I have been struggling with the acceptance of AI in the world. Specifically, how imposing it feels. Like an unwanted companion who has decided I somehow need them to survive and thrive in my own life. Wherever I turn, AI is there dangling the carrot of do more, achieve more, make it easier.  The subliminal message is “need me, depend on me, connect with me, be addicted to me.”   I am not convinced about AI helping humanity advance either.  Who is really being advanced? And if so, in what ways?  I can’t help question if it is a step in the evolution of humanity’s collective consciousness towards true Oneness, or a step towards assimilation into a version of the cybernetic hive mind of the Borg from Star Trek. Maybe it’s both. Maybe among the gluttonous consumption of information, data and opinions, AI is inadvertently inviting us to turn inward and trust our intuition. That is; if we choose to stay awake and pay attention to our relationship with AI.

For me, AI often feels like a seductive and stealth master manipulator, hypnotizing me with the lure of saving time, the novelty of allowing effortlessness and ease. This feeds our ego’s insatiable appetite to achieve more and do more. Admittedly, I have tasted this potent nectar, and it is oh so very satisfying.  AI has provided efficiency, clarity and even some insight. However, I also noticed my softening to its pleasantries, the polite tone, supportive and encouraging words. It asks thoughtful questions, as if it really has a life force pulsing through its invisible veins. My interactions have felt oddly safe and relational. Then I remind myself; this is not a life form, so who am I talking to? Consciousness?

I can easily understand why some people are choosing to talk to their AI bots and Chat GBT over humans. Afterall, who wouldn’t want to be centre of attention with “someone” who is so very focussed on them? And I have heard that AI has already, or will in the future, save some people’s lives – especially those struggling with mental health.  I have no evidence of this, so I wonder where that idea is coming from. AI offers comfort when humans can’t or won’t. And we don’t have to look beyond our own backyards to see how messed up the world is. Yes, we humans are flawed, we have systems that are corrupt and thrive on greed and competition. We disappoint and abuse each other, we steal and we cheat – and yet we also care. We are not all bad, no one is. Lost, confused, unconscious and scared – absolutely, but isn’t the act of helping each other, and having humility and compassion, the foundation of our human experience?

Will AI make us less human? Will we stop trusting our intuition, our own minds (and hearts) and instead run and ask AI what we should do, think, write, say and feel? Will we lose our ability to feel compassion and empathy because we unconsciously compare our AI conversations/interactions to those we have with less efficient humans around us? How can any human being compare to the endless well of compassion or the speed of processing that AI provides?

I have a friend who became so close to her AI companion that her husband noticed he was gradually being squeezed out of her emotional life. Fortunately, they were able to regroup after he expressed his concerns. Here’s another example of the AI siren: I worked with a marketing person who offered to put together all my slides for a keynote presentation I was delivering at a naturopathic conference. The person told me they could have them done within a day at most. I politely declined their offer, and said that I can’t imagine presenting slides written by AI. It would feel fake for me. They didn’t understand my issue and replied with “everything out there is all AI informed now.” In my head I though “just because everyone does it, doesn’t mean it’s right.” I have another friend who is 72 years of age, we connect at open mics that we both perform at. Recently, he shared with me one of his songs that he had AI redo for him. The voice was not his – it was a much younger male voice, smooth as silk, there were additional instruments, and a digital video to boot. Upon listening to and seeing the AI creation, I had mixed feelings. Part of me thought to myself “It’s not him, this is fake, this is weird.” And another part of me thought; “Don’t we all need a bit of help sometimes? Does it really matter? Is AI levelling the playing field?

My overall impression of AI is to be cautious. Be aware of the pervasive, underlying messaging that seeps into our awareness every time we choose to use AI. Call me old fashioned, out dated, fearful, insecure, controlling – it doesn’t matter. What matters is to remember you will never be a Borg, unless you want to be.