A List of Things Artificial Intelligence Will Not Replace

Artificial intelligence has made an enormous impact on our lives, including behavioral algorithms, smart home technology, and self-driving cars. There is no doubt that AI will continue to advance and alter our world, but there is also no doubt that there are things it cannot and will not replace.

Relationships: You don’t have a relationship with Siri. Or Alexa. These two ladies don’t have any idea who you are. The possibility that humans will go from tribes that live, survive, and thrive together to helmets that live alone and shun other human beings is exceedingly small.

Caring: It will be a long time before artificial intelligence becomes conscious, if it ever makes the monumental, evolutionary leap that, so far, has occurred only in sentient beings, and mostly the human variety. Automation, when used as a substitute for human interaction, is the complete elimination of caring. It is an outsourcing of what should not be outsourced.

Inspiration: Human beings are inspiring and inspired. Artificial intelligence doesn’t make us feel anything. We are moved by human beings that exercise their compassion. We are inspired by those who achieve great feats, great works of art, and who sacrifice.

Wisdom: Artificial intelligence can beat world champions in the game of Chess and the infinitely complex Chinese game called Go. But it can’t tell you how to live a good life, how to discover your purpose, or what is the source of happiness. There is a difference between information and insight. Wisdom is not intelligence; it’s something more than that.

A Sense of Belonging: You are not among “your people” when you are surrounded by automatons and computers. You are among your people when you are around “your” people. You can’t replace the sense of being with the people with whom you belong. Friendship is going to be more valuable and more important in the future.

Shared Experiences: You are not going to take your artificial intelligence to dinner or on vacation to the south for France. You may let it assist in doing some of the planning.

Curiosity, Imagination, and Resourcefulness: These things are infinitely human. Artificial intelligence provides information. It will not replace human curiosity, imagination, or resourcefulness, something that the mind developed as a method of survival. Artificial intelligence doesn’t dream, but you do.

Desire: Artificial intelligence may help satisfy some desires, but it isn’t going to create it. That burning feeling in the pit of your stomach when you really want something—and the ability to create that desire—isn’t going anywhere anytime soon.