I’ve been thinking about a recent public health survey and research paper that concluded: “generative AI use was associated with modestly but statistically significantly greater depressive and other negative affective symptoms, warranting efforts to understand the potential for a causal relationship.” (see link below)
This doesn’t surprise me in the least. In fact, after testing out a variety of AI platforms during this past year — I personally found the resulting feedback/commentary/edits to be rote and boring. If I see the word “foster” one more time I might vomit. And as I’ve always been a grammatical stickler, the misuse of commas in a series vs. when to use a semi-colon is an easy identifier of AI jargon.
Further, I have found AI chatbots are sycophants. Regardless of the platform those bots all kiss up to me and tell me only what they’ve presumed that I might want to hear. I’m great (in case you didn’t know.)
Coupled with this, social media has been sucking wind for quite a while now. AI may ultimately be nailing its coffin. Humans are smarter than tech titans might want to accept. We’re discerning too. As everyone starts looking more and more the same via filtered photos coupled with droll AI commentary — the connection will fade.
And why?
Because, these early connections between AI and depression are unsurprising. We humans are a creative species. Whether that’s writing, drawing, photography, electrifying, plumbing, painting — or expressing ourselves in the plentitude of other other ways. The identifier, like a cursive signature, has always been our individual, personal uniqueness. AI doesn’t deliver that. It never will.
Yes, it will adapt. Yes, it can serve as a way to speed up certain processes. Yes it is entertaining (This video by Wicked AI is both entertaining AND a Hollywood wake up call).
BUT STILL I encourage you all to honor your unique individual natures.
Consider the famously spoken line by villain Syndrome in The Incredibles: “And when everyone’s super, no one will be.” Be your original you. That’s where you super resides. That’s where we find joy within ourselves and in our connections with others.
