The existence of AI will change how humans interact with themselves and others.
This article is letter (A) of our “Human Connect” series where we write an article for each letter of the phrase. “Human Connect” explores how relationships will change in the digital age. Find links to more articles in the series below.
Humans tend to anthropomorphize, or bestow human characteristics onto objects, and our interactions with Artificial Intelligence follow suit. AI’s rise in intelligence correlates with their potential to be future friends... or looming enemies. Just how will our relationship with AI unfold and what will it mean for person to person connection?
AI Can Help Us Connect...
There are too many factors to predict exactly how AI will be socially integrated in everyday human life. The best case scenario we have seen is AI enhancing, not replacing, human relationships.
The AI which exists today is considered Weak AI (can do simple task-like functions like facial recognition, internet searches, or driving a car). What Weak AI does best, people normally only do because they need a paycheck. By letting AI do the boring chores, humans can focus on higher functioning, creative processes.
Doing so would lead to more productivity and happiness all around. In 7 Habits Of Highly Functional People, the author Stephen Covey outlines the most efficient results come from focusing on activities that are important, but not urgent. What falls under that category? Relationship building. When focused on people, helicopter supervisors and dictator-like managers transform into trusted mentors, helpers, and role models.
...Or Disconnect
The eventual goal of researchers is to create General AI. The opposite of Weak AI, General AI can outperform humans at nearly every cognitive task. As discussed on Comment Central, the existence of an entity that can completely replace humans will, psychologically speaking, really mess humanity up. When AI can out-think us in every respect, what are humans for? It’s human nature for people to struggle when faced to survive a meaningless existence.
On top of existential problems, people will also be isolated more and more. As a general observation, the increase in technological advances enables humans to live independently of each other. Where other mammal creatures cozy up for comfort, humans have a tendency to want personal space (when was the last time you enjoyed sitting middle seat on an airplane?) Technology isolates us. And to comfort us, more technology is developed as band-aid for the loneliness void. It’s a solution-less cycle.
And of course, there’s the old-fashioned fear of AI becoming too smart for its own good and overthrowing humanity completely:
"Intelligence enables control: humans control tigers not because we are stronger, but because we are smarter. This means that if we cede our position as smartest on our planet, it’s possible that we might also cede control."
Word Up:
The best way to predict the future is to create it. At Swomi, we are creating a future based in human relationships because we believe in people. We provide the technology to foster a digital life where people are empowered with their online content.
How do you see people interacting with AI in the future?
And if you liked this article, share it! Thanks for reading.
sources: futureoflife.org futureoflife.org commentcentral.co.uk futureoflife.org
This article is part of our “Human Connect” series where we write an article for each letter of the phrase. “Human Connect” explores how relationships will change in the digital age.
Click below to read more articles in the “Human Connect” series:
(H)uman Connection In The Digital World
(U) + Others: Connect With Anyone Online Or Offline
(M) Why Your (M)essage Matters More Than You Think
(A) Can’t We All Get Along? Our Relationship With (A)I
(N) How To Grow (N)ew Connections Into Lifelong Friendships
(C) Here's What No One Tells You About Online (C)ulture
(O)nline/Offline Human Connection Now And For The Future
(N) The Hidden Power (N)ew Stuff Has On Your Brain
(N)ew Ways To Communicate Online
(E) Understanding The Background And Future Of (e)Stuff
(C) The Surprising Secret About Being A (C)ontent Creator
(T) What Matters When You Are Learning To Trust People Online?
