FT Weekend Fest: Could AI make us happier?

Artificial intelligence serves as a potential tool for enhancing emotional intelligence and navigating the complexities of human relationships. By acting as a repository of collective wisdom, AI offers a corrective to the personal biases and unconscious patterns that often lead to conflict and misunderstanding. Philosopher Alain de Botton suggests that since most individuals struggle to interpret their own emotional needs or the perspectives of their partners, AI can provide necessary clarity and perspective during moments of distress. While traditional therapy remains a vital, albeit expensive, practice, AI can democratize access to self-reflection by helping users identify recurring behavioral patterns. However, true emotional growth requires periods of quiet contemplation and the courage to confront one's "true self," ensuring that technology functions as a mirror for self-discovery rather than a crutch that avoids the essential work of human development.