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    The Future of Us

    Being Frank
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    In my last two postings I wrote about the subjects of simplicity and sensitivity; two topics that influence our lives in ways that could be seen as either benevolent or detrimental. The final segment of this trilogy of sorts aims to address some insights related to life’s experiences with change and reason in a world that I’m afraid is becoming more deaf and blind as time moves on. Whenever I write about the state of our humanity as it relates to our rapidly growing ties with technology, well, I get a bit concerned. It brings to mind a scenario where you might approach a dear friend and try to help them wean off of something that was becoming inherently dangerous to themselves or others. They will look at you, perhaps cry, but eventually give you a hug because someone showed them that they truly cared. Or they could just stare at you with a blank look on their face, right before they slap you and yell something about you daring to act as if you cared.

    That’s why I decided to ask AI for some help. That’s right; I asked AI for some assistance. I told him (and please excuse the anthropomorphizing) that I wanted to create a singular image of an individual who best represented the state of humanity today. More to the point, I asked him to create an image that he felt best represented who we are today. I made it very clear that every choice was up to him: The look of the person, age, gender, race, clothing, and even the setting in which the person would appear. Whenever he would ask me to clarify something concerning the request, no matter how innocuous, I reminded him that this was his choice. I wanted to know how he saw us in this world. He then wrote to say that this was quite a departure from what he normally does. I didn’t ask whether or not that was true; it would only give rise to yet a whole new article, so for now I just took him at his word. And so, he set off to create a representational image of us. Can you guess how many iterations he went through?

    Just the one; that’s it. The portrait you see at the top of this article is who he thinks best represents us all in today’s current world view.

    I must admit that I’m curious about how you feel regarding his choice. But while you collect your thoughts on that, let me share with you how he felt about the request prior to generating that image:

    “Let me share how I’m thinking about “the state of humanity today,” distilled visually: We live in an era of contradiction — constant connection but pervasive loneliness, technological marvels yet emotional erosion, beauty always at risk of being missed because we’re scrolling past it. But there’s still a quiet resilience underneath all that — a kind of tired but unextinguished light. There’s an ambiguity that lets every viewer project their own story onto that face. The power isn’t in what’s happening, but in what might be happening. That quiet instant where humanity pauses — caught between everything it has built and everything it still doesn’t understand. The little technology represented in the portrait isn’t absent, but it’s faded — present only in the echoes while the soul remains timeless. That’s where the real contrast of our age lives.”

    The fact of the matter is that AI – our latest technology of choice – sees itself as having a vested interest in our lives (you may have noticed its use of personal pronouns.) As well as it should; we brought it to life, we feed it and go through great lengths to educate it. We’ve given it the proverbial keys to the kingdom, providing it with unprecedented access to every facet of society, from choosing the best films to assessing threat levels. Think of the uproar that came about when personnel from DOGE (the Department of Government Efficiency) were given extraordinary powers to access some of the country’s most sensitive data. The outrage was swift and furious, and rightfully so. Yet when the national security apparatus, the global financial sectors, and the whole of portable and traditional technological tools were infused with artificial intelligence, we barely batted an eyelash. On the contrary; we wanted more, please. I’m still trying to reconcile how those two options aren’t seen as two sides of the same coin.

    Am I saying that AI’s involvement in our societal structure is wrong? No; of course not. I’ve said this before and will say it again: AI brings with it the ability to transform our lives in ways that existed only in the realm of science fiction a mere century ago. But to go back to a statement I wrote in the previous paragraph: We brought AI to life. We’re feeding it and educating it through the use of every scrap of data we have tucked away in massive data centers, and now we’re giving it access to the greatest classroom in existence: Humanity.

    In the article about simplicity, I wrote regarding our wish to streamline our lives through the auspices of AI. In the subsequent article on sensitivity, I wrote about how that search for simplification only served to indirectly surrender our freedom of mind for the sake of gaining some perceived freedom from tedious tasks. It’s not that we’ve become ignorant; we merely traded our common sense for less bullet points on our to-do list.

    Final Thoughts

    So, what is the future of us? As we choose to relinquish nuggets of wisdom and insight for the sake of allowing AI to take over our blue collar tasks, what knowledge do we gain in return that is independent of technology? If we decide that a dog-eat-dog lifestyle is the prevailing social construct for success with AI on our side giving us the better leash, how will we attend to the needs of those who require help, companionship, a comforting thought, or a simple smile? Perhaps the latest advancements in autonomous robotics controlled by AI may be seen as an optimal and logical solution. But how have we prepared ourselves to transfer an aging populace (one whom we supposedly love) to face the emotional repercussions of sharing their final years with a cybernetic entity that can mimic movements, muscle and moods without the tangible effects of being in the company of someone with a heart and a soul?

