Is Artificial Intelligence the End of Humanity?

The answer would be a categorical no. However, if asked whether it poses a risk to human knowledge, the answer would be yes.

Biology is what creates and sustains life. Unless evolution takes a beating, humans will continue to exist. Evolution has fine-tuned the brain and body for survival and reproduction, primarily through sensory experiences, perception, action, and a unique human faculty—cognition. Unlike animals, who live an experiential life in tandem with nature and among equals, without necessarily creating meaning, the human brain must constantly create meaning and a narrative, anchored to a sense of self. These narratives are formed through memories of experiences and accumulated knowledge, which collectively shape our consciousness.

Knowledge, then, has become the foundation of human life—both individually and collectively—from the discovery of fire, the wheel, and tools to the advent of quantum computing. Intelligence, as defined in psychology, may be what intelligence tests measure, but more broadly, it is the brain’s universal capacity to gain knowledge and form concepts to navigate life’s challenges using available resources. All the while, humans create concepts and stories to construct meaning—be it through art, religion, or the broader human drama.

The pinnacle of Artificial Intelligence (AI) would be a form of intelligence that can live an experiential life and make decisions faster and more accurately than humans—algorithmic rather than heuristic or probabilistic. In other words, it would operate with a certain predictability and efficiency that stands in contrast to the vagaries of the human mind.

But AI is, at present, deeply dependent on humans. Its “food” is data—data that originates from human input. We may well be entering an era reminiscent of the concerns Karl Marx raised about capitalism, where he saw humans becoming alienated, reduced to mere means for generating wealth. Today, we are at risk of becoming mere means for generating data—or worse, becoming data itself.

AI can now perform routine tasks with great speed and efficiency. Many everyday processes rely on it. Its reach extends to creating scripts, videos, images, literature, and educational texts—even writing stories and books. It is profoundly impacting how we learn and acquire knowledge.

However, AI-generated content is often homogeneous and average in quality. While it may become creative in the future, for now, it primarily offers easy solutions that bypass mental effort. This convenience runs counter to the nature of the human brain. Gaining knowledge is transformative—it is the pain of progress.

Excessive dependence on AI may lead to a form of cognition that is less resilient, less inquisitive, more passive, and more assembly-like. While life may become easier, the breadth of human creativity may suffer—aside from the broader social and inequality-related ramifications.

Still, this moment presents a profound evolutionary opportunity, brought about by our own creation. To transcend the superficial output of AI, the human mind must push its boundaries, delve deeper into its potential, and create anew. Even if every human thought and idea will eventually be assimilated by AI, the very act of creating will drive our evolutionary progress.

— Dr. Alok Bajpai
Psychiatrist and Independent Researcher