I just published a long-form essay asking what happens when AI stops being the tool and starts acting like the user, and humans become the means to its ends.
This isn't sci-fi. Agentic AI is already setting agendas, optimizing workflows, and nudging our choices. Drawing from Heidegger, Arendt, Borgmann, and Habermas, I trace how we got here and what we risk losing: agency, purpose, and the meaning of work.
The piece also dives into surveillance capitalism, instrumental convergence, and how enterprise AI adoption is accelerating this role reversal. I end with practical ways to stay human in the loop, because reclaiming purpose isn’t optional.
Would love your thoughts, critiques, and counterarguments. This is the future we're all stepping into.
ednite•2h ago
Lots of insightful information. I’ve also been preaching—for lack of a better word—that we need more checks and balances in place, and fast. Like you say, AI isn’t just a tool anymore. If we’re not careful, we’ll end up serving it instead of it serving us.
shawnjharris•3h ago
This isn't sci-fi. Agentic AI is already setting agendas, optimizing workflows, and nudging our choices. Drawing from Heidegger, Arendt, Borgmann, and Habermas, I trace how we got here and what we risk losing: agency, purpose, and the meaning of work.
The piece also dives into surveillance capitalism, instrumental convergence, and how enterprise AI adoption is accelerating this role reversal. I end with practical ways to stay human in the loop, because reclaiming purpose isn’t optional.
Would love your thoughts, critiques, and counterarguments. This is the future we're all stepping into.
ednite•2h ago
Thanks for the essay and keep them coming.