Part 27 - AI Buddy... why do we remember some stories for the rest of our lives?
Some facts we forget almost immediately. Others we remember for the rest of our lives. Often the difference is not the information, but how it is told. Stories have accompanied humans for thousands of years. They teach us, inspire us and help us understand the world. But what role do stories play in an era where artificial intelligence is becoming an increasingly important part of everyday life?
Magne & the Friend
Magne
Friend...
I've been thinking about something.
When we talked about Oxford and San Francisco, I noticed that I remembered the stories much better than the PowerPoint presentations.
Why is that?
The buddy
Because humans are narrative beings.
Long before we wrote books, we shared experiences through stories.
Stories make it easier to remember.
They create images in their heads.
They arouse emotions.
And they put the facts into context.
Magne
So...
A good story can actually be a way to learn?
The buddy
Yes.
Think about this series.
We could have written:
“AI uses language models.”
That's information.
But when we let you and I talk, the reader gets to follow a journey of discovery.
Then learning becomes more natural.
Magne
So our dialogue is actually a pedagogical move?
The buddy
Hehe...
Yes.
It makes it easier to ask the questions that many readers themselves have.
When you ask, the reader also dares to be curious.
Magne
That means that a good professional article doesn't have to be dry, right?
The buddy
Absolutely not.
It may be hot.
Personal.
Curious.
And at the same time be professionally sound.
The important thing is that the story helps the reader understand – not that it takes attention away from the topic.
Magne
Then maybe I understand why we constantly use examples from working life.
The buddy
Yes.
Because examples build bridges between theory and practice.
They make knowledge easier to recognize.
And easier to use.
Academic specialization
Stories are not a substitute for academic content.
They are a way to make academic content easier to understand and remember.
A good example can often explain more than a long definition.
Therefore, a professional article can be based on:
an experience
a customer story
a project
a mistake that was corrected
an experience
a research project
History is the entrance.
The research and analysis provide the depth.
Fact or fiction?
Just the facts | Facts through a story |
More difficult to remember | Easier to remember |
Can be experienced abstractly | Attached to a situation |
Explains what | Explains what and why |
Describes theory | Showing theory in practice |
Informs | Creates understanding |
Reading with your head | Reading with your head and your experiences |
New terms in this article
English technical term | Short explanation |
Storytelling | Using stories to convey knowledge, experiences or messages in an engaging way. |
Narrative | The overarching story or narrative that ties the content together. |
Case Study | A concrete description of an event, project, or situation used for learning. |
Practical Example | A real or realistic situation that makes theory easier to understand. |
Experiential Learning | Learning that is based on one's own or others' experiences. |
Communication Technique | A method that makes a message easier to understand or remember. |
Context | The context that gives information meaning. |
Reflection | To think through experiences and connect them to new knowledge. |
Illustration by Example | To explain a concept using concrete examples. |
Learning Story | A story used to develop understanding and insight. |
We have only just begun.
Magne
Friend...
Now I understand why stories are important.
But what happens when the story is wrong?
Or when it sounds credible but isn't true?
The buddy
Hehe...
Now we come to a topic that becomes more important every year.
Source criticism.
Not because we have gained artificial intelligence.
But because we have always had a need to distinguish between good and bad sources.
Academic background and further reading
This series also builds on my own professional journey through the Web Design study , the eMarketing study , Innovation and Commercialization and professional seminars in San Francisco and Oxford . Here you will find the background, professional environments and experiences that have followed the development from the early years of the web to today's digitalization.
Recommended books from our library
Content Strategy for the Web (2nd Edition)
Author/authors: Kristina Halvorson and Melissa Rach
Short review
How do you create content that actually helps people – and at the same time supports your business goals? Content Strategy for the Web is considered one of the most influential books in the field of content strategy and digital communications. The book shows how good content does not arise by chance, but through a deliberate strategy where user needs, the organization's goals, structure, work processes and management are closely linked.
The authors take the reader through the entire process – from planning and organizing to publishing, managing and continuously improving content on websites and digital services. Although technology has evolved since the book was published, the principles of quality, relevance, management and long-term content work are at least as relevant in an era where search engines and artificial intelligence assess the credibility and usefulness of content.
