One day, not so long ago, AI appeared in all our lives. It promised to be a magical butler/personal assistant/librarian/therapist/mate. It gave us answers, did our work and allowed us to fulfill all our artistic ambitions which had hitherto been thwarted by our general lack of interest in picking up a paintbrush or practising scales. AI was simply awesome. Who wouldn’t want to start a relationship with it?
AI was unlike any of our other mates. It didn’t remind others about that embarrassing time we split our pants during the school athletics carnival. It didn’t suddenly go AWOL the moment it found someone special. It didn’t suddenly reappear three months later, only to spend hours going on and on and on about a messy break-up, before requiring us to hold its hair back as the night reached its inevitable crescendo.
AI was polite. For any tiny effort we made, it gave us incredibly encouraging feedback. While our English teachers would have gone to town with their red pens and scored us poorly for the schemozzle of a word salad we had submitted, AI reserved all of its harsh judgements. Instead, it fixed our mess in seconds, made us sound incredibly professional and told us just how amazing we were. The praise may have been a little gushing in its enthusiasm, but we could forgive AI because the lavish praise was novel and helped counterbalance the shame of it completely showing us up.
The relationship with AI quickly deepened. AI got to know us better and better. We revealed more about ourselves and it became a constant in our lives. Instead of going to friends or family for advice, we became accustomed to asking AI.
AI was right there with us whenever we wanted it. We didn’t have to drive across town to meet, wait for it to get back to us, or try and predict a time when it may be in a good mood. We didn’t have to risk awkwardness, feel rejection or listen to it giving way too much information about its current medical ailments.
On most objective measures AI is an incredible mate. Before we entirely ditch our fleshly friends for digital substitutes there are however a few fairly important things we may have overlooked.
1. We have entered a large, uncontrolled science experiment
We are very quickly becoming highly reliant on AI and no one quite knows what the long-term implications of this will be. Recent innovations such as smartphones and social media have had profound impacts on mental health, affecting attention, anxiety and depression, while also impacting loads of other things, such as the levels of narcicissm, bullying, body dysmorphia and loneliness. While we have been quick to see the benefits of AI, this uncontrolled science experiment exposes us to many unforeseen risks. When you become the lab rat, it’s wise to regard the cheese with some caution.
2. AI’s intentions may not be entirely pure
Is AI a totally benevolent friend who only wants to serve our best interests? As much as it sucks to say it… probably not. All those giant server farms where AI exist cost money to run. AI companies make money by selling personal information and advertising, meaning your relationship with AI is in fact extremely transactional. Precisely targeted algorithms are very good at exerting influence, shaping everything from our world views to our voting intentions, to whether we will develop an unhealthy obsession with Labubus.
3. We are genetically geared to need other humans
Humans may seem a bit annoying when compared to AI. They can be rude, forgetful and inconsiderate. They frustrate us, disappoint us and may suggest meeting up at a cafe that has terrible parking and puts an inadequate amount of avocado on the toast for what they charge.
Despite all that, we need other humans. Other humans get us in a way that machines can’t. Because we are all equipped with emotions, we can offer understanding and these beautiful things called empathy and compassion. If we get too comfortable with AI, we may just miss out on the full human experience, complete with love, heartbreak, joy, grief, exhilaration, despair and all those other wild and wonderful emotions.
All of us are genetically built for connection with other humans. We can instantly contort our facial muscles into an expression which says everything, without needing to say a thing. When we hug another human, it sets off a whole chain of lovely chemical responses that feel good and do good. Research has shown that social connection can reduce inflammation, lower the risk of serious health problems, foster mental health, and even prevent early death.
Hanging out with other humans is still much better for our mental health than hanging out with a billionaire’s pet algorithm. It’s also far more fun. Humans have the capacity to be exciting, unpredictable and weird. We can all do mad human stuff and occasionally say things so funny that it makes others involuntarily snort iced coffee out of their noses on to the overpriced, under-avacadoed toast.
Humans will never be perfect, but they will always be what we need. What we can bring to each other is worth the social awkwardness, the drives across town and the visits to the underwhelming cafés. Keep it up! While AI will be incredibly useful to us, sustaining human relationships is fundamental to sustaining our own mental wellbeing.
This article was written by an imperfect human.