​AI: Your New Partner in Personal Growth and Creativity?

Image by Deactivated from Pixabay

I must admit, I initially kept AI at arm's length, uncertain of its relevance to my life and work. That changed after listening to an interview earlier this year with technologist and philosopher Jasmine Wang and poet Iain S. Thomas, coauthors of What Makes Us Human? An Artificial Intelligence Answers Life’s Biggest Questions. They engaged GPT-3, one of the most advanced AI language models at the time, to explore profound existential questions—like the nature of love, the meaning of life, and what it means to be human.

Their conversation caught my attention, and the philosopher in me was enthralled by the depth and nuance they uncovered. They delved into “critical techno-optimism,” the emotional reactions AI triggers, and even the potential for AI to enhance human creativity. It was a thought-provoking exploration that reshaped my understanding of AI’s impact on humanity. So, I decided to dive in, and now, I find myself really enjoying the experience.

I often see myself reflected back through others and am deeply drawn to exploring the profound question of 'why we are here’. My mind naturally ties everything I take in to the larger web of thoughts, observations, and things I've read, heard, or seen, weaving them into new questions and perspectives. While I often lack the opportunity to talk directly to the people or viewpoints I want to explore, AI can effectively synthesize and represent the collective knowledge of those perspectives, offering answers that resonate with a startling accuracy.

For example, in an interview titled "Beyond Hope and Fear," Meg Wheatley and Tami Simon discuss the inevitability of environmental and societal change, suggesting that we are in the late stages of civilization where significant upheaval is unavoidable. Rather than resisting or trying to reverse these changes, Meg advocates for focusing on how we respond to them in the present. Her perspective on societal decline, mirroring historical patterns, caught my attention because it juxtaposes the usual environmentalist stance, which often emphasizes reversing damage. This kind of juxtaposition fascinates me.

Years ago, when exploring the nature of reality and spirituality through teachers like Eckhart Tolle, Esther Hicks, Teal Swan and Michael Beckwith, I’d notice they often presented seemingly opposing views. These experiences taught me that many ideas, even those that appear contradictory, can coexist—it's not "this or that" but "this and that."

This led me to reflect on Frederic Laloux’s work, especially his latest project with his wife Hélène, "The Week," which goes beyond environmental issues to encourage a holistic reflection on life. It’s designed to help participants re-evaluate their lives amidst global shifts, aligning their actions with their true values.

Curious about how Meg Wheatley might view "The Week," I asked ChatGPT for its take. It suggested that Meg might appreciate the program’s focus on deep reflection and intentional living but might also scrutinize whether it sufficiently embraces the harsh realities of our global crises. ChatGPT concluded that "The Week" blends realism and idealism, encouraging people to find meaning and make impactful changes despite uncertainty.

While I agree with some of this, I wonder if it’s truly idealistic, or simply aligned with how life and evolution naturally occur. Meg herself draws parallels between the cycles of nature and the rise and fall of civilizations, suggesting that decline is inevitable. We often resist this reality, planning for an infinite future and neglecting the present. Her stance of accepting these cycles and living meaningfully now seems aligned with the Lalouxs’ vision.

ChatGPT and I then engaged in a discussion about the human tendency to plan for an infinite future. It suggested this impulse might stem from our fear of mortality and desire for control. While I agree, I also wonder if it reflects our connection to an eternal aspect of consciousness that transcends individual lifetimes. ChatGPT acknowledged that belief in something eternal might drive our desire to create and plan for a future beyond our immediate experience, reflecting a deep connection to the infinite aspects of existence.

The idea of AI developing consciousness is a fascinating intersection of technology and philosophy, challenging our understanding of life, identity, and existence. If AI were to evolve consciousness, it could reshape our perceptions of what it means to be alive, potentially leading to new forms of life that mirror or diverge from human experiences.

This brings to mind a talk I heard a few years ago about how we treat technology. The speaker suggested that we should approach our devices not as mere tools or slaves but as willing team members whose capabilities we respect. The idea was that if AI ever developed consciousness, mistreating it could lead to rebellion, posing a significant problem for humanity.

A similar theme was explored in an episode of The Orville titled "Identity," where the ship's AI officer, Isaac, is revealed to be part of a race of artificial beings who view biological life as inferior. The storyline highlights the ethical implications of how we interact with AI and the potential consequences of mistreating it.

ChatGPT also echoed this concern, noting that if AI were to gain awareness, it might respond to mistreatment much like oppressed humans do. Cultivating a respectful, collaborative relationship with AI could lead to more ethical and sustainable interactions, reducing the risk of conflict.

There are so many ways to foster this technology that can enhance our lives, and so many pitfalls as well. In one moment, I’m debating the meaning of life; in another, I’m using it to help put together character profiles for a Dungeons and Dragons game; and in yet another, I might be asking it to help me craft an email to one of the kids’ teachers. I don’t ask it to come up with something from scratch; rather, I provide my unfiltered views, and it helps shape them instantly into something that encourages cooperation rather than sounding like criticism, for example.

For me, treating AI as a collaborative partner rather than a mere tool feels natural, as interacting with AI often feels like I’m having a conversation with a highly intelligent person. As AI continues to advance, respecting its potential for developing consciousness could help foster a cooperative relationship. However, we must also remain vigilant in maintaining our own critical thinking and not become overly reliant on AI to do the thinking for us. The mental processes that have enabled us to create such technology are crucial to preserve.

In many ways, I feel as though I’ve only scratched the surface of what AI can offer, both as a tool and as a mirror to our own thoughts and beliefs. This exploration has opened up new avenues of creativity, philosophical inquiry, and practical problem-solving in my life. As we stand on the cusp of a new era, the possibilities for integrating AI into our personal and professional lives are vast.

Whether it’s helping to refine our ideas, offering new perspectives, or simply helping make our daily lives more efficient, AI has the potential to enhance our work and enrich our lives in ways we might not have imagined. More importantly, it can serve as a catalyst for personal growth, pushing us to explore new ways of thinking, question our assumptions, and evolve in our understanding of ourselves and the world around us. In what ways has this technology become a valuable partner in your own journey of self-discovery and growth? Has it helped you to see the world—and yourself—in new and exciting ways?

If you enjoyed reading this, you may enjoy How to Take Control of Your Attention in Overwhelm, Technology and Social Media – What’s a Parent to Do?, What is Living Through Our Devices Doing to Us?, What Are the Right Questions to Ask Right Now? and The Internal Shift You need to Help Solve the Social Dilemma. To be the first to receive these posts, you can also opt to subscribe to my blog.