What I think about when I think about AI

ChatGPT does the thinking—so do we still need to?

AI helps me with almost everything now. It saves time I never had before. When technology entered my life in the early ’90s, I imagined we’d use that extra time to think more deeply, learn more, even make the world a little better.

But have we? I’m not so sure.

Back in the ’80s, I wrote letters by hand, read slowly, meditated, and had long conversations. Today, I do more—but reflect less. I work longer hours, often through the weekend. I scroll, I stream, I watch others live their lives—then tell myself I’m too busy to pause, think, or truly connect.

The problem isn’t AI. It’s how we use the space it creates. Instead of using it to grow—intellectually, emotionally, spiritually—we often fill it with noise. Distraction creeps in. The time we hoped to save quietly slips away.

So maybe the real question isn’t what AI is doing to us—but what we still want to do with ourselves. Perhaps it’s time to slow down, ask better questions, and make space for deeper connections to others.