Flourishing Edge Podcast with Ashish Kothari How AI can Amplify Human Flourishing with Tamara Lechner
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Oct 28, 2025 Tamara Lechner, a happiness and flourishing expert at Harvard, dives deep into the double-edged sword of AI. She discusses how AI can either erode our humanity or enhance our well-being, emphasizing the need for ethical frameworks centered on productivity, protection, and fairness. Tamara highlights the importance of prioritizing relationships and collaboration in AI design. She encourages collective action for humane technology and shares her personal well-being practices, underscoring the potential of AI to identify meaningful work and foster purpose in our lives.
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AI As A Bridge Between Knowing And Doing
- Humans already know many ingredients for flourishing but fail to act due to external pressures and distractions.
- Tamara Lechner argues AI can individualize guidance and help bridge the knowing-doing gap by pointing to high-impact, low-effort actions.
Beyond Baseline Ethics: Lift, Don't Just Protect
- AI is neither purely friend nor foe; its impact depends on use, context, and the moral compass guiding it.
- Protection from harm and fairness are baseline; AI should also actively lift social connection, flow, and meaning.
Ask Attention And Consent Questions First
- Before adopting AI, ask whether it hijacks your attention or keeps you in control of it.
- Also verify consent and data use to avoid later regrets and harms.
