BEING HUMAN IN THE AGE OF AI
Identity, Ethics, and Society in a Technological World
17th November | Casa da Música, Porto
Historical Context and the AI Shift
Historically, every major technological shift has destroyed certain jobs while creating others: the Industrial Revolution, mechanized agriculture and textile production eliminated many manual labour jobs but created factory and engineering roles; the Computer Age automated many administrative and industrial tasks but gave rise to Information technologies (IT), software, and digital services industries.
But, until now, technology replaced tasks specified by humans and always required human input, whether in oversight, creativity, physical execution, or emotional intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence, particularly advanced generative AI and machine learning models, marks a qualitative leap. Unlike past tools, AI does not simply amplify human ability, it can replicate or even surpass certain cognitive tasks, competently writing, designing, coding, doing legal analysis and diagnostics.
AI doesn’t just support decisions; AI can make them, leading to a shift from the traditional “master slave” relation of humans with their tools to a “competitor” relationship with humans or preferably to a “symbiotic relationship”. Humans may no longer be the sole decision-makers or innovators. Hence, the line between tool creator and the tool is blurring.
Societal Impacts and the Definition of the Human Space
The relationship between society and AI will likely redefine many traditional jobs, that will be either fully automated or significantly augmented with virtual realities, which may even menace human creative and intellectual work, long considered “safe grounds” for humans. Besides ethic concerns, this invades the human space and redefines authentic human experience, emotional labour, and moral judgement.
Furthermore, to effectively transfer values across generations, the role of the educational system should change from learning skills to creativity, adaptability, and ethical reasoning. So, the impact in education is enormous.
It is already visible that those who own or control AI systems accumulate disproportionate economic and political power and inequality will deepen.
And if AI can do most “useful” work, what is humanity’s role? This should lead to a renaissance of philosophy, spirituality, the arts, but may also lead to a crisis of meaning and purpose.
Therefore, human society is at cross-roads: AI may empower a post-scarcity society where humans pursue fulfilment, creativity, and connection, free from drudgery or, consolidate power in the hands of a few, leading to widespread disenfranchisement and erosion of agency. This dilemma must be situated within the broader risks and tensions that make an open, informed, and pluralistic debate not only necessary but urgent.
In a future shaped by advanced AI, humanity’s enduring strengths may lie in
- Ethics and moral reasoning, defining what should be done, not just what can be done.
- Empathy and relationships, creating bonds and meaning in ways AI cannot authentically replicate.
- Imagination and innovation, envisioning futures AI cannot anticipate based on past data.
- Purpose and storytelling, making sense of our place in the world and articulating shared values.