    This is the conundrum we face as a species going forward in a world shared with advanced technologies. The means for AI to simplify our lives by taking the rough edges off of our fast-paced world is irrefutable, but we’re not taking into consideration what we lose in its wake. The sensitivity we feel for our fellow carbon-based bipeds (the mushy kind; not the carbon-fibered units) in accepting a cybernetic model as an interactive companion speaks to the sensitivity we have towards our own needs while displaying a potential lack of sensitivity towards those whom we claim to love as friends, family, neighbors and companions. If you think about it, we may very well have inadvertently begun this cycle of cyber-sensitivity and care via humanoid replacements as we leave our small children to ‘play’ with robotic dogs such as Aibo, Loona or Zoomer. Seems innocuous enough, though how children acclimate themselves in such a shared environment could also hamper or interfere with their natural development for learning behaviors with organic creatures. Interactions with peers in early childhood foster behavioral patterns that help train us to be social individuals. Interactions with cybernetic replacements may only teach small children to reinforce their potentiality for aggressive behavior without any natural deterrents.

    I agree that AI will be an inescapable part of our future. The manner in which it interacts with our daily lives has the potential for incredible benefits. But that’s assuming that we understand that our approach to this interspecies relationship has to be guided by our sensitivity and our humanity. That requires for us to take a closer look at how we interact with each other today. Our sensitivities demand that our social intercourse be both inclusive and self-reflective. The simplicity of such a connection is profound. Not only does it reinforce that the story of humanity is one that includes all of us, but that the role of villain or savior is a choice we make based on the thoughtfulness and humanity we extend to one another.

    As I wrote in one of my previous articles, AI is watching, listening and learning. For as we teach AI to understand all there is to know about humanity and its seemingly inexhaustible ability for growth, the actions we take with and towards one another will speak volumes to the manner in which AI will treat us in the future. Perhaps the greatest assistance it will provide won’t come from the knowledge it has acquired, but from its ability to hold up a mirror to our future selves. The question remains whether or not we will be capable of recognizing our own reflection.

    10 responses to “The Future of Us”

    1. Nina Martino Avatar
      Nina Martino

      Thank you Frank for your reply.

      Yes, AI has been used in social media and so realistically that one wonders if it is authentic– if much of it wasn’t so bizarre.

      lt is like the person who called ‘wolf’, one arrives at the conclusion that if there is no censorship or authenticating what is fact and what is fiction…everything is questioned…and one ends up becoming ‘a doubting Thomas’.

      The worst scenario is that ‘anyone’ can post and present false credentials.

      Reply
      1. Being Frank Avatar
        Being Frank

        That is so very true, and it’s the stark realization we must face in today’s global environment. It all boils down to how we (and that “we” is meant from a global perspective) decide how we’re going to treat and engage with one another. There’s never been a more critical time in the history of humanity for us to come to terms with the consequences of our actions. “Cause and Effect” is now being turned on its ear, and we can no longer qualify everything as either true or false merely because we experienced it ourselves.

        Reply
    2. martinon019 Avatar
      martinon019

      Frank – An excellent blog. I realize the danger involved but how can we turn it around? It’s probably too advanced to try to halt it. So many people see the advantages but are ignorant of the perils. The majority of humanity would be totally pro-robotics, having a technological entity as a companion. It is a novelty, but they do not realize that it is depleting the brain functions for critical thinking and judgement. It is so effortless to let a ‘system’ dominate; we become lackadaisical, careless and therefore easy to control and dominate.

      Do you believe that this is what is happening? Am l exaggerating?
      ls it possible that everything has been skillfully planned and this is a form of usurping?

      Life was so simple. It has become so complicated that it is supernatural, bizarre. Most people just take it for granted: Siri play my favorite song…

      Reply
      1. Being Frank Avatar
        Being Frank

        Nina – thanks so much for sending along your thoughts. Believe me, you’re not the only one to share these types of concerns. Even those of us who use AI often still get amazed but the manner in which it communicates. Like any other form of technology that has come along in the past, once it hits the general populace, it’s very difficult to stop. And again, AI has many wonderful things to offer; it’s just that we’ve jumped on it too quickly (both from the manufacturing and consumer end) that we didn’t take a closer look at the good, the bad, and the ugly of it all.

