In a recent LinkedIn post, John Cutler explores a concerning trend he’s observing in the professional world: the shift from genuine collaboration towards a performative display of AI capabilities. Cutler suggests that the focus has moved away from working together effectively and towards individuals showcasing their individual AI achievements, a phenomenon he terms the “AI flex.”
As John Cutler notes in his post, the underlying sentiment seems to be:
“No one wants to collaborate—they just want to show off what they vibe coded or built. It is battle of the prototypes.”
Cutler elaborates on the factors contributing to this dynamic, pointing to the immense pressure individuals feel to demonstrate their current AI skills. This pressure, he argues, is compounded by several other forces.
The Pressure to Perform AI Prowess
According to John Cutler, the current professional climate is rife with incentives for individuals to “flex” their AI expertise. This desire to showcase personal achievements, rather than engage in collective problem-solving, is becoming increasingly prevalent. Cutler highlights that this isn’t just about individual ambition but is influenced by broader environmental factors.
“I’m hearing more and more of this. There’s so much pressure for people to flex their current AI chops, mixed with everyone being insanely busy, mixed with the real value (in certain cases) of having something to show as a start of a conversation…”
In John Cutler’s view, this atmosphere creates an environment where the tangible output of individual AI work—the “prototype”—takes precedence over the often less visible, yet crucial, process of collaborative development. This can lead to a superficial engagement with AI tools and concepts, where the emphasis is on presentation rather than deep, integrated application.
The Rise of the ‘AI Flex’ Meeting
Cutler further posits that this trend culminates in meetings where the primary objective appears to be demonstrating individual AI capabilities rather than advancing shared project goals. He observes a shift in team dynamics where the “AI flex” becomes a de facto requirement for participation and recognition.
“That it is ‘all show up with your AI flex to the meeting'”
This observation, according to John Cutler, points to a potential “AI leadership dystopia” where authentic collaboration is sidelined. The focus on individual “flexing” can stifle innovation that arises from diverse perspectives and shared effort. Cutler’s analysis serves as a critical examination of how the rapid advancement and adoption of AI might be inadvertently reshaping workplace dynamics, potentially at the expense of genuine teamwork and the synergistic benefits it brings.
📝 About This Content
This article is based on insights shared by John Cutler on LinkedIn.
📅 Originally posted on March 14, 2026 | View original post on LinkedIn →