The Unexpected Ways AI is Making Us More Human
Yen Anderson
Azure and AI @ Microsoft ? Global Gen AI Speaker ? Mental Health Advocate ? Helping people across the globe redefine work using AI
Right now, we’re sprinting through an increasingly automated world, where AI is handling more and more of our daily grind. We’re told it’s about efficiency, about freeing us up to focus on the “real” stuff—but the wild twist? AI is actually nudging us to rediscover what it means to be deeply, unmistakably human.
It’s easy to assume AI’s cold logic and structured responses could dull our ability to connect, think creatively, or have a good, old-fashioned conversation. Instead, it reveals layers of our humanity that we hadn’t noticed before. As we navigate our relationship with this technology, we’re beginning to see a paradox: the more we engage with AI, the more we find ourselves leaning into those parts of us that are unique, irreplaceable, and undeniably human.
How does that work, you ask? In ways no one expected—AI is helping us become better at the very things we feared it would replace. Let’s dive into how this surprising trend is unfolding and why it’s actually a reason to feel hopeful about our tech-filled future.
Hey, remember when conversations weren't just emoji reactions and three-word texts?
Once upon a time, conversations were meaningful exchanges. These days? Between DMs and quick responses, it can feel like we’re barely skimming the surface. But AI chatbots, with their conversational style, are prompting us to slow down, think, and engage fully. They’re designed for back-and-forth exchanges that push us to explain, clarify, and get to the heart of what we mean. Funny enough, it’s reminding us of the beauty in real dialogue—a skill we’re carrying back into our human conversations.
Your brain on multitasking looks like a browser with 47 open tabs.
Sound familiar? The modern world runs on multitasking, and it’s a killer for focus. Constantly switching between tasks is exhausting and less productive, no matter how good we think we are at it. Here’s where AI steps in: it handles the routine stuff—think data entry, sorting emails—freeing up our brain power for the things that matter. Instead of 47 open mental tabs, AI lets us close the unnecessary ones, giving us the headspace to work deeply, think creatively, and appreciate the satisfaction of single-tasking.
Plot twist: AI isn't making us dumber - it's teaching us to think differently.
There’s a lot of chatter about AI making us lazy thinkers. But it’s actually encouraging us to think in fresh ways. When we interact with AI, we get a chance to see multiple perspectives and explore ideas from angles we wouldn’t have considered. AI can adapt to our questions, provide analogies, and push us to challenge our assumptions. In a way, AI is like a sparring partner for our brains, helping us strengthen critical thinking skills that traditional tools might overlook.
Creativity Unleashed
There’s this fear that AI will somehow steal our creativity, but the opposite is true. AI is like a coach that throws ideas, alternatives, and suggestions our way. If you’re a writer, a musician, a designer—AI gives you that creative push. It’s a partnership, not a takeover. From brainstorming new ideas to exploring different approaches, AI provides feedback that sparks creativity, making the process more accessible and even enjoyable. Turns out, AI’s helping us unleash skills we never knew we had.
Turns out, chatting with robots makes us realize just how wonderfully human we are.
The biggest surprise in this AI revolution? It’s highlighting what makes us uniquely human. When we engage with AI, we start to appreciate our own empathy, intuition, and emotional intelligence even more. The logical nature of AI is, ironically, a mirror that reflects our own complexities, helping us realize just how unique human thinking truly is.
So, the next time you use AI, consider this: it’s not here to “replace” what makes us human. Instead, it’s enhancing it. Want to dig deeper into this topic?
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AI Strategist with a human centric approach to AI adoption
3 周"Plot twist: AI isn’t making us dumber; it’s helping us think differently—love this!" I’ve been saying, 'We need to think differently when using AI,' but Yen Anderson, your words capture how this shift in mindset is also an outcome—a self-reinforcing loop.
Senior Manager, IT Automation Engineering
1 个月This hits home so well. I've had to work on my explanation skills so much. It's helped me communicate projects to my team as well. AI is helping us be more productive and forcing us to improve our communication skills. Win win.
Helping Your Business Step into the Future with AI ??. Discover Easy-to-Use AI with Us! ?? AI Strategy, Model Development, Software Solutions, and Investments. #AI #BusinessInnovation #DigitalTransformation
1 个月Yen Anderson, Absolutely agree. AI highlights our unique human qualities, enhancing our potential rather than competing with it. Let’s celebrate what makes us truly human.
I help tech companies to hire tech talents
1 个月Great insights, Yen. How sustainable?
Principal Product Manager @ Microsoft | Sportainment Innovation Lead & Research | International Speaker | LinkedIn Top Voice
1 个月I couldn't agree more... but many people still stuck trying to stop the wave with their bare hands instead of getting the best of them using AI