By Dr. Tawhid CHTIOUI, President and Founder of aivancity, the Grande Ecole of AI and Data
It’s often said that artificial intelligence will eventually overtake us. That it analyzes better, decides faster, learns relentlessly. What if what we call “intelligence” is in fact just a fragment, and the essential part escapes the machines?
In a world fascinated by algorithmic prowess, where performance is measured in terms of computational speed and predictive ability, an unexpected event serves as a reminder of what AI still doesn’t know how to do. On May 31, 2025, Paris Saint-Germain made history by winning the Champions League for the first time. A resounding five-goal victory over Inter Milan. A match that the statistics predicted to be more uncertain, but which the pitch turned into a demonstration.
Since the publication of McKinsey’s report (2017) on the prospects for work automation, or that of the MIT-IBM Watson AI Lab (2023) on the future of human-machine complementarity, one thing has become clear: AI excels in certain well-defined cognitive functions, notably data analysis, pattern recognition and algorithmic optimization. In other words, it is powerful whereanalytical intelligence prevails, a concept that Robert Sternberg identifies as one of the three major forms of intelligence in his triarchic theory (1985). While analytical intelligence can be mobilized by machines, the others – emotional, collective, situational and relational – remain profoundly human.
Luis Enrique’s PSG success story is not just an example of sporting performance. It embodies a fine orchestration of human skills that are irreducible to algorithms: the ability to feel and channel emotions under pressure, to create trust within a team, to adapt tactically to changing contexts, to innovate in the game, to understand others intuitively. It is this mesh of multiple intelligences, as defined by Howard Gardner in his seminal theory (1983), that has made excellence possible. And it’s also what our society sometimes forgets, obsessed as it is by the increasing power of language and decision-making models.
In a world fascinated by AI, perhaps it’s time to remember that human intelligence is neither unique nor uniformly reproducible. Using the PSG victory as a starting point, this article revisits five fundamental forms of intelligence, showing why, and how, they remain our decisive advantage in the age of artificial intelligence.
1. Collective intelligence: when “we” goes beyond “I
The first thing that strikes you about Luis Enrique’s PSG is how they have transformed a collection of brilliant individuals into a coherent, cohesive, almost organic entity. In a sport where isolated exploits are often celebrated, this team has chosen a different path: that of collective intelligence. It’s not just a question of playing together, but of thinking together, of anticipating each other’s intentions without talking to each other, of building fluid movements in which each player blends into the common rhythm. A form of emergent intelligence, which researchers like Pierre Lévy describe as the group’s ability to produce meaning and solve complex problems, beyond the sum of individual skills.
This PSG has not been content to simply add talent. It has brought them together in a system where passing, movement and defensive coverage are all expressions of a shared vision. We saw this against Machester City, when collective pressing at the right moment disarmed the opposition’s possession game. Or in the final, when permutations between midfielders and forwards opened up gaps invisible to the naked eye but perfectly anticipated by the players. None of this can be reproduced by a machine. Because collective intelligence requires trust, real-time adaptation and shared experience. It’s based on human bonds, not lines of code.
Another striking example of this collective intelligence wasOusmane Dembélé ‘s performance in the final. Despite his status as favourite for the Ballon d’Or, Dembélé put aside his personal ambitions to devote himself entirely to the collective. His constant pressing and two assists were decisive factors in PSG’s victory, perfectly illustrating his commitment to the team.
2. Emotional intelligence: channeling emotions to transcend the collective
If collective intelligence weaves the bonds of the game, emotional intelligence is its invisible engine. It enables players to navigate the tumultuous waters of emotions, transform stress into constructive energy and maintain clarity of mind under pressure. Daniel Goleman, who popularized the concept, describes it as the ability to recognize, understand and manage one’s own emotions, as well as those of others, to guide thought and action.
Captain Marquinhos embodied this emotional intelligence. On the eve of the final against Inter Milan, he expressed his deep connection with the team, declaring: ” I’m in love with this team “. This statement reflects not only his attachment to the group, but also his ability to instill positive energy and collective confidence. During the match, his exemplary behavior served as an emotional beacon for his team-mates. His serenity and determination helped the team to stay focused, even in tense moments. After the victory, Marquinhos had a thought for his former team-mates who had failed to win the Champions League, declaring: ” I think of all the players who have passed through here, and who have not succeeded “. This gesture of humility and recognition underlines his ability to manage his emotions while honoring the club’s collective history.
Unlike artificial intelligence, which can analyze data and predict behavior, emotional intelligence is based on lived experience, human interaction and deep self-awareness. It cannot be programmed; it must be cultivated. In a world where machines are gaining in analytical capacity, emotional intelligence remains an irreplaceable human skill, essential to individual and collective performance.
3. Situational intelligence: adapting to dominate
Situational intelligence is the ability to perceive the dynamics of a constantly changing environment and adjust one’s behavior accordingly. In the context of soccer, this manifests itself in a team’s ability to modify its strategy according to the circumstances of the match, the strengths and weaknesses of its opponent, and the unforeseen events on the pitch.
During the final, PSG demonstrated remarkable situational intelligence. The Parisians were able to vary their game, alternating between high pressure and patient possession phases, exploiting the spaces left by their opponents. This adaptability was made possible by a fine reading of the game and constant communication between the players, enabling tactical adjustments to be made in real time.
