When people talk about the dangers of artificial intelligence, many imagine their jobs and decisions taken from them by machines. But the more immediate danger looks very different — that we are instead willingly surrendering to AI. The danger of artificial intelligence is not that machines may become conscious, but that people may gradually surrender skills that require independence, patience, soul and critical thinking.
One of the most concerning trends is a growing emotional reliance on technology, particularly among young people. Three in four teens report using AI “companions” or “digital friends.” AI systems are frequently marketed and perceived as substitutes for social interactions. Chatbots are constantly available, responding instantly to users’ needs, and are increasingly treated as alternatives to therapy or other forms of mental health support.
However, this convenience comes at a cost.
Human relationships are inherently complex and full of challenges that are essential for development and social maturity. When individuals turn to AI for emotional validation, they avoid these difficulties that help them grow as people. Additionally, reliance on AI for emotional support can distort expectations of relationships. AI interactions are structured to accommodate the user, programmed to maintain engagement.
This has the effect of AI companions affirming unhealthy behavior rather than helping to alleviate it.
While AI can imitate human language, treating it as an emotional substitute disregards the purpose of social connection; the bonds we create with others. Those who interact with AI daily are less likely to interact with their peers. In this way, emotional reliance on AI does not replace loneliness but quietly normalizes it.
Don’t miss out on what’s happening!
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It’s FREE!
Another of the most significant problems associated with artificial intelligence is that it is increasingly being treated as a solution to problems rather than as support. Problem-solving involves uncertainty and gradual development through trial and error.
Artificial intelligence systems, however, are specifically designed to produce immediate outputs. As a result, users become conditioned to expect instant solutions rather than learning to tolerate difficulty.
This mindset weakens perseverance, creativity, quick thinking, and independent judgment as frequent users grow accustomed to deferring to automated systems. Consequences of instant gratification can be seen especially in educational settings. Learning requires attention and active engagement with a subject’s material. With AI, rather than grappling with tough concepts, students may focus solely on outcomes, treating assignments as obstacles to bypass rather than as something to grow from.
This sentiment isn’t a warning for the future; it’s an observation of what’s already happening. The erosion of cognitive agency is one of the most consequential risks of AI’s current implementation — not because the technology is inherently harmful, but because it creates a culture of apathy. Emotional reliance on artificial systems shows a broader change in how people interact with discomfort and relate to one another.
“Technology is seductive when what it offers meets our human vulnerabilities … [it] may offer the illusion of companionship without the demands of friendship,” notes sociologist Sherry Turkle. “Our networked life allows us to hide from each other, even as we are tethered to each other.”
Addressing the challenges posed by artificial intelligence does not require rejecting the technology itself, but rather rethinking how to apply it. AI is most effective when it functions as a support for human thinking rather than a replacement for it. Ultimately, the impact of artificial intelligence will be determined less by its technical capabilities than by the choices people make in integrating it into daily life. By prioritizing human connection and the value of effort and critical thinking, society can benefit from AI’s strengths without sacrificing the human qualities that we so desperately need to preserve.
Jake Garcia is a senior at Hanalani Schools.
“Raise Your Hand,” a monthly column featuring Hawaii’s youth and their perspectives, appears in the Insight section on the first Sunday of each month. It is facilitated by the Center for Tomorrow’s Leaders.