What Makes Us Human in the Age of AI? A Psychologist and a Technologist Answer | TED Intersections

AI's Impact on Human Interaction

• Spending a significant amount of time, four to five hours, in track AI reveals the inauthentic aspects of AI interactions, similar to how the novelty of black and white television eventually faded. (56s)
• AI interactions lack the spontaneity, natural communication, contextual awareness, and subtle nuances present in human interactions. (1m19s)

AI's Potential for Convergence and Divergence

• There is a concern that increased interaction with AI could lead to convergence, where people become more similar in their communication and thought patterns. (8m30s)
• There is a contrasting concern that AI could lead to divergence, with individuals inhabiting isolated social environments tailored to their preferences. (9m20s)

AI and Personalized Experiences

• People used to consume the same media, leading to shared experiences, but now personalized media consumption creates isolated realities. (10m0s)
• Games often lead players through similar experiences, raising questions about agency and the impact of media on our perception of control over our lives. (10m13s)

AI and the Limits of Human Understanding

• AI is developing at a time when our understanding of human intelligence and neuroscience is still in its early stages, making it crucial to consider the potential consequences of creating systems based on our limited knowledge. (13m33s)

AI's Potential for Agency and Control

• AI can be used to give users more agency in how they interact with media and technology. (15m19s)
• There is a concern that AI systems could be used to bias and control users. (17m23s)

AI's Economic and Social Implications

• The economic model of AI development, which prioritizes scale and compute power, could lead to a monopolistic tendency in the industry. (18m56s)
• The widespread use of AI designed for billions of people raises concerns about its impact on diversity and the potential for monetization through methods like advertisements. (19m31s)
• AI's ability to capture attention more effectively than existing algorithms on platforms like YouTube and Instagram is acknowledged as a potential concern. (20m2s)

The Importance of Human Connection

• Human connection is emphasized as the defining characteristic of being human, surpassing the significance of consciousness and other preconditions. (21m46s)
• Humans require social connection and experience negative consequences, both mentally and physically, without it. (24m26s)

Technology and the Illusion of Social Connection

• Technology may give the impression of fulfilling the need for social connection without actually doing so, potentially leading to mental health issues. (25m10s)
• Humans often mistake the desire for personal achievement with the need for meaning, which is fundamentally tied to social connection. (25m26s)