The Pursuit of Happiness in a Hybrid World
As we approach the International Day of Happiness in 2025, we find ourselves at a fascinating crossroads: a world increasingly interwoven with the threads of artificial intelligence. From our professional lives to our personal relationships, AI is rapidly transforming how we live. This raises a fundamental question: is AI a promising pathway to enhanced human happiness, or is it a force that may ultimately distance us from it?
The Historical Quest for Well-being
The pursuit of happiness is an enduring human endeavor, stretching back to the dawn of civilization. Yet, happiness persists as an elusive target, a dynamic state within an ever-changing world. As the ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus observed, “No man ever steps in the same river twice,” a powerful metaphor for the constant flux of life and the shifting nature of happiness itself.
Throughout history, humanity has explored a multitude of avenues in the quest for lasting well-being, each offering a unique perspective:
- Hedonism: Figures like Aristippus championed the idea that happiness equates to maximizing pleasure and minimizing pain. However, this pursuit of sensory gratification often proves fleeting, potentially leading to what some term the “hedonic treadmill.”
- Eudaimonia: Philosophers such as Plato advocated for the fulfillment of one’s potential and the pursuit of virtue. This approach links happiness to living a meaningful life in accordance with reason and purpose.
- Stoicism: Stoics like Seneca and Epictetus believed that true happiness can be found through acceptance, inner peace, and living in harmony with nature. They emphasized detachment from external circumstances and focusing on what lies within our control.
- Buddhism: In Buddhist philosophy, happiness equates to the freedom from suffering, or Nirvana, which is achieved by understanding and ending the cycle of attachment and craving.
Beyond the realms of philosophy, happiness has historically been associated with power and possessions. The accumulation of political, social, or economic power has often been viewed as a means to control one’s environment and achieve desired outcomes, theoretically leading to happiness.
Redefining Happiness in a Changing World
It’s important to acknowledge the varied ways different cultures and individuals perceive and define happiness. For example, in the United States, happiness is often linked with personal achievements, feelings of excitement, success, and freedom, whereas many Asian cultures equate happiness with social harmony, moderation, good luck, and a sense of calm and relaxation
The Impact of AI on Our Well-being
AI is no longer a futuristic concept. In many countries, it has become a tangible reality, influencing almost every aspect of our lives whether we recognize it or not. From the information we consume (curated by AI algorithms) to the tools transforming industries and the shifts in how we work, AI is playing an increasingly significant role.
This pervasive influence gives rise to key questions about its impact on our happiness. Can AI improve our well-being by automating mundane tasks, thus freeing up valuable time for more meaningful pursuits? Does AI diminish our sense of agency and interconnection, potentially leading to a more superficial existence? Do AI-curated realities limit our exposure to diverse perspectives, hindering our individual growth and societal development?
4 A’s for Navigating AI and Happiness
To navigate these complex changes, four guiding principles can be helpful:
- Awareness: Identify the things that bring you happiness. Cultivate a critical understanding of how AI is affecting your life. Recognize the algorithms, AI-powered tools at your work, and AI’s influence on your relationships.
- Appreciation: Value the unique capabilities of both human and artificial intelligence. Appreciate AI’s efficiency and problem-solving power, but recognize the irreplaceable value of human emotions, creativity, and critical thinking.
- Acceptance: Embrace the reality of change and the ongoing evolution of technology. Accept that AI will continue to transform our world, and focus on adapting to these changes in a way that promotes your well-being.
- Accountability: Take responsibility for your use of AI and support its ethical development and implementation. Hold yourself and others accountable for ensuring that AI serves humanity’s best interests and contributes to a more just and fulfilling world.
By using these principles, we can harness AI’s potential to enhance our lives and move closer to a more genuine and sustainable form of happiness. Perhaps this World Happiness Day can be seen as an invitation to configure a glocal approach to happiness, in which everyone gets their fair chance to thrive — free from material want, equipped to harness AI as a catalyst of their best selves. Can we commit to a hybrid future where technology empowers us to flourish as both individuals and as a global community?
