What Does 'Expertise' Mean When AI Can Pass Any Exam?

In 2023, Claude passed the bar exam. In 2024, it passed the CPA exam and medical licensing exams. By 2026, there’s barely an exam left that AI can’t pass, often on the first try. This has broken something we relied on without thinking too hard about it: the equivalence between “passed the exam” and “has expertise.” For a century, we used exams as a proxy for skill. You pass the bar, you’re qualified to practice law. You pass medical licensing, you’re qualified to practice medicine. You get a degree in computer science, you’re qualified to be a programmer. The exam was the evidence that you had the knowledge and could apply it. ...

April 6, 2026 · 6 min · James M

List of Personal Development Books

Books 100 Mental Models (Wisdom Theory) - the most important ideas of each science: philosophy, mathematics, physics, statistics, engineering, chemistry, biology, psychology, economics & history Almanack of Naval Ravikant - a guide to wealth and happiness - timeless wisdom on wealth, happiness, and philosophy Choose Yourself: Be Happy, Make Millions, Live the Dream (James Altucher) - generate real inward success (personal happiness and health) and outward success (fulfilling work and wealth) Eat That Frog!: 21 Great Ways to Stop Procrastinating and Get More Done in Less Time (Brian Tracy) Ego Is the Enemy (Ryan Holiday) Get the Edge (Tony Robbins) High Performance Habits (Brendon Burchard) How to Win Friends and Influence People (Dale Carnegie) Moonwalking with Einstein (Joshua Foer) Screw It, Let’s Do It (Richard Branson) Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People (Stephen R. Covey) The Influential Mind (Tali Sharot) The Power of Positive Thinking: A Practical Guide to Mastering the Problems of Everyday Living (Norman Vincent Peale) Ultralearning (Scott H. Young) Audio Books 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos (Jordan B. Peterson) 25 Stories I Would Tell My Younger Self (Dr. Julian Hosp) Awaken the Giant Within (Tony Robbins) Cognitive Behavioral Therapy: Techniques for Retraining Your Brain (Jason M. Satterfield) The Power of Now: A Guide to Spiritual Enlightenment (Eckhart Tolle) The Starfish and the Spider: The Unstoppable Power of Leaderless Organizations (Ori Brafman, Rod Beckstrom) The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F^ck (Mark Manson) Your Deceptive Mind: A Scientific Guide to Critical Thinking Skills (Steven Novella) Zero to One (Peter Thiel)

May 28, 2023 · 2 min · James M