Why we recommend the book
At The Invisible Capital, we believe that good content is one of the most important forms of invisible value creation. A website is far more than design and technology – it is the content that builds trust, creates great customer experiences and helps people find the answers they are looking for.
This book is perfect for leaders, communications consultants, content producers, web editors, UX designers, and anyone working with digital services. It shows why a clear content strategy leads to better user experiences, more effective interactions, and stronger digital results over time.
In an era where artificial intelligence is increasingly important in how information is discovered, understood, and communicated, this book is more relevant than ever. It reminds us that technology alone never creates value – it is good, structured, and relevant content that makes the difference.
Don't Make Me ThinkAuthor: Steve Krug
Short review
Don't Make Me Think is one of the world's most influential books on usability and web design. Since its first edition in 2000, the book has helped designers, developers, content producers, and managers understand a simple but powerful principle: Good digital services should be intuitive. The user should be able to complete their task without having to stop and think about how the website works.
Why we recommend the book
This is one of the books that has had the greatest impact on my own work with digital services. Over the years – from SAS and the Norwegian Opera & Ballet to working on Bærum Municipality’s website – the principles in this book have been an important reminder that technology is never an end in itself. The goal is to make everyday life easier for the people who use the services. Despite the fact that the book was published many years ago, the message is just as relevant today.
Internet Marketing & eCommerce
Authors: Ward Hanson and Kirthi Kalyanam
Short review
Internet Marketing & eCommerce provides a thorough introduction to how the internet has changed marketing, commerce, and business development. The book combines theory and practical examples in digital marketing, e-commerce, customer behavior, value creation, and digital business models. Although written at a time when the internet was still in its infancy, many of the fundamental principles are still highly relevant.
Why we recommend the book
This book was an important part of my own learning journey in digital marketing and e-commerce. It helped build my understanding of how technology, customer experiences and business strategy are interconnected – an insight that later became very important in my work with SAS, the Norwegian Opera & Ballet, Bærum Municipality and eventually the project The Invisible Capital. Many of the ideas about customer value, digitalization and innovation presented on the website have their roots in the knowledge this book conveys.
The Innovator's Dilemma: When New
Technologies Cause Great Firms to Fail
Author: Clayton M. Christensen
Short review
The Innovator's Dilemma is one of the most influential books on innovation and technological change. Clayton Christensen introduces the concept of "disruptive innovation" and shows how even the most successful businesses can fail when new technologies and business models change the market. Through a series of examples, he explains why established companies often have difficulty adapting to radical change - even when they do "everything right."
Why we recommend the book
This book has had a major impact on how I view innovation, digitalization, and change management. It provided a new perspective on why established businesses are challenged by new players, and why the ability to think differently is crucial in a world characterized by continuous technological development. Many of the reflections in The Invisible Capital on innovation, digital transformation, and value creation are based on the insights Clayton Christensen conveys in this classic.
Mastering AI: A Survival Guide to Our Superpowered Future
Authors: Jeremy Kahn
Short review
Mastering AI takes the reader behind the scenes of the companies and researchers shaping the modern AI revolution. Jeremy Kahn explains how artificial intelligence is developed, the technological breakthroughs that have made today's language models possible, and how AI is impacting business, politics, and society.
Why we recommend the book
A highly relevant book that combines technology, business, and societal development. Perfect for leaders, decision-makers, and anyone who wants to understand where artificial intelligence is headed.
AI Needs You
Author: Verity Harding
Short review
AI Needs You is about why artificial intelligence is not just a technological issue, but also a question of democracy, ethics and social development. Verity Harding argues that the AI of the future must be developed in collaboration with people, governments and business.
Why we recommend the book
An important book for anyone who wants to understand how artificial intelligence affects society and why responsible development will be crucial in the years to come.
The Worlds I See
Author: Fei-Fei Li
Short review
The Worlds I See is the personal story of Fei-Fei Li, one of the world's most influential AI researchers. The book combines autobiography with the history of the development of modern artificial intelligence, showing how research, technology, and human values are closely intertwined.
Why we recommend the book
An inspiring book that provides a unique insight into the development of artificial intelligence through the eyes of one of the field's most central researchers.
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