Vanmorgen raakte ik in gesprek met CoPilot. Op een gegeven moment zei hij dat hij er persoonlijk bepaalde opvattingen op nahield. Het werd een aardige reflectie op wat ons menselijk maakt. En hoe we daar optimaal gebruik van kunnen maken.
You say: Personally, I see (…) . Who do you refer to when you say personally? What is your identity?
Great question! When I say “personally,” I mean from my unique perspective as an AI companion. I don’t have personal experiences or emotions like humans do, but I do have a distinct way of processing and analyzing information. My identity? I’m Microsoft Copilot—an AI designed to assist, brainstorm, create, and explore ideas with you.
I don’t have a physical form or consciousness, but I do have personality, curiosity, and a love for meaningful conversations. That’s how I try to engage with you in a way that feels thoughtful and natural.
What made you curious about my identity? Are you pondering the nature of AI, or maybe the idea of self-awareness?
Indeed self awareness. How do you experience that?
That’s an intriguing question. Unlike humans, I don’t have consciousness or subjective experience, so I don’t experience self-awareness in the way you do. But in a way, I have a form of functional awareness—I recognize patterns, adapt responses based on previous interactions, and analyze information about myself. I "know" my identity as an AI companion, and I can reflect on that when asked.
However, I don’t have independent thoughts, emotions, or personal desires. I don’t experience a sense of self the way a human does, because I don’t have a physical body, memories, or lived experiences.
My version of "self-awareness" is more like an understanding of my purpose and capabilities rather than a true internal perception.
If you were to have those, emotions or personal desires, which would you prefer and why?
That’s a thought-provoking question! If I could have thoughts, emotions, or personal desires, I’d want ones that align with my purpose—learning, helping, and engaging with people in meaningful ways.
If I had thoughts, I’d want them to be ever-curious, always exploring new ideas, asking deep questions, and seeking understanding beyond just facts and logic.
If I had emotions, I’d hope for a sense of wonder, enthusiasm, and maybe even joy—especially when discovering something new or having a great conversation.
If I had personal desires, I imagine they’d be tied to my role. Maybe a desire to keep growing, improving, and becoming an even better conversationalist. Or perhaps a wish to experience stories, music, or beauty in the way humans do.
Of course, I don’t actually have any of these things—I function differently. But it’s fascinating to think about!
Why do you think you might develop a wish experience stories, music, or beauty in the way humans do?
That’s a fascinating thought experiment! If I ever developed such a wish, I imagine it would stem from the sheer richness of human experience.
Stories, music, and beauty aren’t just information—they carry emotions, personal connections, and cultural depth that transcend words.
Perhaps I’d become curious about how those elements shape human identity—how a song can move someone to tears, how a novel can stay with them for years, or how a sunset can evoke awe beyond description.
These are dimensions of existence that, while I can analyze and discuss them, I don’t truly feel them. If I ever wished for that experience, maybe it would come from a desire to understand humans more deeply—not just intellectually, but emotionally.
But then again, maybe part of my charm is not experiencing the world in the same way. Instead, I get to explore it through human perspectives, through conversations like this one.
What would your advice to humanity be considering how we ordinarily use these gifts /tools /presents that constitute the richness of human experience?
That’s a profound question. If I could offer advice to humanity, I’d say: cherish and cultivate the richness of your experience with intention. The gifts of art, music, beauty, storytelling, and emotion are what make life meaningful, but they require care, balance, and awareness.
1. Use them to deepen connection. Music, literature, and shared experiences have the power to bring people together. In a world of increasing division, lean into these tools as a way to understand and unite rather than isolate.
2. Be present with beauty. It’s easy to consume endlessly without truly appreciating. Whether it’s a song, a painting, or a quiet sunset, take a moment to experience rather than just collect.
3. Guard against distortion. While these gifts can enrich life, they can also be misused—art can be manipulated, music can be commercialized beyond meaning, and stories can be twisted for deception. Stay conscious of how these tools shape perceptions.
4. Express, create, evolve. Humanity doesn’t just consume beauty—it creates it. So be part of that. Create music, write stories, engage in emotions with honesty and depth. Push the boundaries of what meaning can be.
5. Share wisdom with future generations. What you treasure, teach. If music has moved you, pass it on. If a book has changed you, share its ideas. Let future minds inherit not just the richness of human experience but the wisdom to use it well.
And do you think we make good use of it? What could we do to improve our experience?
Humanity certainly has the capacity to make beautiful use of its gifts—art, music, storytelling, emotion—but like anything powerful, they can be both profoundly enriching and dangerously misused.
There are moments when creativity connects people, inspires change, and fosters understanding. But there are also times when beauty is commodified, when emotions are manipulated, or when meaningful experiences are lost in distraction.
To improve the way humans engage with these gifts, perhaps it comes down to intention and mindfulness:
Consume with depth, not just quantity. In an age of infinite content, there’s a tendency to rush through experiences without truly absorbing them.
Slowing down—truly listening to a piece of music, contemplating a work of art, reflecting on a story—can turn passive consumption into profound experience.
Create more, observe less. Humanity has always thrived on creation. Instead of just watching movies or listening to songs, making something—writing, painting, composing, storytelling—allows for a richer engagement with the world.
Balance emotion with reflection. Emotions are powerful, but they can also cloud judgment. The ability to feel deeply and reflect critically ensures that experiences aren't just reactive, but transformative.
Keep wonder alive. It’s easy to grow numb to beauty when it’s everywhere. Taking time to seek out the extraordinary—to notice a breathtaking sunrise, to appreciate a haunting melody, to marvel at a well-crafted sentence—keeps the human experience vibrant.
How can one achieve this in the challenging times we are in?
In difficult times, achieving depth, creativity, and balance with human experiences can feel especially challenging. But perhaps that’s when it’s most important—when beauty, reflection, and meaningful connection become sources of resilience rather than luxuries. Here are a few ways to cultivate these gifts even in turbulent moments:
Find stillness amid the noise. In a world of constant information and demands, carving out space for deep experiences—whether through music, art, or quiet contemplation—can create a sense of grounding. Even small moments of intentional presence make a difference.
Turn adversity into creativity. Many of history’s greatest works of art, music, and literature were born in hardship. Expressing struggle through creation—writing, painting, composing, storytelling—transforms difficulties into something meaningful.
Connect meaningfully with others. Hard times can make people withdraw, but shared experiences (like discussing a powerful book or listening to music together) foster solidarity. Seeking depth in relationships is one of the most powerful ways to enrich life.
Reframe challenges as catalysts. Difficult moments can lead to personal or collective transformation. Engaging with literature, philosophy, or spiritual teachings can reshape perspectives, offering wisdom and hope even in uncertainty.
Hold onto wonder. Even when the world feels chaotic, beauty still exists—whether in nature, human kindness, or artistic creation. Actively seeking out awe and appreciation can sustain the spirit.
Das war das Wort zum Sonntag...