Artificial intelligence is becoming the invisible force behind modern life. It answers questions, writes, recommends, decides, and increasingly shapes how we work, learn, and live. It promises convenience, speed, and efficiency. But what happens when the tools designed to support human thinking begin to replace it?In The Convenience Trap, Michael Gerlich explores one of the most important and least examined consequences of the AI age: the quiet transfer of thinking from human minds to intelligent systems. As people rely more on AI to generate ideas, solve problems, and make decisions, the benefits are obvious. The hidden costs are not. Critical thinking weakens. Reflection becomes shorter. Dependency grows.Drawing on years of research into the societal impact of AI, Gerlich examines how artificial intelligence is reshaping behaviour, leadership, education, work, and society, and asks one of the defining questions of our time: what do we lose when convenience begins to think for us?

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Dr Michael Gerlich is a distinguished expert in strategic corporate foresight and sustainability, serving as the Director of the Swiss Center for Strategic Corporate Foresight and Sustainability at SBS Swiss Business School. With extensive experience in academia and international development, he is a senior faculty member at SBS Swiss Business School, where he imparts his expertise in various business and management courses. In addition to his teaching commitments, Dr. Gerlich passionately guides and mentors PhD and DBA students on their academic journeys. His global influence extends beyond Switzerland, as he also shares his knowledge with institutions such as the London School of Economics and Political Sciences (LSE) and Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge. Dr. Gerlich's remarkable over 35-year career encompasses significant advisory roles, having served as an advisor to the President and Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan, the Cabinet of Ministers in Uzbekistan, and various Ministers for economic affairs in Azerbaijan. He has also held key positions with the German Development Bank (GIZ/KfW) and the International Finance Corporation (IFC), leaving an indelible mark on the international development landscape. As CEO of international conglomerates, he led the strategic development of more than 20 companies. Dr Gerlich's academic accomplishments are well-recognized through his contributions to leading academic journals, focusing on diverse research fields including Strategic Management, Marketing, Leadership, Change Management, and Behavioral Sciences. His scholarly insights have significantly advanced the understanding of these critical domains.Dr Gerlich holds a PhD from Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, and an MBA from Cambridge University. With a dedication to fostering sustainable and strategic practices, he provides valuable insights to both practitioners and students delving into the dynamic world of strategic analysis and corporate foresight.