The conversation around artificial intelligence often begins with technology, yet Jordan Morrow, founder of Bodhi Data, invites it to start with people. In his view, AI is not a topic meant to be discussed only in specialized rooms or technical language. "The real shift happens when people realize they have a seat at the data and AI table and that they're allowed to question what they present to them," he states. That realization opens the door to broader involvement and shared responsibility.
Morrow frames this perspective in terms of the environment people navigate today. "Information arrives constantly, often without explanation or context," he shares. "Headlines circulate quickly, automated outputs appear authoritative, and digital tools influence choices, large and small." In his TEDx talk, he explores how people respond to this flow, asking how they can evaluate what they see and decide what to trust. His answer centers on data literacy as a practical, human skill, a way of thinking that helps people interpret information, recognize patterns, and pause long enough to ask meaningful questions before acting.
Building on these observations, Morrow emphasizes the practical development of data and AI literacy in everyday life. It involves becoming comfortable reading data, examining why it looks the way it does, and forming reasoned viewpoints. These abilities exist at many levels and may evolve. "People don't need deep technical training to begin," he stresses. "They need familiarity, curiosity, and the confidence to engage. His writing mirrors this philosophy.
In Be Data Literate, Morrow presents data and AI literacy as an essential capability for modern life, grounded in curiosity, judgment, and communication. The book addresses readers across roles and experiences, emphasizing that literacy strengthens agency rather than demanding specialization. His other works expand the conversation to analytics, decision-making, and organizational culture, each reinforcing that data only becomes valuable through human interpretation. His upcoming book extends these ideas through the concept of engineered intelligence, which integrates data, AI, intellectual reasoning, and emotional awareness into a unified approach to progress and problem-solving.
Across his talks and writing, Morrow returns to a consistent set of skills that support meaningful engagement. "Curiosity encourages people to ask why information appears as it does," he states. "Creativity allows them to explore alternative explanations and possibilities." These qualities give people a way to participate without feeling overwhelmed. Morrow has observed that these abilities come naturally early in life and can be strengthened again through practice. His work invites people to treat learning as an ongoing process rather than a finite goal.
This approach also shapes how he speaks about learning alongside AI. Instead of waiting for complete understanding, Morrow encourages exploration and reflection. He notes that people learn by experimenting, observing outcomes, and adjusting their questions. Intuition plays an important role here, helping individuals sense when an output feels incomplete or when additional context is needed. "AI can respond quickly," Morrow says, "but humans decide what deserves attention." That distinction reinforces the continuing role of human judgment in an automated environment.
Within organizations, this way of thinking influences how impact is understood. AI often affects how teams think, collaborate, and move from idea to action. Some of its value appears in clearer conversations, stronger questions, and increased confidence across roles. While outcomes can be measured in many ways, Morrow's perspective highlights the importance of recognizing human engagement as part of progress. When people understand how to work with AI, they may contribute more fully to decisions that shape their work and communities.
AI continues to influence how the world evolves, affecting industries, education, and daily life. The direction of that influence, according to Morrow, depends on human choices. "Tools extend capability, while people provide meaning and direction," he states. "When AI is treated as part of a broader human toolkit, it can become a resource for progress. Through his speaking, writing, and work at Bodhi Data, Morrow remains an advocate for inclusive participation and a future shaped by informed human involvement.
