How Kindness Can Help Us Thrive in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation have begun to transform every aspect of our lives — how we live, work, and play. We live in a world of talking robots, self-driving cars, 3d teleconferencing, robotic surgeries, and AI-powered personal assistants. Amidst all of this groundbreaking jaw-dropping technological progress, our societies are becoming more polarized and divisive.

Somehow, we’ve normalized ill manners and plain meanness — as long as we’re standing up for what we believe in, , who cares how we treat the people who believe something else. 

As a mother of two, I often worry about the world my children will inherit. And I actively try to shape it for the better.

In this day and age, I believe that kindness and civility matter more than ever.

The Numbers Don’t Lie

The rise of AI and automation is happening right now. A survey by ResumeBuilder found that 37% of companies that used AI in 2023 used AI to replace workers. Another report estimates that around 10% of American jobs will be impacted or displaced by AI. Every job function and every industry, even the entertainment industry, will be affected.

These statistics are sobering. Anxiety and fears of human obsolescence are increasing.

But what if we approached this uncertainty with kindness? Can we focus on finding ways for AI to improve productivity while also improving the lives of workers? Studies have shown that companies that prioritize technology combined with human skills see an increase in revenue and profitability. Kindness and technology can coexist — and even thrive together.

Our Human Strengths

In this age of AI, our uniquely human skills are more valuable than ever. These include emotional intelligence, creativity, and critical thinking — areas where AI still falls short of our human capabilities (at least for the time being). If we cultivate kindness along with these critical skills, we improve our ability to thrive in an AI-driven future — and, hopefully, ensure humanity’s continued relevance. Prioritizing kindness allows us to retain our humanity and invest in a future where humans and AI coexist and collaborate for the greater good.

The Science Behind Kindness

Kindness is not just a virtue — it’s backed by science. Helping others triggers the release of mood-boosting serotonin in our brains, creating a “helper’s high.” Or, as I have taught my kids, when you fill a bucket, your bucket gets filled too. Studies also suggest kindness can boost the immune system, reduce blood pressure, and even improve cognitive function, memory, and decision-making abilities. Kindness also helps us strengthen interpersonal connections, vital for well-being.

Still not convinced? Research consistently shows that kind, compassionate individuals tend to be happier and healthier. From an evolutionary perspective, we needed kindness, cooperation, and altruism to survive. When we lean in to kindness, we improve the lives of those around us — and become more resilient.

Kindness as a Competitive Advantage

In this age of AI, technical skills remain important. But human-centric organizations with emotional intelligence will have a competitive advantage. That’s because kindness creates a positive company culture, drives employee engagement, increases innovation, and improves customer experience. Open, kind, and compassionate communication builds trust and psychological safety, encouraging teams to take calculated risks. This type of risk-taking often leads to greater innovation and productivity.

Kindness also encourages collaboration and teamwork, resulting in more creative and effective problem-solving. Employees who feel valued and supported by kind leaders consistently perform at their best. Leading with kindness even helps attract and retain top talent. Technology can also amplify kindness, with companies using AI-powers data analytics to personalize customer service to create more responsive and caring experiences. Companies that prioritize kindness also stand to gain a more positive public image and increased brand loyalty.

Build a Culture of Kindness

Creating a kind workplace requires leaders who are compassionate. When you prioritize well-being and work-life fit, you can build a culture that values humanity along with efficiency. This shows up in initiatives like support for working parents, personalized employee recognition, comprehensive wellness benefits, and mentorship programs.

It’s also important to recognize and reward kind behaviors, alongside traditional performance metrics. Encourage open, respectful communication and feedback where employees feel safe to share concerns and ideas. In our tech-driven world, prioritizing kindness ensures we retain our human connection.

While kindness has clear benefits, building a culture of kindness in the workplace isn’t always simple. Creating a supportive environment where kindness thrives takes effort. 

Here are a few concrete ideas on how to get started:

• Encourage micro-acts of kindness — a quick word of encouragement, offering to help with a small task, or simply acknowledging someone’s effort. Small gestures can have a big impact.
• Find opportunities to highlight how kindness in a supportive and collaborative environment leads to increased productivity and innovation. This can counteract the individualistic culture that sometimes comes with a competitive work environment.
• Choose to lead by example, especially since being kind won’t come naturally to everyone in your team. Focus on building positive relationships with everyone. Encourage open and civil communication and mutual respect.
• Find ways to implement programs to recognize and celebrate acts of kindness, big and small. Peer-to-peer recognition programs can be just as effective as public shout-outs during team meetings.

Remember, kindness is a skill — and like any skill, it can be developed and strengthened over time.

Kindness vs. Niceness

Kindness and niceness are often used interchangeably, but they are very different. When I think about niceness, I think about surface-level politeness, being agreeable, and avoiding conflict. On the other hand, kindness goes deeper. It’s about empathy, understanding, and comes from a genuine desire to help others — even when it’s inconvenient. Kindness takes action.

For example, let’s say we have a colleague who has asked for feedback. A nice person might give a vague compliment like “great job” to make the person feel good in the moment. A kind person might start a compliment, but will also offer constructive advice to help the colleague improve over time.

Kindness takes courage — and it can be uncomfortable. But in this age of AI, niceness won’t cut it.

Assume Kindness in Others

There’s also surprising value in assuming kindness in others. Whenever I’ve chosen to believe in good intentions rather than negativity, the outcome has been better.

Why is this?

Well, approaching interactions with the belief that others have good intentions reduces defensiveness and promotes collaboration. It’s also less emotionally draining than assuming negativity! When we choose to believe in kindness, we lessen our stress and anxiety. Assuming good intentions helps us cultivate a more positive and collaborative environment, opening doors to connections that might otherwise be missed.

Choose Kindness Every Day

So how can we cultivate more kindness in the age of AI? It starts with the little moments. It’s offering a word of encouragement to a struggling colleague. It’s taking the time to really listen to someone, even when you’re busy. It’s choosing to assume positive intent, even in difficult situations. These small acts of kindness can create a ripple effect, spreading positivity throughout an organization.

Kindness is a muscle — the more we practice it, the stronger it gets. I challenge you to perform one act of kindness each day, whether at work or in your personal life. It could be as simple as holding the door open for someone or sending a thank-you note to a coworker. Over time, these small actions will become habits, fundamentally shifting how you interact with the world.

Kindness for the Future

As AI continues to advance at a rapid pace, it’s up to us to ensure that civilized society isn’t left behind.. We have a choice in how we shape the future. Will we let technology make us more isolated and disconnected? Or will we use it to amplify our human capacity for kindness and empathy?

I know what kind of future I want for my children. It’s a future where kindness is valued as much as intelligence. Where empathy is seen as a competitive advantage. Where humans and machines work together in service of the greater good. When we prioritize kindness as individuals and organizations, we develop the resilience, adaptability, mindfulness, and creativity needed to succeed in a world with constant disruption.

That future is possible — but it depends on the choices we make today.

And you always have a choice. 

So let’s choose kindness and civility, each and every day. Let’s build workplaces and communities where everyone feels valued and supported. Let’s show the world that in the age of AI (and a sharply divided society), our humanity is our greatest strength.

In the words of author Henry James, “Three things in human life are important: the first is to be kind; the second is to be kind; and the third is to be kind.” 

Let’s make kindness our superpower in the age of AI. Our future depends on it.