Archive - September 2026

Humans, AI and the dividing line between them

Part of what distinguishes us as human beings from other living beings (and indeed from AI) is our capacity to not only to reflect (a cognitive process), but also to be reflexive (using our cognitive, emotional and somatic capabilities), as well as our capacity and our profound need to relate to, to connect with, and to be seen, acknowledged and understood by other human beings.  There is a central role for the recognition of emotions, the expression of spontaneous and intense emotions, and the nonverbal communication of emotions (see Schore, 2003a, 2003b for references) in human survival itself.  It feels to me that there’s a danger of investing AI with the belief that it can do everything, including relating, offering warmth and nurturing.  A relationship with another human being is fundamentally different from what one could possibly call a relationship with an AI.   Most importantly, an AI couldn’t be attuned to a human being, and it couldn’t relate to a client’s inner experience, or join the client in a joint exploration to make meaning together. An AI wouldn’t feel something in the presence of another as a human would.