In its many iterations, A.I. will save all of us time.
That’s what the promise is, anyway.
But, when have technology enhancements actually saved us time?
Sure, I can now send a “letter” via email and it arrives almost instantly to a location around the world. Just a generation ago, that same letter might takes weeks to get where it was going.
But, today, the expectation is that I should be sending a ton more “letters” because email makes it so easy. And, without paying much attention, we are all spending much more time sending letters than we were 30 years ago.
The same is true for just about every technological advance that is sold to us based on “making something easier or simpler.” The specific task may become less time-consuming, but the expectation goalposts get moved.
Perhaps “saving time” isn’t the right or best goal for us. Especially in advancement.
Perhaps we should focus on strategies and tools that promise to connect us more authentically, to increase our empathy, and to build trust with each other.
The returns from focusing on those goals seem much more promising.
