March 27th was the release of “The AI Doc: Or How I Became an Apocaloptimist.” Directed by Daniel Roher and Charlie Tyrell, this documentary is a deeply personal investigation. Roher, a father-to-be, embarks on a quest to understand the world his child will inherit—a world where the lines between “human” and “machine” are blurring faster than we can process.
The AI doc recently became available on streaming services, and we’re hopeful the masses continue to watch it with keen interest. Why? Because the film’s central tension hits at the heart of our mission. We believe that the greatest challenges of our time aren’t just technical—they are relational.
The Forces Pulling Us Apart
The film highlights a perfect storm of disconnection we’ve been investigating.
1. Hyper-Individualism
We are living in an era that worships the solo achievement. As AI begins to outpace human capabilities in isolation, the temptation is to lean further into our own digital silos.
But as “The AI Doc” suggests, when we face existential shifts alone, we don’t find agency; we find “Anxiety Mountain.” Hyper-individualism has stripped away the communal safety nets we need to navigate a future this uncertain, one where only our collective action has the potential to safeguard that future.
2. Hijack Technologies
The documentary explores how AI isn’t just a tool; it’s an ecosystem designed to capture our attention and, in some cases, “hack” our neurochemistry. These “hijack technologies” are intentionally designed to keep us scrolling, prompting, and reacting. By doing so, they disconnect us from what truly matters: the deep, messy, beautiful experience of being present with another human being. Becoming less resilient in these relational skills means becoming less capable of truly partnering for impact.
3. Separation from Nature
The film implicitly, and sometimes explicitly, questions the cost of creating an entire artificial reality. Our profound separation from nature is exacerbated by technologies that pull our focus from the physical world into virtual ones.
As we spend more time interacting with algorithms and less time engaging with the living planet, we lose a vital source of resilience, perspective, and genuine belonging. Our disconnection with nature is causing us to neglect its health and make decisions against our own human health and existence.
How to Stay Grounded
We hope “The AI Doc” serves as a wake-up call to return our attention to humanity and the planet—building Deep Connections that improve our lives and lead to real impact for the good of all.
We invite you to use it as a catalyst for a “Relationship Reset.” Instead of spiraling into solo dread, try these three things:
Watch with a “Plus One”: Watch the documentary with a partner, a friend, or a colleague.
Join the Human Movement: The decisions being made about AI right now will shape the next centuries. The Human Movement is how ordinary people get a seat at the table. It offers practical advice on how to protect yourself from the harms AI can cause.
Recenter Connection: Reflect on how you utilize the technology of today to connect with your community. Consider starting an in-person Connection Circle in your neighborhood or department. Try downloading our toolkits with practical guidance on how to foster and nurture Deep Connections both with and without modern technology.
We are grateful for people like Tristan Harris and the Center for Humane Technology who are shedding light on the issues surrounding these technologies and how we can protect what matters.
