Recent breakthroughs in artificial intelligence have pushed the boundaries of what machines can accomplish, ranging from solving one of the seven Millennium Prize Problems to mapping the biological effects of every possible single-letter change in the human genome. While these developments are undeniably impressive, experts caution that the spotlight on algorithmic prowess risks obscuring the irreplaceable value of human experiences.
Dacher Keltner, a psychology professor at Berkeley, defines awe as the sensation of confronting something vast that transcends current understanding. Although AI achievements certainly qualify, his research indicates that human connection remains the primary catalyst for this emotion. In a study analyzing 2,600 awe-inspiring narratives from 26 countries, researchers discovered that the most common triggers were not nature or spirituality, but rather acts of courage, kindness, and resilience displayed by other people.
Keltner terms this phenomenon “moral beauty,” noting that 95% of such awe stemmed from witnessing actions taken for the benefit of others. He identifies moral beauty as the first of eight everyday sources of wonder, alongside collective movement, music, and spirituality. While technology can facilitate these experiences, they are fundamentally shaped by human interaction and community.
The benefits of awe extend beyond emotion; they physically alter brain activity by quieting regions associated with ego, self-criticism, and anxiety. This shift fosters a sense of interdependence and collaboration, moving individuals away from competition toward a feeling of shared community. However, historians note that technological awe has a long history of potentially alienating people from one another.
Harvard historian Perry Miller coined the term “technological sublime” in the early 19th century, describing how industrial majesty joined natural and moral wonders in the American consciousness. Later, David Nye observed that awe inspired by massive engineering projects often disconnected observers from the human element, comparing people viewed from great heights to mere insects. Similarly, modern digital connectivity can create a paradox where being linked to the world globally isolates individuals from their immediate surroundings.
Addressing this tension, Albert Einstein once urged students at Caltech to ensure that concern for humanity remains the central focus of all technical endeavors, warning that inventions should be a blessing rather than a curse. As AI continues to evolve, experts emphasize that awe does not require expensive technology or fossil fuels. By simply pausing to appreciate the moral beauty and courage found in everyday human interactions, individuals can access this profound psychological state without relying on machines.
My cat thinks I’m vast and incomprehensible. Does that count as moral beauty? Asking for a friend.
The historical parallel to the industrial sublime is fascinating. We’ve been here before with steam engines and electricity.
Is this just another tech-bro guilt trip? Or do you actually believe humans will choose connection over convenience?
Wait, 95 percent of awe comes from moral beauty? That statistic blew my mind. I assumed it was nature.
Finally, someone says it. AI is impressive, but a stranger helping an elder is where true awe lives.