Opinion: The War Against Humanity (Hint: AI Is Winning)

Entire office floors that were once filled with workers sit silent as employees are replaced with lines of code. Headlines scream of unemployment spikes and industries collapsing under the weight of automation. Technology has developed to the point of no control. Chaos reigns as robots begin an uprising against humanity. As focus turns to these dramatic science-fiction fears, the real danger lies hidden in the subtle social shifts that have already taken root. In today’s fast-paced world of artificial intelligence, something important is slipping through the cracks: our ability and need to connect with each other.

College students, for instance, increasingly turn to AI tools like ChatGPT for help with assignments instead of engaging with their professors or teaching assistants during office hours. While this may feel efficient, it undermines an important learning process that thrives on discussion, debate, and clarification. Office hours not only answer students’ questions but also create opportunities to form mentorships, explore ideas, and build confidence that AI cannot mimic.

This trend is not limited to the classroom. In workplaces and personal settings, people often use AI to draft emails, reports, and messages. While AI-generated text may be grammatically correct and convenient, the sense of warmth and authenticity of human writing is lost. These qualities are essential to creating a connection between sender and recipient, even if it’s over a screen. Although AI can convey a message, it is far from replicating human emotions.

Another example of how AI is replacing human interaction is in mental health support. To avoid scheduling appointments and pricey therapy sessions, people are turning to AI chatbots. While these tools can provide accessible relief for those reluctant to seek help, they cannot truly replicate human empathy. As Forbes notes, AI therapy tools can offer quick advice or reassurance, but lack the deep understanding and responsiveness of licensed professionals who are trained to notice subtle cues, build trust, and respond compassionately.

Human beings are social animals. Our ability to express emotion, communicate face-to-face, and interpret nonverbal cues is critical to understanding ourselves and others. As we continue to outsource our interactions to machines, we risk creating a more efficient society that is also more isolated, artificial, and emotionally detached.

So, what can society do to preserve our humanity in the new age of AI?

First, we must start early. Parents can nurture their children’s emotional intelligence by encouraging open conversations, modeling vulnerability, and spending quality time together without screens. Emotional skills such as recognizing and managing feelings are the foundation for long-term mental and social well-being.

Second, schools and universities should intentionally create spaces for human interaction. Administrators and educators can encourage collaborative group work, Socratic discussions, and one-on-one mentoring to help reinforce the value of learning from each other. This brings a much-needed balance to today’s technology-dominated curriculum.

Third, we need to become more mindful about when and why we use AI. Before asking a chatbot to write a message or provide information, remember to ask yourself these vital questions: Is this an opportunity to make a connection with someone? Can I learn more from a conversation than a quick automated response? Am I relying on AI out of habit or necessity? Choosing human interaction, even when it’s less convenient, can have long-term benefits for our relationships and mental health.

Finally, we must reinvest in our communities. Whether through volunteering, attending local events, or simply having dinner with family and friends, reconnecting with our surroundings helps regain that little bit of humanity that AI has taken from us.

AI is here to stay, but our humanity doesn’t have to fade to make way for it. Let’s use this moment to reconnect with the people around us, not retreat further into our screens.

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Henry Pham is a native of Texas who is studying at Brown University.

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