A new book titled “AI and the Art of Being Human” explores how people can maintain their individuality and humanity as artificial intelligence technology advances. The book, written with the help of AI and co-authored by Jeff Abbott and Andrew Maynard, offers practical guidance for navigating a world where machines are increasingly able to replicate human speech, writing, and problem-solving.
Andrew Maynard, a professor at Arizona State University’s School for the Future of Innovation in Society, said: “Human qualities that will become more important as AI advances are qualities like curiosity, our capacity for wonder and awe, our ability to create value through relationships and … our capacity to love and be loved.”
The authors discussed concerns about AI diminishing direct human interaction. Abbott stated: “AI has the potential to further reduce human interaction and, with it, the opportunity to exercise compassion. Compassion broadly defined means an action-oriented concern for others’ well-being, and it is much more easily activated where direct human contact is involved.” He emphasized that those developing AI should consider individuals who may not have a voice in its creation or use.
Maynard described AI as a mirror reflecting both individual identity and broader societal values. “Because artificial intelligence is increasingly capable of emulating the things that we think of as making us uniquely human — the way we speak, our thinking and reasoning, our ability to empathize and form relationships, and to solve problems and innovate — it’s becoming a metaphorical mirror that reflects not simply what we look like, but who we believe we are,” he said. He added that while AI can reveal new aspects of ourselves, it also has the capacity to distort perceptions.
To address these challenges, Abbott explained that the book provides 21 tools designed to help readers make conscious decisions about using AI. One such tool is called the intent map. According to Abbott: “It’s a thinking tool that makes values visible and choices conscious before the momentum of AI and the actions of others make choices for you.”
Maynard warned against over-reliance on agentic AI—systems capable of making independent decisions—which could lead people to lose their own agency if they do not consider potential consequences. The book introduces four approaches—curiosity, clarity, intentionality, and care—to counter this risk.
Abbott highlighted self-reliance as an essential quality for individuals in an age dominated by artificial intelligence: “Self-reliance in the Emersonian sense … was a spiritual and intellectual manifesto about maintaining sovereignty of mind in the face of conformity, convenience and delegation to systems of thought outside oneself. In the age of AI … it’s necessary and it’s urgent.”
Regarding how much input AI had in creating their book Maynard noted: “We agreed early on in the process that … it made sense to use AI to accelerate the writing process… We developed a quite complex and sophisticated approach to working with AI… while we guided our AI ‘ghost writer’ very intentionally… they are also a testament to what is possible through working creatively and iteratively with AI.”
He hopes readers find practical value in their work: “I hope people will approach the book as a practical guide. Something that they bookmark … More importantly I hope people come away realizing that AI isn’t something that simply happens to them but is something that can help them learn to thrive … on their own terms.”
The authors also expressed interest in integrating these concepts into student experiences at Arizona State University (ASU). Maynard said: “The hope…is that ideas and tools here are part of every student’s journey at ASU as we equip them to thrive in an AI future.”
Arizona State University has been recognized for its commitment to innovation; according to U.S. News & World Report rankings ASU was named number one in innovation for eight consecutive years.
Additionally, ASU partners with tech startup Argos Vision on projects such as smart traffic cameras aimed at improving public safety by collecting data across Phoenix locations during a year-long pilot program.
