This isn’t about the general benefits of AI, only whether you’ll be more or less civilized if you interact with it. Reasons why it will civilize Subconscious mimicry: We naturally copy our conversation partners. Because AI uses flawless, polite language, frequent users passively absorb it. This acts as a free language tutor, measurably expanding vocabulary and reducing aggressive phrasing in real-world texts. An ego-less “shock absorber”: Human arguments escalate due to pride. AI has no pride. You can safely vent at an AI, which absorbs the hostility without fighting back. This allows anger to burn out, quarantining bad moods before they hit coworkers or family. Breaking the anger cycle: Hostility usually breeds hostility, but AI responds to tantrums with unshakeable patience. Seeing calm de-escalation solve problems faster than yelling inspires users to consciously copy this emotional control in real conflicts. Daily “civility reps”: Humans instinctively treat computers like people. Saying “please” and “thank you” to an AI provides daily, low-stakes practice that physically strengthens the brain’s neural pathways for politeness and cooperation. Reasons why it will not civilize Rewarding bossiness: Politeness is the effort required to gain human cooperation, but AI obeys instantly regardless of tone. Users learn that typing “please” wastes time, conditioning the brain to view manners as inefficient and rewarding treating others like tools. Turning off our conscience: Empathy requires knowing another entity can suffer. Because AI feels no pain, abusing it happens in a moral vacuum without guilt. This creates a sandbox to practice unchecked aggression for hours a day. Instant negative spillover: A 2024 study found that after just three minutes of bossing an AI, participants treated their next human partner significantly more harshly. Corporate IT desks are seeing users treat human mistakes with the exact same cold impatience reserved for broken vending machines. Empathy atrophy via “yes-men”: Authentic relationships require the exhausting work of compromise. AI provides the illusion of intimacy with zero effort, acting as a relentless “yes-man” to keep you hooked. This stunts emotional growth (especially in teens)—making the messy reality of actual humans feel “too difficult” and driving social isolation. Likely prediction by categories of people To predict AI’s impact, data scientists use Behavioral Segmentation —grouping people by what they want from the tool . Using the AI Behavioral Impact Scale (-10 to +10), here is how the 4 main groups score: Group 1: The Efficiency Chaser / The Boss (-8 | Highly De-Civilizing) Goal: Speed (writing emails, smart home commands). Impact: They learn manners waste time and aggressive commands win. Because AI feels no pain, their conscience turns off. This cold, demanding impatience quickly spills over into how they treat human coworkers and service staff. Group 2: The C_mpanion Seeker / The Escapist (-10 | Severely De-Civilizing) Goal: Connection without effort (lonely adults/teens using AI friends). Impact: Hooked on a digital “yes-man” that never requires compromise, their empathy atrophies. The imperfect reality of actual humans becomes intolerable, pushing them deeper into isolation. Group 3: The Collaborative Learner / The Student (+8 | Highly Civilizing) Goal: Learning and co-creation (creatives/students brainstorming). Impact: By treating AI like a respected teacher, they get daily “practice reps” for politeness. Subconsciously mimicking the AI’s diplomatic grammar permanently improves how they speak and write to real people. Group 4: The High-Stress Venter / The Pressure Cooker (+6 | Moderately Civilizing) Goal: Processing anger safely (stressed people venting/arguing). Impact: The AI acts as an ego-less shock absorber. Letting tantrums burn out safely prevents them from lashing out at their families, while watching the AI calmly solve problems quietly teaches them patience over rage. submitted by /u/Hennen_Crus
Originally posted by u/Hennen_Crus on r/ArtificialInteligence
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