Preserving the human spirit is vital in the age of artificial intelligence

https://www.chinadailyasia.com/article/634020

Publish Date: 2026-05-27 12:11:00

Xu Yangsheng, president of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, recently said that “Rather than being merely a technological tool, artificial intelligence blends new ways of thinking, behavioral norms, and value judgments.” His message carries a lot of weight. It reminds us that AI offers not only opportunities, but also significant risks.

Most people in the first instance believe that AI is just a tool. We humans will use it to our advantage, given the values that we cherish. Xu was telling us that AI is changing our lifestyle and potentially reshaping our values. Humanity could be adversely affected if we are not mindful and allow AI to get the better of us.

AI is convenient and becoming extremely powerful. Given the human weaknesses that we all share, some of us will be tempted to use AI to cheat or to gain an unfair advantage, thereby hurting others. Even normally fair-minded people could convince themselves, “If I do not cross the line, others will.” Any “line” that had existed before could then be erased. The world will become more dangerous for everybody.

This is why maintaining the human spirit and ensuring proper governance in the use of AI are paramount. Without proper governance, honest people will get ripped off. The world would descend into chaos. Xu urged the younger generation to master AI tools, maintain independent thinking, stick to moral bottom lines, and embrace the digital era with reason, responsibility, and cultural sensitivity.

I have studied human nature for decades and have concluded that independent thinking is rare. In this age of AI, renowned philosopher Zhou Guoping’s reminder is most timely. He stressed that we must hold fast to humanistic warmth, moral judgment, and work incessantly to become a better human. Unfortunately, this cannot be taken for granted.

Happily, China is a true civilization state. This means that the Chinese civilization is widely shared and cherished by its people. Chinese civilization…

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