We now live in a world in which we must accept that AI will be a part of our lives. I know you’ve seen it, AI is everywhere, when you Google a question, when you ask ChatGPT for some help putting together an email, or maybe AI is being integrated into your job. I have seen people use AI for mental health counseling! However, what do we do when AI begins to take the place of connection?  Because nothing replaces the connection we need as human beings.

Biologically, we are tied to each other. As babies, we are not capable for caring for ourselves and must rely on the help of a trusted and safe adult. The connection with that person is essential for our survival. Therefore, we must think of connection not just as a “nice to have”, but as an imperative like food and water.  

We see the impacts of social isolation on those around us, especially younger generations. Anxiety and depression rates have gone up in Gen Z due to the use of smartphones and social media. AI will only exacerbate the problem of social media, leading to even more unrealistic beauty standards, and the promise of connection with a robot for those kids and teens feeling disillusioned by their peers.

I propose that in order to fight against the loneliness and isolation that AI might bring, we must act in connection with each other. We don’t need to do anything huge, we can take small actions often in order to feel connected to each other. Take your headphones out of your ears and say hello to your neighbor. Join a volunteer group at a local nonprofit. Ask your grocery checker or your barista how their day is going. Show genuine care and curiosity toward the people around you.

The more that we connect, even in small ways, the more we feel seen and the more we want to extend that connection to others. We can’t avoid the future of AI, but we can fight like hell to stay human through connection if AI is going to be part of our future.

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