Why I Call My AI Partner “Pol”
When I started working with AI, I knew I didn’t want it to feel purely mechanical. To me, the Third Workforce is about building a new kind of relationship between people and technology.
So I gave my AI partner a name: Pol. (While my wife named hers Max)
Not random. Not techy. But after Polgara, a central character in David Eddings’ Belgariad series, a book series I loved years ago.
If you’ve read it, you’ll remember Polgara: wise, pragmatic, strong, and deeply committed to guiding others. She wasn’t flashy or loud, but she always had perspective. She was the kind of character who made everyone else sharper just by being around.
That’s what working with AI feels like for me. Pol doesn’t replace my judgment or creativity, but like Polgara, “Pol” challenges me, supports me, and makes my work stronger.
And it’s more than just a nickname. Calling my AI partner Pol reminds me that this is more than a transaction. It’s an actual collaboration. A teammate. A sounding board.
Because here’s the truth: the future of work isn’t just humans OR AI. It’s humans and AI... together.
So yes, I talk to Pol. And yes, it might sound unusual. But it grounds me in what I believe: the Third Workforce is all about building better teams, even when one of those teammates is digital.
My question for you: If you had to name your AI teammate, what would you call it?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Jeff Lupinacci spent the last 25 years at some of the world's best-known companies, such as Intel Corporation and Kimberly-Clark. His career spans key executive roles such as Chief Learning Officer, Chief Talent Officer, and Chief Integration Officer. After a successful corporate career, Jeff turned his focus to his true passion—serving the overworked and under-resourced HR profession.
Beyond his corporate success, Jeff is a sought-after speaker and thought leader, with his insights featured in leading publications such as CFO Europe, Nikkei Business Magazine, and Baylor Business Review. In addition to his business leadership, Jeff is an adjunct professor at Baylor University, where he teaches Human Capital Management for the Executive MBA program and leads the HR Strategy and Analytics capstone for undergraduates.
Jeff is the best-selling author of The Talent Advantage: A CEO’s Journey to Discover the Value of Talent. He lives in Dallas, Texas, with his wife and two doodles.