UB2026 | Rebecca Bultsma | The AI Confidence Crisis (And How to Actually Solve It)

Description

AI trainer and consultant Rebecca Bultsma addresses the widespread anxiety and confidence crisis surrounding the rapid evolution of artificial intelligence. Bultsma frames this collective overwhelming feeling using a concept from transformative learning theory known as a "disorienting dilemma"—the precise moment conditions shift so fundamentally that old models for understanding our roles and capabilities no longer apply. Drawing a powerful historical parallel, she recounts the landmark 2016 match between 18-time world Go champion Lee Sedol and DeepMind’s AlphaGo. When AlphaGo executed the legendary "Move 37," a completely unprecedented maneuver that shattered centuries of human intuition, Sedol experienced a massive disorienting dilemma on the global stage. Yet, in game four, through deep reflection and focused strategy, he discovered "Move 78"—a unique human counter-move that completely threw off the AI. Bultsma argues that OpenAI’s launch of ChatGPT on November 30, 2022, was humanity's collective Move 37, changing digital conditions forever and requiring us to establish our own Move 78. To successfully navigate this disruption, Bultsma introduces a practical reorientation map that rejects overwhelming 30-day mastery trends and instead advises professionals to "think smaller." Rather than looking at a job as a monolithic role vulnerable to automation, workers must deconstruct their careers into a bundle of distinct, micro-level responsibilities. She demonstrates how to utilize an AI interview strategy—verbally conversing with platforms like ChatGPT or Anthropic’s Claude—to map individual workflows and isolate tiny, repeatable friction points that Anthropic calls "paper cuts." Bultsma showcases actionable, low-stakes micro-tasks where AI thrives as a safe thinking partner, from generating slide decks using NotebookLM to context gathering across workspace drives or running empathetic scenario stress-tests via customized AI personas. Concluding with a robust ethical "stake check" evaluating data sensitivity, trust, personal accountability, and digital skill erosion, Bultsma delivers a powerful call to action to maintain the human in the loop, proving that true professional transformation and renewed confidence are achieved one small, repeatable action at a time. ORIGINAL SESSION DESCRIPTION: We're all living through the same disorienting dilemma: everything we thought we knew about learning, teaching, and working is being scrambled by AI. Rebecca Bultsma draws on transformative learning research, the latest industry reports, and three years of watching AI implementations succeed and spectacularly fail to show you how to guide learners - whether they're 8 or 80 - from "I'm completely lost" to "I've got this." No PhD required, just practical strategies that work whether you're teaching third-graders or training executives. SESSION DETAILS: Upper Bound 2026 | Day 2, Main Stage 2 Upper Bound 2026, powered by Amii, was our biggest, boldest event to date! Learn more about Upper Bound and sign up for 2027 updates: https://www.upperbound.ai/