Despite everything, human

Even when interacting with Artificial Intelligence, humans cannot help but display their most multifaceted psychological traits. As workers, we have expectations of AI: I expect it to be a valuable assistant, but at the same time, I fear being disappointed if it fails to meet my needs. The monitoring also showed us some fears related to the possibility of unlearning one’s craft by handing over more and more tasks to AI. After overcoming the hurdle of figuring out how best to interact with the tools, there is in some cases, a sense of inadequacy regarding one’s professional added value.

The use of artificial intelligence introduces a dynamic similar to the management of delegation and trust between humans, especially when dealing with topics about which the user already has in-depth knowledge. In these cases, the user is able to evaluate AI output with a critical eye, recognizing the correct information and filtering out the less accurate.

This trust is based on an understanding: those who know a subject well can leverage AI as a support tool, complementing their own expertise with the suggestions offered, but always retaining decision-making control. The AI then becomes a virtual collaborator, whose effectiveness depends on the user’s ability to manage and verify the information received, just as they would with a human colleague.

It is a double-edged sword. Scientific topics are very specific, so you have to know how to handle the concepts. If you don’t, you risk going off the rails. — Corinna

The match between personal culture and artificial intelligence plays a crucial role in the effective management of the tool, especially when it comes to managing one’s own fragility with respect to knowledge. If a user has a solid cultural or content base, they will be able to make the most of AI, using it not only to get quick answers, but also to enrich and refine their skills.

This synergy between personal knowledge and AI allows the output of artificial intelligence to be improved, making it an integral part of a continuous growth process. In this context, AI becomes a tool that amplifies the user’s abilities, but it is the individual’s preparation that determines its effectiveness. Those with a good content base will be able to recognize and appraise relevant answers, avoiding the risk of blindly relying on technology and thus maintaining control over their own learning and development path.

The output might appear formally correct, at the level of syntactic construction of a document, for example. If I know nothing about the question I asked, the answer might be reliable. Those without legal skills might be fooled by legal-sounding lingo. — Massimiliano

Expectations of artificial intelligence can profoundly affect how the technology is perceived and used. Two distinct approaches arise when users evaluate the results of using AI:

• Version 1: If initial results are less than expected, the user may psychologically freeze and lose trust in the tool. This disappointment may lead them to give up on the AI for that particular task, concluding that the technology cannot effectively solve the problem.
• Version 2: Conversely, if the results exceed expectations, the user may perceive AI as an almost “alien” technology, capable of extraordinary and unexpected results. This surprising level of performance can generate a mix of amazement and admiration, reinforcing the perception of AI as an extremely powerful and innovative tool.

In both cases, comparing expectations and results determines the user’s confidence level and future approach to artificial intelligence.

Sometimes I start using it, but then I quit because I realize I’m wasting my time. For example, today I uploaded a sentence in English for it to translate into Italian and the result was disastrous! At first, it didn’t understand the subject, and then it had problems with the characters. — Massimiliano

I asked it what the next step was. I had one in mind, and it came up with four! The output it gives me compared to the input I give it is incredible. — Teresa

Artificial intelligence offers amazing tools to simplify and speed up everyday tasks such as managing email, creating summaries, or translating. However, a growing concern is surfacing: the fear of losing the ability to do things independently. The habit of turning these tasks over to AI can lead to a dependency that could weaken personal skills over time.

This fear reflects a conflict between the pursuit of efficiency and the importance of maintaining skills. While AI saves time and resources, it may reduce the daily practice of basic skills, leaving users more vulnerable when the tool is not available. The real balance lies in using AI for support without losing sight of the need to maintain the ability to perform the tasks independently.

The increasing use of AI by younger generations raises concerns about the potential loss of critical skills, such as analytical thinking and irony, and the adoption of a functionalist mindset. There is a fear that technology will be increasingly relied upon to simplify tasks, reducing the effort to explore complex topics in depth. This trend risks making superficiality and lack of accuracy more acceptable, as is already evident in the habit of stopping at the first results of a Google search, at the expense of complexity and critical reflection.

If you don’t have a solid grasp of the concept, the result may look well-done, but you won’t be able to tell if it’s actually good in terms of content. I see this with my students. It’s misleading: it’s a convincing smoke seller, and if you’re not a careful listener, you can be misled. — Corinna

The real threat is not that AI will “steal” jobs, but that jobs will be taken by those who know how to use AI better. It is not a matter of fearing the tool itself, but of recognizing the importance of mastering it to remain competitive. AI is not what makes the difference; it is the ability to integrate it effectively into your workflow.

Those who understand how to maximize AI’s potential will have a competitive advantage, while those who fail to adapt risk being left behind. In this context, the winning strategy is not to avoid AI, but to learn how to use it well in order to “survive” and thrive in an increasingly technological and innovative work environment.

In my industry, many people are against the use of AI, but they do not realize that they will not be replaced by AI but by someone who knows how to use AI better than they do. — Matteo