Unreachable: How Not to Lose Your Mind in an AI-Obsessed Era

by Mohan Nair

A Fast Company Press Book

Be Unreachable to AI Machines

We are living in a time where we must decide which side to stand AI-obsessed or AI-afraid. We surrender our critical thinking to the machine, or reject all things AI. But are these really the only two choices? There is a better way. Utilizing decades of CXO experiences and a storied career at the intersection of innovation and technology, Mohan Nair delivers a bold blueprint for thriving in the age of Gen AI without sacrificing the very traits that make us human.

Research shows that by allowing Gen AI to think for us, we risk cognitive atrophy. Nair’s surprisingly simple antidote? Exercise your aha moments and build scaffolding for your transformational ideas. Through research, field insight, and real-world case studies, Nair theorizes how to ignite your inner innovator by tapping into aha moments where original insight lives. You will command AI tools and create what machines the yet-to-be-created.

Subdue AI-obsession and AI-fear. Become insight-powered and AI-enabled. Be UNREACHABLE.

248 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 17, 2026

Reviews

[Clair Culberson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley for providing this book this book for review and consideration. All opinions are my own.

AI is certainly upon us, and the wide adoption has been eminent for the last couple years. This book is a great introduction to how people should respond to that. I really appreciated how the author does not encourage totally avoiding all AI, nor does he suggest using it for everything, but gives thought out reasoning and examples for why/how to use AI without negating individual thought, inspiration, and ingenuity.

I felt at time that this book veered off into corporate/leadership strategies a bit too much, but overall it was a great ode to the importance of the balance of creativity and the use of AI for the purpose of maintaining creative outlets that bring joy, while showing that some things can be automated for the purpose of being more efficient.

Read it if you’re interested in AI and what our response could (should) be.

[Michaela Hernandez · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has been a great resource for navigating an increasingly AI-heavy world. My workplace, in particular, has been pushing AI more and more, so I really appreciated the framework this book provides for thinking about and viewing AI. Rather than simply telling you what to think, it gives you different ideas and perspectives to consider for yourself. I also really enjoyed the opportunities for self-reflection and working through the concepts presented throughout the book. It gave me a lot to think about and helped me be more intentional about how I approach AI in both my work and everyday life.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a reminder of how we may find ourselves, rather than lose ourselves, in this technological era. The spark comes from within, and acting from our deepest core is key — it is a muscle we must train. *"Insight and vision are earned, not given."* We surely need more leaders to guide this transformation with purpose. This book thinks it into possible reality.

[Marvin Tai · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brilliant book for anyone looking for some self introspection & thoughtful jounral prompts to chew upon