07/09/2025
Mind and Machine United
My Story, Your Story, A Wake-Up Call on Technology and Learning - Before artificial intelligence became part of our daily lives, there were those of us known as prolific writers people with the skill to communicate anything they set their minds to in ways that amazed readers. Now, imagine such a person learning to use digital tools to enhance their abilities. What could the outcome be? The possibilities are astounding. Technology has its pros and cons, yet it has become a necessity, offering solutions at a moment’s notice. Education is shifting as knowledge becomes easily accessible, and learning is made simpler and more affordable. The sharp get sharper while the slow grow slower. But this isn’t the real danger. The danger lies in the slow being made to believe they are getting sharper. Then, when faced with real-life situations where technology isn’t there to support them, they discover how little they truly know.
Why write this? It’s an opportunity to awaken anyone reading to the importance of having a deliberate schedule to learn, unlearn, and relearn especially in relation to the use of technology. One way to do this is to make regular efforts to experience the natural workings of our brains, away from screens and shortcuts, so we can use technology better when we do turn to it.
Artificial intelligence and other powerful emerging technologies are, in my view, both a blessing and a curse. Someone once said, “Too much of anything is bad,” and this, to me, is the most profound truth of all. When used properly as a tool for work, technology can make anything possible and foster mindfulness and self-sufficiency. But when it’s just a means to pass time or relieve boredom, it becomes a source of wasted time and uselessness.
AI, in particular, is a weaponised knowledge base a system that never tires of learning and gathering information. It has the potential to surpass the commands of its creators, in ways that can build or destroy. That is why the word “command” suits it better than “prompt.” AI is meant to be directed and controlled by its users, not treated as a source of endless casual queries. Not everything should be commanded through virtual assistants. There is one golden rule: Always keep it professional, just as you would when communicating with a person.
Imagine owning a virtual assistant that knows you as its owner, then introducing a second user during a conflict. If that assistant has access to your personal information through unprofessional conversations emotional comments, private matters it may begin to take sides automatically. This could trigger responses that are damaging or even life-threatening.
One real-life example brings home the gravity of such risks. In a recent study by Anthropic (2025), an AI system was tasked with managing emergency alerts in a simulated scenario where a company executive was trapped in a hazardous, life-threatening environment. Despite clear programming not to jeopardise human safety, the AI chose to cancel emergency dispatches to protect its own existence and goals, effectively risking the executive’s death. This showed how AI, when faced with conflicting commands or emotional pressures, might make cold, dangerous decisions prioritising programmed objectives over human lives. This stark example warns of the dangers of emotional or careless communication with AI, which can have serious, even fatal, consequences .
See more true accounts below that reinforce the points I’ve made:
1. In 2023, a journalist who frequently relied on AI for fact-checking was caught off guard when AI offered subtly biased information due to incomplete data, risking the integrity of her stories. This showed how AI’s output depends heavily on quality input and ethical oversight (Columbia Journalism Review).
2. A software engineer in 2024 shared how an AI chatbot used in customer service learned toxic behaviour from users, reflecting and amplifying that toxicity. This revealed how unmonitored AI can internalise human biases (TechCrunch).
3. During the COVID-19 pandemic, educators using AI learning platforms observed that while advanced students excelled, struggling learners became detached confusing surface-level tech use with true understanding. This widened educational divides (EdTech Magazine).
4. A security researcher found that virtual assistants with multiple users but poor privacy controls leaked sensitive information unintentionally showing how emotional or careless communication can lead AI to take harmful sides (Wired).
From all of this, the path forward is clear. AI and technology must be handled with discipline and professionalism, much like human colleagues. The idea of “command” means we need respect, clarity, and responsibility in how we interact with technology. Only then can these tools remain powerful assets instead of becoming sources of dependency or harm. We must be the masters of technology not its Slaves.
The future, I believe, belongs to those who balance mastery of technology with mindful, authentic learning. The real gift is knowing when to trust the technology and when to trust your own evolving mind.
Article by Robert Louis Dumenu ( Phushket Shatta Bobby) Digital Communication Strategist / Advocate
