Artificial Intelligence Enhances Lives but Cannot Replace Human Essence, Say University of Helsinki Researchers

Artificial Intelligence Enhances Lives but Cannot Replace Human Essence, Say University of Helsinki Researchers

(IN BRIEF) Artificial intelligence (AI) plays an increasingly significant role in our daily lives, from automated home appliances to digital assistants and even therapeutic robots. While AI can optimize tasks and make life more efficient, ethics researchers from the University of Helsinki, Taina Kalliokoski and Jaana Hallamaa, argue that it cannot replace core human traits, such as vulnerability and unpredictability in relationships. They emphasize the importance of accepting human fragility and warn against over-reliance on AI in areas like healthcare, where personal interactions matter. AI may improve efficiencies, but it also raises societal concerns about inequality, privacy, and the potential devaluation of public-sector services. While AI-assisted solutions can offer convenience, Kalliokoski and Hallamaa believe that human relationships, with all their complexities and imperfections, provide deeper meaning and foster personal growth—something that AI cannot replicate.

(PRESS RELEASE) HELSINKI, 26-Sep-2024 — /EuropaWire/ — As AI technologies increasingly become a part of daily life—from robot vacuums to AI-powered chatbots—many are asking what effect these innovations will have on humanity itself. In a recent article, ethics experts from the University of Helsinki, Professor Jaana Hallamaa and Postdoctoral Researcher Taina Kalliokoski, suggest that while AI is reshaping various aspects of our lives, it cannot replicate the fundamental traits that make us human.

The researchers point out that AI can provide a level of efficiency and convenience that many find appealing. From navigating complex routes with a GPS system to providing endless patient responses via chatbots in healthcare, these technologies offer practical solutions to modern problems. However, they also emphasize that AI, no matter how sophisticated, cannot replace the emotional depth and unpredictability that define human relationships.

“Human interaction is complex, filled with vulnerabilities and imperfections,” Kalliokoski explains. “AI may make certain tasks more convenient, but it cannot replicate the emotional richness that comes from human connection.”

The pair also caution that AI may change how we view and relate to ourselves and each other. For example, AI systems may encourage people to expect immediate results and constant availability—things that human relationships cannot always deliver. They warn that the increasing reliance on AI-driven services, such as automated public-sector interactions, could lead to societal inequalities and a decreased willingness to support essential public services.

Another concern raised is that AI might encourage a reality where everything is optimized for efficiency, potentially leading people to overlook the value in human imperfections. Hallamaa believes that AI may even reshape how we think about life’s purpose, but insists that true human connection is built on shared experiences, both good and bad—something no machine can replace.

While AI technologies can offer significant advantages, such as improving accessibility and reducing repetitive tasks, the researchers argue that society must be mindful of its impact on human values and relationships. As Hallamaa states, “AI can optimize many things in life, but it is our imperfections that create meaning and depth in human relationships.”

The study also explores how AI influences societal structures, such as healthcare and public services. According to Kalliokoski, if people are increasingly interacting with machines instead of humans for essential services, it could diminish the perceived value of public-sector services and erode the social contract.

As AI continues to evolve, Kalliokoski and Hallamaa call for a balanced approach, one that leverages the benefits of AI while safeguarding the core elements of humanity. “AI can assist in many areas,” Kalliokoski says, “but we must remain grounded in what it means to be human—embracing our flaws, unpredictability, and the richness that comes with genuine human interaction.”

For these researchers, AI may assist, but it cannot replace the human experience.

Media Contacts:

Jaana Hallamaa
Professor
Systematic Theology
jaana.hallamaa@helsinki.fi
+358294123027

Taina Kalliokoski
Postdoctoral researcher
Systematic Theology
taina.kalliokoski@helsinki.fi
+358294124019

SOURCE: University of Helsinki