Karim or Karim

Karim or Karim

22nd April, 2025

With the rapid rise in AI tools in our daily lives, we’re witnessing a clear divide: some people are already addicted, others are still exploring, and some are in denial altogether. But one thing is sure: we are entering a new era where authenticity is becoming harder to recognize.

These days, you might find yourself wondering: Did my colleague write this email, or did ChatGPT generate it? It’s no longer just about people imitating others’ styles; now, many may not be writing at all.

Personally, what frustrates me most is when people aren’t authentic in how they express themselves in writing, speaking, or even thinking. And with AI, the challenge has grown. It’s no longer just a matter of someone copying another's tone; it’s the complete outsourcing of thought and voice.

Are you truly you? Or are you a chatbot in disguise?

To be clear, I’m not against AI; it’s a powerful enabler when used with purpose. But it needs limits. It should complement us, not replace our originality or unique ways of thinking and communicating.

Over the past 10 days, I’ve attended several discussions on how to use AI meaningfully, and one concern has stood out: the massive energy consumption of these tools. Should we really be spending that energy turning 1,000 photos into “Ghibli-style” just because we can?

I’m proud that at Meirc, we’ve proposed adding an Artificial Intelligence (AI) category to our offerings not to jump on the trend but to educate professionals on using AI effectively, ethically, and with intention in their careers.

Because the future is not just about using AI; it’s about using it without losing ourselves.

About the Author
Karim Salem, PMP®, PMI-ACP®

Client Relations Lead

Karim Salem is a Client Relations Lead with Meirc Training & Consulting, based in Riyadh. He holds a Bachelor of Science in mechanical power engineering from Ain Shams University. Karim's application of classroom learning to real-world projects, where he has often served as a sole or principal leader, has consistently yielded innovative and successful outcomes.
In 2009, the British Council recognized Karim as one of the top 120 Arab youths for his impactful contributions as a GlobalChangeMaker® in community and country development initiatives. Notably, Karim made history as the first Egyptian to assume the presidency of a Rotaract® Club in the UAE.
Karim is PMP® certified. He continued his pursuit of excellence and expanded his skill set with a PMI Agile Certified Practitioner (PMI-ACP) certification. Moreover, he is advancing his knowledge and expertise by pursuing an MBA in Entrepreneurship from the EU Business School in Switzerland, Universidad Católica San Antonio de Murcia (UCAM) in Spain, and London Metropolitan University (London Met).
With a comprehensive engineering, project management, business development, and community leadership background, Karim is poised to continue making significant contributions to his field and beyond. As he navigates his role as Client Relations Lead, Karim's dedication to driving innovation, fostering relationships, and achieving results remains unwavering.

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