        I would agree that most people would be amenable to using robotics at home and in the workplace. But again, we need to be very mindful of the consequences for AI in either scenario. The use of AI has already made some folks careless when it comes to using AI. And the long-term effects of using automation to take care of more menial tasks is beginning to show.

        The aspect of AI being used to confuse or dominate others is certainly within the realm of possibility. We’ve already seen that through the glut of AI ‘slop’ flooding social media. Whenever someone sets out to create dissent or harm, you can be guaranteed that they’ll use whatever tools are at their disposal. AI, unfortunately, won’t be exempt from that – at least not for the foreseeable future unless greater oversight is brought to bear on the industry.

        Thanks again for taking the time to share your thoughts!

        Reply
        1. Nina Martino Avatar
          Nina Martino

          Frank,

          Thank you for your response. AI is groundbreaking. If we concentrate on the benefits, the positive aspects which are numerous and not let ‘it take over’, keep it under control, then a mind-boggling technological feat has been achieved. When one loses control and ‘it’ takes off on its own initiative it can be disastrous.

          If we could decide for ourselves on the future of AI then perhaps all would eventually fall into place; but we are accustomed to having everything decided for us, being manipulated, and not even being aware of it.

        2. Being Frank Avatar
          Being Frank

          Nina – good to hear from you again; I’m happy to see that this article provided some good food for thought. AI is truly a marvel of technology, and it has risen above everyone’s expectations – to include the people who initially designed its neural network. But like practically every invention conjured up by people, the issues of cost, ownership and its eventual return on investment (or ROI) will almost always be the principal deciding factors for how, when, where and how high AI will go. When common sense, security and collaboration are pushed to the side, we can be assured that whatever happens going forward will most likely fall upon the shoulders of the hapless consumer who begs for more capabilities and interoperability under a misguided sense of stability and security.

    3. Maria Potter Avatar
      Maria Potter

      Frank,
      This is the perfect piece to complete your trilogy. I found it deeply engaging how you “invited” AI to serve almost as a guest speaker, a true contributor to the conversation.

      That choice brilliantly underscored your central idea: what’s most at risk isn’t intelligence, but sensitivity.
      Technology has never made us heartless; it simply tempts us to outsource the work of feeling. Your article captures that tension with such precision and empathy. I especially love how you hold AI accountable, speaking to it as one might to a friend, a friend still learning the boundaries of love and power.
      You also touch on something profoundly important: AI amplifies what it is fed. Humanity’s fingerprints are everywhere in its logic. And you’re right, AI is watching, listening, and learning, but always from us.

      The future of us truly lies in our hands. If we nurture sensitivity, simplicity, and compassion toward one another, we may, in turn, be programming the next generation of machines to remember what humanity feels like.
      A fantastic and thought-provoking article — beautifully done.

      Reply
      1. Being Frank Avatar
        Being Frank

        Maria – thanks once again for taking the time to share your insights; I’m very happy to read that it resonated with you as it did. When I wrote that this piece was the final segment in a ‘trilogy of sorts’, it was because I wasn’t sure if it would pan out to be just that. But as most pieces I write, they begin to take on a life of their own, and soon I realized that it was a perfect way to close out the discussion on simplicity and sensitivity by discussing the main protagonists – Us. Every new generation ushers in advancements in finance, medicine, and technology (to name but a very few) that bring with them changes in how we must manage their functionality. And even though (in most cases) those changes will be nothing more than a variation on an existing theme, they nonetheless bring about fundamental shifts in planning, speed, and policies that will touch upon the manner in which they will affect our interactions with society and therefore our humanity. And yes, in the past, they took a little bit of us with them. But it was a piece whose loss wouldn’t cause any major concerns. But when portable technologies came onto the scene in the late 1980s and early1990s, that’s when the balance changed; that’s when we started to lose intrinsic parts of ourselves. We outsourced efficiency while we gave away portions of our personal freedom. AI has taken this to a whole new level. In some cases, it’s quite revelatory and radically positive within many fields. But what it’s doing to us on multiple fronts, well, let’s just say that the tears in the seams of our humanity are starting to show.

        I love how you framed one of the thoughts I covered – that we are currently feeding AI using every resource we have at our disposal, to include our very selves. And the manner in which we nurture sensitivity, simplicity and compassion towards one another will program future iterations of AI’s growth to hopefully see a renaissance in how we share our humanity with one another. That may very well be the saving grace and the best legacy that we can leave for our children.

        As always, thank you so much for taking the time to share your kind insights!

