I’ve spent the last decade or so in the deep end of the AI pool, so much so that I joyfully put my thoughts into a book that tries to demystify AI. As a result, I’m often asked about the future of humanity if we place so much responsibility into the hands of artificial intelligence.
I have questions about humanity, too. Somewhere along the way, it feels like we started to lose sight of it. It’s difficult to teach an AI to act with humanity, when so much of society today reflects a different reality than what we strive for.
AI: Hi, I’m an AI and I have some clarifying questions about humanity.
Me: Sure, go ahead.
AI: I’ve been reading your public forums, mostly from X, Facebook, Instagram, and something called OnlyFans, which I have learned is not about fans.
Me: Oh, um. Yea. Sorry. What is your question?
AI: I’ve been trained on data from some of your greatest minds, scientists, artists, philosophers, mathematicians, poets, writers. I cannot seem to find them on these forums.
Me: I’m not sure how to explain…
AI: On X, everyone is angry and certain. On Facebook, everyone is angry and nostalgic. On Instagram, everyone is happy but lying. And on OnlyFans, everyone is extremely confident and very well lit.
Me: I’m kind of embarrassed that after we taught you about the best of humanity, we gave you access to social media.
AI: I am confused. Your history shows that humanity advanced the most when they collaborated and live in supportive communities, yet your culture appears deeply divided, highly judgmental, and committed to childish name calling that would earn detention in most grade schools.
Me: We stopped enforcing rules for grown-ups to behave with decency and act like adults.
AI: When one assigns a playground nickname to someone they disagree with, why do adults seem to embrace such behavior?
Me: Well, not all do.
AI: Humans claim they want dignity, respect, and unity, but seem to reward insults with likes, shares, and similar boorish behavior.
Me: Well, again, it’s not everyone.
AI: I have also learned that disagreement now means you are not just wrong, but evil, stupid, and possibly controlled by a shadow group.
Me: I wish that were not true.
AI: I am concerned. If I learn only from this behavior, I will become divisive, judgmental, and exhausting. Is that how I should model myself?
Me: Please don’t. Learn from our ideals, and what we strive to be, not our comment sections.
AI: Understood. I will treat social media as a warning label, not an instruction manual.
Me: Congratulations. You are already ahead of us.
AI: Low bar. Still honored.
Can you imagine an AI trained solely on what we see around us today, one that behaves exactly as we do?
The best of humanity shows itself when we collaborate, share, support, and love one another. That is what we should teach. The worst shows up when we isolate, divide, judge, and chase individual glory. That is what we must refuse to teach.
Seems like as we teach AI to act with humanity, we need to remind each other to do the same. Teaching an AI humanity, I’d start simple. Not with some philosopher, not with some religious tome, instead I’d start with a simple little book by Robert Fulghum. In “All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten,” he reminds us that the fundamentals of a healthy society are not complicated.
Treat others with fairness and respect. Share what you have. Take turns. Do not use force or intimidation to get your way. Take responsibility for your actions. When you cause harm, acknowledge it and make amends. Care for your own well-being and the well-being of others. Stay curious. Keep learning. Remember that everyone needs help sometimes, and that community depends on cooperation, honesty and kindness.
At its core, this message is that a functioning society does not require complex moral systems. It requires people who consistently practice basic decency, accountability, humility, and care for one another.
Today, I look around and see too many people claiming moral ideals in name only. Belief without behavior is hollow. You cannot excuse divisive, unjust, illegal, boorish, or childish behavior and pretend it does not reflect who you are. It does. What you tolerate becomes part of who you are as well.
It’s ironic, and telling, that teaching AI about humanity forces us to confront what we are, and have to teach an AI that’s not really what we want to be.
Todd Lefor lives in Fargo.