How do we embrace AI without sacrificing humanity?

In the fast-paced realm of marketing, professionals are frequently reminded of the necessity to embrace Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies to stay ahead. I quite often get comments like “If you don’t embrace it, you’ll be left behind and your business will suffer.”

Now, I am aware there are many different forms of AI and they aren’t just limited to the writing and image generation platforms. But, for the purpose of this article, that’s where my attention is focused.

I am not saying I won’t embrace AI, but, I am also rather protective of my own natural brain power and (possibly naively) I sometimes wonder whether one day my brain will become a commodity in amongst a sea of lazy thinkers.

I am always coming up with ideas, my vivid imagination and whimsical desire to change the world for the betterment of everyone is always ticking over. It floats my boat to look at life’s challenges and think of solutions. Not all of them are good, not all of them are commercially viable, and not all of them will see the light of day, but when I do stumble across one of those “ah ha” moments, the internal celebration and the passion it evokes is rather satisfying.

Looking back at significant changes (in my lifetime alone) that have rightly or wrongly impacted intelligence:

Example 1: Maths

Remember when your maths teacher used to say “You won’t always have a calculator in your pocket.” Well, Mr. Higgins, look at us all now. But, at what cost? There is no denying that maths proficiency is in decline. According to the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) 2022, results show 49% of Australian 15-year-olds failed to meet the minimum national standards in mathematics. *Source ACER

Example 2: Spelling

The rise of digital communication tools and spellcheck features has changed the landscape of spelling and grammar forever. While these tools are convenient, should we not be concerned about their impact on the development of strong communication skills? NAPLAN, a nationwide assessment program in Australia, provides insights into students' literacy and numeracy skills. According to the 2019 NAPLAN results, only 60.2% of Year 9 students achieved the national minimum standard for writing.

Adult Learning Australia reports that “1 in 7 Australians (14%) have very poor literacy skills and 1 in 3 (30%) Australians have literacy skills low enough to make them vulnerable to unemployment and social exclusion. *Source: ARACY

These statistics and facts support the notion that, despite technological advancements, there are challenges in maintaining high levels of proficiency in mathematics and spelling and overall literacy in Australia. The data underscores the need for a balanced approach to education that integrates technology while prioritising the development of fundamental skills that develop brain function.

Why do these examples matter?

Simply because, without the basics, how will we as humans ever tackle the complexities?

So, as we accelerate forward into embracing new technology, should we be pausing to consider the potential ramifications on both individual well-being and the fabric of our society?

Here are just a few key points from the many conversations I have had with people over the last few months:

The Neurochemical Impact

One concern is the potential impact on our neurochemistry. Serotonin, dopamine, and endorphins, the trio responsible for our sense of happiness and well-being, may face a downturn if individuals relinquish the cognitive processes required for problem-solving. As we delegate complex tasks to AI, are we inadvertently sacrificing the very processes that contribute to our mental resilience?

The Mental Health Epidemic

In an era grappling with a staggering mental health issues, it is crucial to assess how mass AI adoption may exacerbate existing challenges. High suicide rates in countries like Australia underline the importance of this issue. Could the reliance on AI contribute to a further decline in the production of these essential neurotransmitters, potentially aggravating mental health struggles even more?

The Unbiased Information Challenge

As AI takes centre stage in dictating information, surely the shadow of biased, censored narratives looms. Ensuring that AI-generated content is free from prejudice demands a meticulous examination of the algorithms driving these processes and well, who’s in charge of this and can they be trusted? How can we safeguard the distribution of unbiased, uncensored information in an AI-driven landscape?

Guarding Against Malevolence

Is the fear of AI being used for evil and mass indoctrination a valid concern or have I been watching too many sci-fi movies? How do we establish robust ethical frameworks, stringent regulations, and comprehensive oversight to prevent the misuse of AI? Striking a balance between innovation and ethical responsibility is essential.

Preserving Creativity

In the marketing world, the adoption of AI introduces a whole heap of winding bends to navigate. Can AI driven regulation stifle the very essence of creativity that defines successful marketing campaigns? Ensuring that campaigns remain innovative, humorous, and fresh requires a delicate dance between human ingenuity and AI efficiency.

Stifling Innovation

If everyone turns to the same AI algorithms for inspiration, how can businesses differentiate themselves and foster a culture of unique creativity and brand essence? How do we balance leveraging AI capabilities and speeding up the mundane, whilst preserving the distinct human touch in innovation is vital for sustained competitive advantage?

Dissatisfaction with Naturality

Additionally, in the realm of mass-produced AI-generated images within the digital landscape, we are inundated with manipulations of human figures, both real and non-existent, deemed by us as "stunning." This extends to AI-enhanced depictions of nature too.

Take, for instance, the widespread use of AI in advertising. Many brands now use AI to depict an idealised version of humans, sparking numerous comments praising their flawless appearance. This new era echoes the impact of photoshopped celebrities in the 90s, which led to a surge in body dissatisfaction. Recent statistics indicate that the pressure to attain these unrealistic standards has contributed to an increase in plastic surgery procedures, affecting both women and men (though that’s probably a whole other article in itself). But, is being hit with so many images of ‘the perfect looking’ humans when none of us will ever be able to achieve that, healthy for society? Absolutely not!

Another example I saw recently was an image of Sydney with an alien like storm cell encroaching the city. Sure, it was a sight to behold, but it was very clearly AI generated. Whilst the masses flocked to state how wonderfully unique and beautiful it was, I couldn’t help but feel sad that being exposed to AI generated images of nature will mean that nothing in reality will impress us anymore.

And yet again, the questions of mental health and the release of happy hormones as mentioned earlier on are thrown into question.

At this stage of AI adoption, I honestly don’t have the answers, just a whole heap of questions that someone far smarter than me may be able to provide some insight on. But are these not the type of discussions we should be having now before it causes irreversible damage on society that we haven’t yet completed a risk assessment on?

We’re currently standing at the crossroads of innovation and responsibility, where the decisions we make today will shape the future of humanity. Who is responsible for ensuring it matures into a force that will lift society rather than diminish the essence of us as humans? As we navigate this technological revolution, let’s hope our discussions can be guided by a collective commitment to fostering innovation without sacrificing the core values that define us as beautiful living, breathing, unique human beings.