As January 2025 winds down, and the Doomsday Clock ticks seconds closer than ever to midnight, I find myself reflecting on old photographs. It’s startling how much I’ve changed, particularly since becoming a mother. Motherhood is transformative – it reshapes your mind, body, and very identity. It’s a profound shift that goes far beyond the idealized portrayals we often see.
This personal evolution, coupled with the looming threat of global catastrophe, has led me to contemplate the evolving nature of “self” in our AI-dominated world. In 2011 I defended my thesis, “Imitation, Technology, and the Western World,” explored the concept of mimesis and its impact on human development. I argued that imitation is not merely a form of copying, but a fundamental process through which we learn, create, and evolve. Now, I wonder if this very capacity for imitation is leading us down a dangerous path. Are we at risk of being overtaken by AI? Not necessarily in the sense of job displacement, but in a more fundamental way. Are we unconsciously mirroring the language and thought processes of AI, even though it was initially designed to mimic us? When we engage with tools like Gemini or ChatGPT, are the thoughts we express truly our own, or are they subtly shaped by these language models?
This concern transcends the common anxieties about AI dominance. It delves into the potential erosion of something essential: our unique human spirit. In my thesis, I examined the work of neurophysiologists like Rizzolatti and Sinigaglia, who have shown how mirror neurons in our brains allow us to understand and empathize with others. These neurons fire both when we perform an action and when we observe someone else performing it, creating a sense of shared experience. But what happens when the “other” we are mirroring is not a human, but a machine? In our constant interaction with AI, are we losing a part of ourselves? Are we, in our pursuit of technological advancement, sacrificing the very qualities that make us human?
I’m not advocating for a technology-free existence. However, like any potent tool, AI demands careful consideration and ethical boundaries. We must critically assess its impact on society and our individual lives, especially as the Doomsday Clock serves as a stark reminder of our fragility. As Marshall McLuhan’s Tetrad of Media suggests, technology can amplify, reverse, retrieve, and render obsolete aspects of our world. AI is no exception; it possesses the power to mold our very thoughts.
So, how do we navigate this uncharted territory, with the shadow of midnight looming large? We embrace AI’s potential while fiercely protecting our humanity. We leverage its capabilities to analyze data, predict outcomes, and unlock new understandings. But we also remain discerning, ensuring that AI remains a tool in service to us, not the other way around.
Amidst this technological revolution, and with the fate of the world hanging in the balance, it’s easy to lose sight of ourselves. But as mothers, as humans, we have a duty to preserve our unique identities, values, and critical thinking skills. Let’s utilize AI wisely, but never allow it to diminish the essence of who we are. Let’s use it to build a future where the clock hands move away from midnight, and where humanity flourishes, not fades.
