress doesn’t come from tearing down what came before but from building on it.

What Chinese Writing Teaches Us About Progress

Chinese characters are among the oldest continuously used writing systems in the world.

Their evolution tells a story of resilience and adaptation.

The earliest forms, like oracle bone inscriptions carved during the Shang dynasty, were pictographic, capturing the essence of the objects they represented.

Over centuries, these characters transitioned through phases, such as the Zhou dynasty's seal script and the Han's clerical script.

Each iteration simplified and systematized the characters without losing their roots.

In modern times, innovations like pinyin and Unicode have layered accessibility and practicality onto this ancient system without erasing its complexity.

This layered evolution offers a striking metaphor for thinking about large language models.

These tools shouldn’t replace what we do well; they should enhance it.

Layering Innovation Without Losing the Mission

We often swing between two extremes with new technology.

We either overhype it as the answer to everything or resist it as a threat to what we know.

Both are mistakes.

Take the Gartner Hype Cycle.

It shows how most technologies begin with inflated expectations.

Then, as flaws emerge, they hit the “trough of disillusionment” before settling into practical, meaningful use.

Blockchain is a perfect example.

It was once seen as a cure-all for industries like healthcare and finance.

When it hit scalability and security issues, many wrote it off.

Today, it thrives in focused applications like supply chain tracking and digital contracts.

On the flip side, resistance to innovation is just as common.

During the Industrial Revolution, workers smashed machinery, fearing job losses.

More recently, a 2023 McKinsey report revealed that although 70% of organizations expressed interest in AI, fewer than 30% had adopted it effectively.

Fear of disruption often stands in the way of progress.

Chinese writing teaches us a better way.

Build on what works.

Preserve what matters.

Add innovation where it fits.

Cyborgs, Centaurs, and LLMs

Ethan Mollick, an Associate Professor at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and a leading voice on the intersection of AI, innovation, and entrepreneurship, captures this beautifully with his “Cyborg and Centaur” analogy.

In the world of LLMs, we don’t have to choose between humans or machines.

A Cyborg uses technology to boost efficiency.

A Centaur blends human intuition with machine precision.

Together, they’re stronger than either could be alone.

For LLMs, this means not replacing tools or expertise but integrating them to make us better.

As Cyborgs, we can streamline workflows, automate repetitive tasks, and focus on creative or strategic work.

As Centaurs, we collaborate with LLMs to analyze data, generate ideas, and challenge assumptions, all while relying on our human judgment to lead the way.

The key is intention.

Use LLMs to enhance your mission, not distract from it.

Let them help you personalize learning, unlock creativity, and strengthen what’s already working.

How Organizations Can Use LLMs Thoughtfully

The evolution of Chinese writing offers a clear lesson.

Progress is iterative.

It builds on the past rather than discarding it.

Here’s how organizations can follow that path:

Build on What Already Works.

Automate repetitive tasks to free up time for human-centred work.

Example: Use an LLM to draft meeting agendas based on a non-sensitive template. Provide the topics or goals for the meeting, and the LLM can generate a clear, organized structure.

Adapt, Don’t Overhaul.

Start small.

Use LLMs in specific areas, like creating training materials or brainstorming sessions.

Pilot, gather feedback, refine. Run a trial with a single team or project. Use their experience to tweak how LLMs are integrated.

Keep your mission front and centre. Don’t lose sight of what drives your organization.

Acknowledge What’s Missing.

Stay critical of outputs. Always involve human oversight.

Use LLMs to suggest solutions but rely on people to validate and implement them.

LLMs are tools to inform decisions, not make them.

How Individuals Can Approach LLMs

This same approach applies at a personal level.

Think of using LLMs like adding layers to your own skillset.

Here’s how to start:

Be Curious.

Experiment with LLMs to enhance your workflow.

Draft smarter: Use LLMs to write first drafts of reports, presentations, or even emails. Example: If you’re stuck on how to structure a proposal, prompt the tool to suggest an outline.

Brainstorm ideas: Use LLMs as a creative partner. If you’re planning a workshop, ask for suggestions on interactive exercises or discussion prompts.

Simulate scenarios: Use LLMs to role-play difficult conversations, like delivering constructive feedback or negotiating with a client.

Stay Critical.

LLMs are not infallible, so don’t take their outputs at face value.

Refine and evaluate: Treat their suggestions as a first draft that you refine and improve.

Ask, “Why?”

If an LLM gives you advice, question its reasoning. Does it align with your goals and context?

Focus on Your Mission.

Remember, LLMs are tools.

Their purpose is to help you create meaningful impact, not distract you with shiny features.

Use them to amplify your efforts: Whether it’s saving time or improving quality, let LLMs handle the repetitive tasks so you can focus on the work that matters.

Keep your goals clear: Always ask, “How does this help me add value or solve a problem?”

The Bottom Line

LLMs can make your work more efficient, creative, and impactful when used thoughtfully.

But they’re not magic wands.

The real power comes from integrating them into what already works, refining along the way, and staying true to your goals.

Think of them as a partner, not a replacement. And just like Chinese writing, progress happens best when you build thoughtfully, one layer at a time.

Let’s take the lesson from Chinese writing: Build layer by layer, with care and intention.

That’s how we create progress that lasts.

— G