So Money with Farnoosh Torabi · Wednesday, September 16, 2026
Mike Allen argues that artificial intelligence, despite its promise of simplifying tasks, has become a significant generator of complexity. He notes that AI tools often lead to more content, choices, and demands on our attention, paradoxically increasing workload.
“AI was supposed to be a force multiplier, was supposed to be a superpower for us. AI turns out to be the greatest complexity generating machine ever.”
“And the AI keeps asking us, "Do you want me to do this? Do you want me to add this? Do you want more of this? Do you want that?" So more choices.”
“So simplify shows you how to use AI to subtract from what's on your plate rather than add to them. Because left to its own devices, AI will, uh, the reverse of simplify.”