(Photo courtesy of Cash Macanaya)
I’ve given a lot of thought to AI or “Artificial Intelligence.” There is no question that it is and has already been present in our lives, but its affects are just beginning to be unleashed. Listening to many experts, I am excited by its possibilities yet pause at its threats.
AI has become more than just a technological marvel; it’s a force that could reshape humanity’s relationship with itself and the world. As we stand at the frontier of this new age, the question emerges: will AI be a tool for fostering deeper wisdom and well-being, or will it plunge us further into addiction and division?
From self-help apps to life coaches and spiritual guides, AI already shows an immense capacity to empower individuals. For instance, tools like meditation apps and mental health bots are stepping in where traditional means of support might be lacking. “Technology is best when it brings people together,” said Matt Mullenweg, co-founder of WordPress. When designed with intentionality, AI has the potential to connect us to ourselves and to others in ways that strengthen community and compassion. Picture a breakthrough in medicine and instead of taking years to be learned and improve humanity, the effects can takes just seconds.
But this connection is a double-edged sword. Many of us have felt the addictive pull of our devices, the endless scroll, the dopamine hits from likes and notifications. AI-driven algorithms amplify this, using our own psychology to keep us glued to our screens. Jaron Lanier, the pioneer of virtual reality, cautions, “We’re setting up a world in which online connection is primary, leaving physical and real-life connection behind.” When profit drives AI’s design, addiction can easily overshadow connection. Algorithms, designed to keep us engaged, can lead us down paths of increasing polarization, favoring sensationalism over understanding, outrage over empathy. How will AI affect our humanity and our willingness and skill to relate to one another?
Yet, in the right hands, AI can also become a tool for self-discovery. Consider how AI might analyze patterns in our speech, thought, and behavior to help us recognize habits, fears, or strengths we may not have fully acknowledged. As Yuval Noah Harari writes in 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, “Clarity is power.” An AI that brings clarity, that helps us understand our own minds and emotions, could be transformative. Imagine AI tools that, rather than dictating what we should consume or whom we should like, gently nudge us toward growth, reflection, and more meaningful interaction.
Despite the promise of AI-enhanced wisdom, the risks are real. If algorithms are primarily engineered to maximize engagement or profit, we could see a society increasingly fragmented and driven by superficial values. “The potential for harm is real,” observes Tristan Harris, co-founder of the Center for Humane Technology, “when technology overwhelms our basic needs for love, attention, and connection.” An AI-fueled world must reckon with these ethical tensions, prioritizing human dignity and communal well-being over divisive forces.
As with any tool, AI’s impact will largely depend on who wields it and how. What guard rails and oversights will be in place? Who and how will they be enforced?If AI creators and users demand purpose-driven innovation over mere profit, the possibilities for a wiser, more compassionate world are endless. We may see a society where mental health is democratized, spirituality is nurtured, and learning is continuous. Alternatively, if AI remains bound to corporate agendas, we risk trading depth for dopamine, wisdom for fleeting excitement.
In this unfolding story, each of us plays a role. We are the ones who will shape the future of AI by the choices we make, by demanding technologies that heal rather than harm. Ultimately, we must decide whether AI will help us bridge the gap between what we are and what we can become, or whether it will merely serve as a shiny, addictive distraction on the path of life.
Bob Fagan has just published “The Little Book of Questions That Matter — A Lifetime Companion For Transforming Your Life.” It is available on Amazon.
