Over the past ±18 months, AI has become all the rage. Everyone seems to be clamoring about the jobs it will eliminate; about the jobs it will create; how it will make our lives better; how it will ruin civilization; how it will have a greater impact on the world than anyone can imagine. Some are comparing it to Guttenberg and the Internet.
It’s either going to be our savior or our downfall. Or somewhere in between.
The Tearsheet has made a conscious effort to stay away from AI – with one glaring exception. About a year ago, we featured a piece on AI and then the following month asked it to write a follow-up to our original article. Which it did. We published it as is. It was interesting. Not very informative or entertaining. But interesting.
What’s the point
The point is that, for all the potential good that may arise from AI, in our day-to-day lives – whether it’s personal, business, education, or whatever – it all still requires the personal touch. An endless lineup of political and business leaders, psychologists and other scientists caution about the necessity to maintain and nurture personal contacts and relationships.
People still buy from people. People still hire people. And as distasteful as it may sound on some levels, people still have to live with people. All that we’re saying is to not be too quick to jump on the AI bandwagon and ditch your personal contacts and interactions. As screwed up as the world may be and regardless of how many idiots are out there running around, there are still few sane and hearty souls milling about.
At the end of the day, as great as AI may be (or could become) you still need the personal.
“We are here on earth to do good unto others. What the others are here for, I have no idea.”
— W.H. Auden, British-American poet