AI will be an integral part of our lives, potentially having a more profound impact than our childhood friends, mentors, or even those closest to us, such as our parents. So subtle that you only noticed when you were one day locked out of your device because you were late with your payment.
Only then would you finally realize how much AI has reshaped your connection with the rest of this world.
Being Human in 2035 is a report from Elon University, by Janna Anderson and Lee Rainie, who’ve spent the last 20 years tracking how tech changes what it means to be human. (I’m actually scheduling an interview with Lee Rainie soon.)
Nobody is better equipped to tackle these questions than they are. For this report, they pulled together an invitation-only panel of 301 thought leaders from 14+ industries, everyone from government to tech to media.
… “282 pages!” you’d likely say to me.
I know it is intimidating.
That’s why I’m breaking it down for you.
Give me 20 minutes a week for the next three weeks, and you’ll get an eagle-eye view of how AI might change us in the next decade.
The big questions this report answers:
Will AI change what it means to be human by 2035? Better, worse, or just... different?
Short answer: Most experts think the impact will be a mixed bag — equal parts better and worse. Only a few expect dramatic improvement or disaster. (16% “better,” 23% “worse,” 50% “both.”)Which parts of our humanity are most likely to shift with AI? Our brains, our hearts, our sense of self… or all of the above?
Short answer: The report asked 300 experts to rate 12 core traits. Range from empathy to creativity to mental well-being, the overall belief is that most will take a hit. But a few (like curiosity, decision-making, and creativity) might actually get a boost.How much will being human change by 2035? Is it a revolution or just a tweak?
Short answer: A whopping 61% predict “deep and meaningful” or “revolutionary” changes.What is going to feel like to live as a “human-plus-AI” in 2035? When AI is your sidekick, coworker, therapist, and maybe even friend?
Short answer: Expect new freedoms, new dependencies, and big questions about what still makes us uniquely human.
You are reading part 1, Alone, Together.
Our ability to read feelings, show empathy, and build real relationships is likely to take a hit. It’s not because we woke up one day and forgot how to care, but AI-mediated interaction is just so simple compared to messy human relationships.
Why put up with all the hassle, compromise, and messiness of real relationships?
I’m going to walk you through four key traits that help us connect with friends and family, traits that experts say AI could damage: social intelligence (+EQ), empathy and moral judgment, mental well-being, and, yes, our basic sense of trust.
Shall we?
