Part 2: Rebooting Humanity: Will Agentic AI Lead to a New Renaissance?

I owe this next part to Sharada Rao for asking such a simple yet profoundly insightful question in response to my last post: (6) What Do Agents Mean for You, Your Business, and Your Life? Connecting Everyone and Everything—All at One Degree of Separation | LinkedIn. What follows is a foundational and, at times, perhaps wishful attempt to get at the heart of what might become true if we truly want it to. The if we want it to is the most important part.

I tested this thesis with my thought partner, Sudeep Kesh , as we prepared for an upcoming live discussion on these topics at The Conference Board Event for Leadership in AI, which is happening this week. We hope many others will join in the dialogue, as we certainly need more informed perspectives given the sweeping implications. The consequences of not engaging could mean getting stuck behind the event horizon of our own ignorance and, in some cases, biased arrogance.

In the first part of this article, we explored how Agentic AI is collapsing the degrees of separation from six to one, seamlessly connecting people, ideas, businesses, and things. This unprecedented level of connectivity is transforming how we live, work, and solve problems. But a deeper question remains: Is the promise of a new human renaissance truly within our grasp? Or is the real potential of Agentic AI not simply a matter of its technological features but, more importantly, dependent on the choices we make as humans?

Imagine a world where the constant distractions of navigating complexity are alleviated, freeing humanity to pursue classical virtues like wisdom, temperance, fortitude, and justice. Could we truly experience a new era of flourishing, reminiscent of the Renaissance, where these virtues are not just ideals but lived experiences? Or will our human nature and collective choices determine whether technology becomes a catalyst for enlightenment or a driver of further distraction and division?

The Complexity Calculus: Are We Ready to Let Go?

Our modern world is shaped by an ongoing “complexity calculus”—a perpetual struggle to manage the demands and decisions of daily life. From making sense of global events to managing work and personal obligations, we are burdened by a never-ending stream of challenges. This constant load consumes our mental bandwidth, often leaving us with little energy to engage deeply with what matters most.

Agentic AI has the potential to change this. It promises to simplify our interactions with the world, automate decision-making, and provide curated insights. Yet, even if technology reduces complexity, the question remains: Will we choose to use this newfound freedom to engage with deeper human pursuits?

A New Era of Human Potential: The Promise and the Choice

By offloading cognitive burdens to AI, humanity could, in theory, focus on what makes us distinctly human. This raises a fundamental question: Is this transformation dependent on technological capability, or is it ultimately shaped by our choices? The answer likely lies in a delicate interplay between the two.

1. Wisdom: Can We Choose to Seek Deep Understanding?

Wisdom, the pursuit of deep understanding, has often been elusive in a world driven by speed and surface-level engagement. Agentic AI can present us with curated knowledge and insights, synthesizing vast amounts of information into digestible and meaningful narratives. The capability is there, but will we choose to engage with this information deeply?

Imagine leaders using AI to explore the long-term impact of their decisions through simulated outcomes or individuals dedicating time to lifelong learning, enriched by AI-generated content. The potential for wisdom is immense, yet it depends on a conscious choice to reflect, question, and seek understanding beyond the immediate.

Wisdom, then, is not just about having access to better insights. It’s about choosing to engage thoughtfully, to slow down, and to prioritize learning and contemplation. Will we, as a society, make that choice?

2. Temperance: Can We Exercise Restraint in an Age of Abundance?

Temperance, the virtue of moderation, is challenged by a world designed for instant gratification. Agentic AI could help manage our desires, curating our digital experiences to minimize distractions and encourage balanced living. But even with these tools at our disposal, will we choose to embrace moderation?

Consider how AI might limit our exposure to addictive content or suggest healthy habits. These features could enable us to live more intentionally, but they cannot force us to do so. Temperance requires a conscious decision to practice restraint, set boundaries, and prioritize well-being over endless consumption. Technology can support this, but the commitment must come from us.

