In a period of rapid technological progress, globalization, and social upheavals, humanism still matters. It has always mattered – but never more so than today.
The 21st century has pushed many technologies forward, particularly in the field of artificial intelligence. AI has greatly influenced many industries and everyday life. As powerful as these new tools are, they also must come with ethical responsibility. Dignity, reason, and ethics need to rise above, especially with the rise of AI and the myriad conflicts brewing up across the world.
This is where humanism becomes not only important but necessary. AI without proper restrictions runs the risk of creating things it shouldn’t; this is evident with pictures, videos, and comment threads being doctored to fit a narrative. While they are extremely helpful, much like all things, they can be used for extremely nefarious practices.
While AI can do a great many things, it cannot truly understand the world around it.
Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool, no doubt about that. It speeds up the progress of your work if you use it correctly, but it has its caveats. While AI can do a great many things, it cannot truly understand the world around it. It is, by its very nature, logical. It doesn’t have feelings, experiences, or values – only patterns and probabilities.
Being too reliant on AI without critical thinking will only affect you negatively. That is why human judgment matters more than ever. AI can be a helpful assistant (even a capable collaborator) but it should never replace or take your agency.
A good example of such a thing would be from fiction, such as the Halo video game series. In it, AI works in tandem with humanity; it feeds their human partners the necessary information to help them make the best decision for a situation. It doesn’t take away a person’s agency but rather helps them make better decisions.
As we continue to surge forward into the future, humanism offers a hopeful answer – one grounded in human potential, mutual respect, and the enduring power of reason and compassion. Let us use our tools, including AI, not to dominate or divide, but to uplift, heal, and create a better tomorrow. That is why humanism matters now more than ever.
