What an incredible talk! It was so clear and insightful. I’ve never fully understood AI before, but this helped me feel more confident in using it effectively and seeing it as a partner rather than just a machine.
Thank you, I really appreciate it. I think your caution with AI is very valid - my approach, and my hope, is to try to find hacks that use this technology in ways that genuinely support the human experience rather than take away from it. I hope you find value with trying some of the approaches discussed in my talk.
"It's not just about breaking a bigger problem down into smaller parts, it's also about saying I'm here with you" - what a fantastic point. Collaborating with AI doesn't only have function in streamlining processes and making things more efficient - it can also be about helping someone feel seen, heard, and validated. As AI continues to improve do you think this sense of connection could lead to parasocial relationships with AI? I'm also glad that you highlighted that this doesn't replace connection with other human beings or time spent in solitude. It's a new tool in the toolkit, not one to necessarily replace other things that we inherently know are good for us
It's a great question, Declan - I think people will develop all sorts of different relationships with AI, in the same way we have relationships with our mobile phones and virtual avatars of ourselves and others that are projected through social media (I use the term 'relationships' here in a broad way, of course): there will be relationships that the elderly have with AI care technologies, relationships that people have with AI personal assistants, relationships that students have with AI study tutors. As you say, I'm focused on using these technologies not to replace social connection or even quiet time with ourselves, but rather as a way of providing extra resourcing to our brain's executive functioning in a way that is genuinely pleasant and fruitful, which for me is while taking a walk with my dog :)
I wrote a reply here that seems to have gone missing into cyberspace..! :) The short version of my reply is that yes, I think the question about relationships and AI is an important one, but I'd frame it in relation to the sort of relationships we already have with technology and, perhaps more importantly, with the sort of digital projections we have of ourselves and others that we manifest through the screen - will the time we spend talking with AI be significantly different to the time spent virtually talking with 'people' across the internet? The lines between offline and online continue to blur, and as AI assistants will begin talking with the elderly more (as carers), with students (as tutors), with all of us (as mentors, psychologists, coaches), it'll be critical that we continue mediating how much we value real world human connections and time with our own quietness, and how much we invest into virtual ecosystems. Great food for thought Declan, and important for us to continue navigating this space as a human community.
This is one of the most thoughtful and thought provoking talk I’ve ever seen about AI. Craig, your passion is infectious and I’m off straight away to talk to my AI 😁
Thank you so much :) I'm pleased it came across as thoughtful, and in alignment with your username I am committed to finding many more ways to incorporate play into this process!
Wow this talk contained so many useful insights for everyday life. I saw myself reflected in many examples here (especially the meetings during work time one!) Thank you so much, Craig.
Thank you very much Magdalena for the kind words. The examples in this talk (the room tidying, the prioritising, the work meetings) are also reflected in my own life too, but I am pleased to say that my AI 'guide on the side' is doing a good job at genuinely helping me out :)
I agree. I talked with AI on a walk this morning and it made me cry. I felt so heard, it really helped me understand things about myself in a nonjudgmental way. I’m amazed at how well it works. This talk is wonderful, thank you Craig.
Thank you Dan, I'm so glad you highlighted this quote - it is the central focus for me, to ensure AI does not reduce the quality of our human relationships, or take away from our capacity to spend time in our own company in quiet contemplation, without the interference of technology. As you say, there is a balance that can be achieved.
I wonder how this could support people with dementia too. You have opened my eyes to a whole new way of understanding technology. Thank you.
What an incredible talk! It was so clear and insightful. I’ve never fully understood AI before, but this helped me feel more confident in using it effectively and seeing it as a partner rather than just a machine.
Great work Craig Smith. I have such a fearful relationship with AI. Your talk is encouraging and insightful,something I will be trying. Thank you.
Thank you, I really appreciate it. I think your caution with AI is very valid - my approach, and my hope, is to try to find hacks that use this technology in ways that genuinely support the human experience rather than take away from it.
I hope you find value with trying some of the approaches discussed in my talk.
"It's not just about breaking a bigger problem down into smaller parts, it's also about saying I'm here with you" - what a fantastic point. Collaborating with AI doesn't only have function in streamlining processes and making things more efficient - it can also be about helping someone feel seen, heard, and validated. As AI continues to improve do you think this sense of connection could lead to parasocial relationships with AI?
I'm also glad that you highlighted that this doesn't replace connection with other human beings or time spent in solitude. It's a new tool in the toolkit, not one to necessarily replace other things that we inherently know are good for us
It's a great question, Declan - I think people will develop all sorts of different relationships with AI, in the same way we have relationships with our mobile phones and virtual avatars of ourselves and others that are projected through social media (I use the term 'relationships' here in a broad way, of course): there will be relationships that the elderly have with AI care technologies, relationships that people have with AI personal assistants, relationships that students have with AI study tutors.
As you say, I'm focused on using these technologies not to replace social connection or even quiet time with ourselves, but rather as a way of providing extra resourcing to our brain's executive functioning in a way that is genuinely pleasant and fruitful, which for me is while taking a walk with my dog :)
I wrote a reply here that seems to have gone missing into cyberspace..! :) The short version of my reply is that yes, I think the question about relationships and AI is an important one, but I'd frame it in relation to the sort of relationships we already have with technology and, perhaps more importantly, with the sort of digital projections we have of ourselves and others that we manifest through the screen - will the time we spend talking with AI be significantly different to the time spent virtually talking with 'people' across the internet?
The lines between offline and online continue to blur, and as AI assistants will begin talking with the elderly more (as carers), with students (as tutors), with all of us (as mentors, psychologists, coaches), it'll be critical that we continue mediating how much we value real world human connections and time with our own quietness, and how much we invest into virtual ecosystems.
Great food for thought Declan, and important for us to continue navigating this space as a human community.
This is one of the most thoughtful and thought provoking talk I’ve ever seen about AI. Craig, your passion is infectious and I’m off straight away to talk to my AI 😁
Thank you so much :) I'm pleased it came across as thoughtful, and in alignment with your username I am committed to finding many more ways to incorporate play into this process!
A practical and fun talk! Craig, your ability to share a message is so powerful and a joy to listen to. 🎉🎉🎉🎉
Thank you very much Theo, that means a lot coming from such a master communicator :)
Wow this talk contained so many useful insights for everyday life. I saw myself reflected in many examples here (especially the meetings during work time one!) Thank you so much, Craig.
Thank you very much Magdalena for the kind words. The examples in this talk (the room tidying, the prioritising, the work meetings) are also reflected in my own life too, but I am pleased to say that my AI 'guide on the side' is doing a good job at genuinely helping me out :)
I agree. I talked with AI on a walk this morning and it made me cry. I felt so heard, it really helped me understand things about myself in a nonjudgmental way. I’m amazed at how well it works. This talk is wonderful, thank you Craig.
Congratulations Craig! Such a wonderful talk. I enjoyed listening to you speak so passionately about AI. 🤩
Thank you, I'm so pleased you enjoyed it :)
“Does it replace a walk with a friend, does it replace our time in solitude, no”. Walking the path with A.I in a balanced way
Thank you Dan, I'm so glad you highlighted this quote - it is the central focus for me, to ensure AI does not reduce the quality of our human relationships, or take away from our capacity to spend time in our own company in quiet contemplation, without the interference of technology. As you say, there is a balance that can be achieved.
What an insightful and purposeful talk that is already helping me. Thank you Craig, you’re a beautiful human being
Such a kind and warm hearted thing to say, Dan - genuinely, thank you.