In essence, temperance is about mastery over desires, and AI’s capabilities are only as effective as our willingness to use them wisely. Will we choose to live more balanced lives, or will we continue to indulge in the excesses that technology often amplifies?

3. Fortitude: Will We Choose Courage in the Face of Challenges?

Fortitude, the courage to endure and persevere, has driven human progress throughout history. Agentic AI can provide guidance and support, offering solutions and connecting us to resources when we face adversity. Yet, the question remains: Will we choose to act with courage, even when AI provides a safety net?

Imagine an entrepreneur using AI to navigate a difficult business landscape or a student relying on personalized learning paths to overcome academic struggles. AI can inspire confidence and foster resilience, but it cannot instill fortitude without our active choice to persist. It is up to us to summon the strength to face our challenges, using AI as an ally rather than a crutch.

Fortitude, therefore, depends on our willingness to embrace difficulty and learn from setbacks. The capability of AI to support us is undeniable, but will we rise to the occasion, or will we become too dependent on technology to take risks and persevere?

4. Justice: Will We Use Technology to Create a Fairer World?

Justice, the pursuit of fairness, starts with a commitment to equality—the belief that everyone deserves the same access to resources and opportunities. Yet, achieving true equality is often complicated by systemic barriers and deeply embedded inequities. Agentic AI holds the potential to democratize access to information, identify biases, and promote fairness on a large scale. But even with these advancements, will we actively pursue justice?

AI can streamline processes, highlight disparities, and expose inequalities in areas like healthcare, education, and criminal justice. The technology is there, but meaningful change requires human commitment and moral courage.

Moreover, we must also think carefully about equity—an area that today’s society continues to grapple with. Equity acknowledges that people have different circumstances and that achieving fairness may require distributing resources differently to create better outcomes. Could AI help us make these distinctions more effectively? Perhaps, but it is up to us to ensure that the technology addresses historical and social disparities thoughtfully and meaningfully.

Justice, then, is not just about using AI to create fairer systems but about prioritizing what we learn about fairness, holding institutions accountable, and ensuring that technology serves both individuals and society. Will we use AI to advance equality of opportunity thoughtfully, or will we let it perpetuate existing imbalances?

A New Renaissance: Technology as an Enabler, Not a Determinant

The idea of a new renaissance, sparked by Agentic AI, invites us to dream of a world where technology enables human flourishing. Yet, it’s crucial to understand that technology, no matter how advanced, is only an enabler. The real transformation depends on human choice.

1. Rediscovering Arts and Sciences: If AI handles the mundane, will we choose to engage in creative and intellectual pursuits? Art, music, philosophy, and scientific inquiry could flourish, but only if we invest time and energy into these endeavors.
2. Deepening Human Connections: With logistical burdens minimized, will we choose to nurture deeper relationships? Friendships, family bonds, and community ties could thrive, but only if we prioritize them over digital distractions.
3. Focusing on Individual Freedoms That Enable Well-Being Without Eroding Rights: As AI promotes balanced living, will we choose to protect our individual freedoms and rights while prioritizing well-being? A culture of mental and physical health could flourish, but it requires a collective commitment to temperance and balance.
4. Committing to Action: With AI highlighting potential paths to greater justice and optimizing resources, will we take meaningful steps? Collective efforts for societal change and stewardship could become more effective, but they rely on our willingness to engage and support.

Is It Really Possible?

The vision of a new renaissance is compelling, but it hinges on a simple yet profound question: Will we let technology amplify our best selves, or will we fall into its potential pitfalls? The answer lies not in the capabilities of AI but in our character and choices.

Technology shapes possibilities but does not dictate outcomes. The promise of Agentic AI is immense, yet so are the responsibilities we bear. A world enriched by wisdom, temperance, fortitude, and justice is within reach—but only if we choose to embrace these virtues and harness technology with intention.

As we stand at this crossroads, one thing is clear: The future will be shaped not just by what AI can do but by what we choose to do with it. If we can harness this technology wisely, perhaps a new renaissance—a revival of the human spirit and classical virtues—truly is possible.