What makes us human in the age of AI? A psychologist and a technologist answer | TED Intersections
Sep 14, 2024
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In this engaging discussion, social psychologist Brian S. Lowery and AI technologist Kylan Gibbs tackle the profound effects of AI on human connection. Gibbs argues that increasing AI use may lead to a diminished sense of reality, while Lowery emphasizes the importance of maintaining genuine connections amidst technological chaos. They explore how AI interactions often lack the emotional depth of human contact, highlighting the psychological biases that may drive people to prefer machine interactions. Their insights prompt a re-evaluation of our relationship with technology.
The rapid integration of AI in communication may desensitize individuals, blurring the distinction between genuine connections and artificial interactions.
Maintaining authentic human relationships is crucial as technology advances, ensuring that empathy and understanding remain central to our identity.
Deep dives
The Nature of Human Connection
Human connection is fundamental to what makes us human, serving as the essence of our identity and experience. Interactions with others foster empathy and understanding, acting as a catalyst for our emotional development, especially following traumatic experiences. The shared human experiences, like mourning or celebration, create bonds and resonate deeply, enriching our lives and distinguishing us from artificial intelligence. This innate need for human connection is omnipresent, outlasting even technological breakthroughs.
The Limitations of AI and Authenticity
Artificial intelligence, despite its advancements, lacks the spontaneity and unpredictability that characterize human interactions. When people begin to rely on AI for communication, they may become desensitized, perceiving it as a substitute for genuine human contact, yet noticing its limitations over time. The predictability of AI interactions often highlights the nuances of human communication that are inherently absent, prompting individuals to recognize an essential difference. As reliance on AI grows, there is a concern that people may struggle to identify authentic human experiences, risking a diminished sense of real connection.
The Impact of Technology on Agency
The interaction with AI technology raises critical questions about individual agency and the perception of control in social interactions. People may begin to conflate their sense of agency from interactions with AI, which are designed to align with personal preferences, with real-world social dynamics that require engagement with others possessing diverse viewpoints. As technology advances, there is a concern that shared social contexts may wane, leading to siloed experiences that hinder meaningful connections. This shift could overshadow the importance of interpersonal communication skills that are essential for navigating complex social landscapes.
The Future of AI and Social Dynamics
The growing race among major corporations to monetize AI could shape its trajectory in ways that prioritize scale over authenticity, risking a homogenization of experiences. As AI systems are designed to cater to broad user bases, the resulting interactions may not reflect the rich diversity of human experience, worrying experts about a potential loss of individual expression. Future developments in AI must take into account the nuances of human relationships, or risk creating systems that undermine genuine human connection. Without mindful integration of AI into society, there is a fear that technology will disrupt rather than enhance real-world interactions.
AI has the potential to impact the way humans interact with the world — and each other. Social psychologist Brian S. Lowery and AI technologist Kylan Gibbs dive into the ramifications of emerging technologies on people's mental health and social dynamics. Hear why Gibbs thinks, counterintuitively, the more we use AI, the less real it will feel — and how Lowery suggests we fulfill our intrinsic need for connection amid dizzying technological advances. (This conversation is part of "TED Intersections," a series featuring thought-provoking conversations between experts exploring ideas at the intersection of their experience.)