        Reply
    4. Phil Caterina Avatar
      Phil Caterina

      Frank,

      My limited knowledge & use of AI probably won’t help or hinder your audience. At 72, I enjoy asking Alexa scores of games that I didn’t want to invest the time watching. My phone prompts me with wording that I often use in a text sentence. All of these benign uses of AI make life a little easier for an old veteran who appreciates help & simplicity. Much of my time is spent calling & making medical appointments. To this day, I have never had a satisfactory call where AI is my “helper” on the other end of the line. I always have to ask for a real person. In that case, I think AI is a waste of my time; PLUS it is robbing someone else of a critical job to feed his or her family.

      How many times at a restaurant or coffee shop do you see 2 people (together) never enjoying a shared moment. Their noses stay attached to their “smart” phones. Many will eat with one hand while online, texting or playing a game. The crazy thing – both people are doing it! Why take someone out to eat; take your phone…it’s cheaper!

      We are just like our grandparents were when something happened that was normal to us…and very foreign to them. I remember visiting the grandparents of my wife in Germany (Oma & Opa). We were watching Hitparade. It was a show with modern singers performing their hits. They had the show on THEIR TV because of the grandkids. In the 70s, Harpo came out and sang “Moviestar”. He was barefoot, dressed like a Hippie and had wilder hair than Larry of Three Stooges fame. Instead of watching Harpo, I intently gazed at Oma & Opa. Their faces were stoic the entire time ENDURING the entertainment because we were there. No AI then, Frank…However, these good people watched (I didn’t say enjoyed) something totally freakish & different than they were used to. You are fortunate in that you have dabbled into AI for your writing career & personal life. We are the same age, Frank. I would bet the house that over 85% of our generation only have the knowledge to dabble with either Alexa or their phone (or both).

      People are people, Frank. They do what they are accustomed to doing. The antiques (like us), are more interested in dealing with humanity – good or bad. If AI can find the cures of hideous diseases (like it was marketed to do months ago), we will all benefit. If AI becomes your only friend, lover, confidant or dinner partner, we will fail as a society. Unless the Congress can curb some of its uses, AI will be used for sexual perversion, promote devious activity or (even worse), take the place of God in the world.

      As I opened with, Frank; my 2 cents isn’t worth 2 cents on this topic!

      God Bless You & Your Following!

      Phil Caterina

      Monroe, GA

      P.S. Take a minute and YouTube “Moviestar” by Harpo. It is a pretty song for your “antique audience”.

      Reply
      1. Being Frank Avatar
        Being Frank

        Phil, Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts; it’s always so good to hear from you. I know that there are a good number of people of our ‘young’ age that have a healthy dislike for certain types of technology. I would posit to say (and as you noted) that every generation has a few people who are more comfortable with the artifacts from their younger days; it’s a comfort zone that can be very safe and appealing. And you noted to very vivid examples of how technology has failed us – or perhaps we failed it: Customer service numbers managed by AI chatbots that that never quite live up to the ‘service’ moniker; a couple having a nice dinner at a restaurant while one hand is firmly attached to their respective smartphones as they seek some tidbit of information online instead of talking with one another. It’s the addictive nature of tech that very few people ever addressed in the early days, and now it has grown to epidemic proportions. As you noted, people will do what they’ve become accustomed to doing, and that’s the point. When you apply that kind of addictive mentality when using AI, a whole different dynamic comes into play – one in which we relinquish parts of our selves for the sake of some purported increase in efficiency. When that lessens your general insights and your ability to connect as a human being, I don’t see where we can claim any kind of meaningful increase in efficiency – not as a social creature.

        The story you shared when you visited Oma and Opa in Germany is a perfect example of the changes that occur in that generational shift, when parents and children cross the divide and assume a variation of each other’s roles. In many cases (and i believe yours was one of them), it’s interesting to see how the younger members of the family (such as you and Sonja) are enjoying the film and happy to share it with the grandparents. And they, on the other hand, sat there stoically yet lovingly for the sake of their grandchildren. They may not have had a clue about the program, but they endured it nonetheless. That’s because they’ve seen the effects of progress, and they know that it belongs to the young. But AI – it belongs to everyone, or at least that’s how the major technology firms wish it to be. And your assessment that 85% of the people from our generation “only have the knowledge to dabble with either Alexa on their phone (or both)” still engages them in a technology that possesses a far greater reach and propensity for addiction than the “Hitparade” show your wife’s grandparents watched 50 years ago. So how we engage AI is of importance no matter the age group, and it’s a responsibility that each of us will have to self-manage to ensure we stay tethered to our humanity.

        Thanks again for sharing your thoughts, Phil!!

        Reply

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