A striking example of this situational intelligence is the performance of Désiré Doué, a 19-year-old attacking midfielder. A surprise starter, he quickly adapted to the demands of the match, exploiting space and adjusting his positioning according to opponents’ movements. His ability to read the game and make informed decisions in real time was decisive in PSG’s domination of the final.
This ability to adapt, the fruit of collective experience and an intuitive understanding of the game, is difficult for artificial intelligence to model. It relies on sensory perceptions, emotions and contextual awareness that machines cannot reproduce. As a result, situational intelligence remains an essential human skill, particularly in complex and unpredictable environments such as top-level sport.
4. Creative intelligence: innovate to surprise
Creative intelligence is the ability to generate new ideas, to break out of established patterns and come up with new solutions. In soccer, it manifests itself in innovative strategies, unexpected combinations and tactical adjustments that destabilize opponents.
Coach Luis Enrique demonstrated remarkable creative intelligence in the final. Faced with an Inter Milan team renowned for its defensive rigor, he devised an audacious game plan, showcasing the versatility of his players and exploiting their opponents’ weaknesses. This approach enabled PSG to dominate the match from start to finish.
A striking example of this tactical creativity was the use ofAchraf Hakimi in a hybrid role, oscillating between his right-back duties and more central incursions. This flexibility disoriented Inter’s defense, creating spaces that were exploited by the attacking midfielders.
This ability to innovate, to propose original solutions in real time, is difficult to replicate with artificial intelligence. It relies on intuition, experience and a deep understanding of the game. So creative intelligence remains an essential human skill, particularly in competitive environments where innovation makes the difference.
5. Relational intelligence: forging links to strengthen unity
Relational intelligence is the ability to establish authentic relationships, understand interpersonal dynamics and create an environment conducive to collaboration. In the context of soccer, this manifests itself in a club’s ability to federate all its members, establish a culture of trust and value each individual within the collective.
During the final, Paris Saint-Germain demonstrated remarkable relational intelligence. Over and above its performance on the pitch, the club was able to mobilize all its members around a common goal. A striking example of this relational intelligence is the club’s initiative to invite all its employees to attend the final in Munich. This initiative underlines PSG’s determination to strengthen the links between all parts of the club, from players to staff and administrative staff.
This cohesion was also evident on the pitch. Substitutes such as Senny Mayulu, who came on at the end of the game, integrated perfectly and contributed to the team’s success by scoring the fifth goal of the match. This performance testifies to the quality of the relationships built up between the players, fostering a team dynamic in which everyone feels valued and ready to give their all.
This ability to create genuine bonds, understand individual needs and foster a harmonious working environment is difficult to replicate with artificial intelligence. It relies onempathy,active listening and a deep understanding of human relationships. Thus, relational intelligence remains an essential human skill, particularly in environments where collaboration and trust are paramount.
What if the real challenge wasn’t AI, but the oblivion of our own intelligence?
With all the talk of artificial intelligences overtaking us, we end up forgetting to cultivate the ones that make us truly human. Soccer, the discipline of gestures and flair, reminds us that human genius cannot be reduced to calculations. That excellence is not born from an algorithm, but from the interaction between people capable ofintuition,improvisation and trust.
PSG 2025 is living proof of this. This team performed not thanks to data or a fixed tactical plan, but because it was able to mobilize a whole spectrum of profoundly human intelligences. It thought together, felt together, adjusted in real time, innovated, transmitted. What machines sometimes reproduce mechanically, these players have embodied in the warmth of reality, with skin, looks, silence and gestures.
In a world obsessed with technical performance, this sporting victory says something else: the future lies not in the rivalry between human and machine, but in our ability to reinvest what AI doesn’t have, and never will.
Reinventing school before it’s too late
The real challenge is not to teach children to code before they’re ten, but to prepare them for everything that machines won’t be able to do. Learning to cooperate without ego, to listen without judging, to feel without losing oneself. Know how to read a situation, invent a solution, make sense out of ambiguity. Cultivating nuance, attentiveness and doubt. These are the vital skills of the 21st century.
And yet, our education systems continue to privilege reproduction, linear logic and solitary competition. As if tomorrow’s world could be mastered with yesterday’s recipes. It’s time to reinvent school as a playground for multiple intelligences. A school that doesn’t just train good performers, but awakens flexible, critical and creative minds, capable of living and acting in an uncertain world.
PSG’s victory should not remain in the club’s shop windows. It should resonate in classrooms, in ministries, in training programs. It’s an invitation to change the way we think about what it means to learn. To recognize that human intelligence, in all its diversity, is not just another resource. This is the source.
References
- Gardner, H. (1983). Frames of Mind: The Theory of Multiple Intelligences. New York, NY: Basic Books.
- Sternberg, R. J. (1985). Beyond IQ: A Triarchic Theory of Human Intelligence. New York, NY: Cambridge University Press.
- Goleman, D. (1995). Emotional Intelligence: Why It Can Matter More Than IQ. New York, NY: Bantam Books.
- Lévy, P. (1994). L'intelligence collective: Pour une anthropologie du cyberespace. Paris, France: La Découverte.
- Morin, E. (1999). Les sept savoirs nécessaires à l'éducation du futur. Paris, France: Seuil.