What is the real difference between us and AI*?

The main difference between humans and AI is that humans have consciousness, emotions, and self-awareness, while AI does not. AI is a “machine” that has been designed and trained to perform specific tasks, but it does not have the capacity for experience or subjective thought. Additionally, AI operates based on pre-determined rules and algorithms, while humans have the ability to make decisions and exhibit creativity based on their experiences and beliefs.

The former paragraph was written by an AI… but, as a human being, I would like to explore this more. Or at least, in my own way.

• AI is great to compile information and knowledge, but humans are able to interpret information, to give context to knowledge and to reach to a point that knowledge turns into wisdom, something AI does not. I hope.
• Wisdom can be defined as living knowledge. AI cannot live knowledge… we can.
• Awareness is the main point of difference and it is that which creates a huge difference between us, humans, and machines. We are aware, you and I, of everything around us.
• Our decision-making process is… different. We mix logic and intuition, facts and suppositions. Spiritually speaking, to make a decision starts with DISCERNMENT, then IMPLEMENTATION. AI’s… well, their decision is based on others’ decision and they come from a collection of information bits.

I think Ais can help a lot in areas of creativity or routine and it is here, right now! Let’s use it, with respect for their creators and collaborators, but let’s never forget our own power.

* AI is the abbreviation for Artificial Intelligence. It is not a machine in the mechanical sense, only in terms of its processing capacity.

Xenophobia: when we are all foreigners

This morning, while walking around the city in which I live, I saw two families that touched my heart and I started to think of how the fear (sometimes a bad feeling) against foreigners can create problems for us and, of course, for them as I am sure at least their children are not going to any school…

This blog is not a political platform; rather than that, I try to raise awareness.

It is not for a social awareness either, but self-awareness… because, you see, we are all foreigners.

Our civilization has becoming an expert on splitting us, humans, into different categories and the land in which we were born is one of them. By this reality, I am Brazilian, a foreigner living in Colombia.

But my relatives are not original from the green giant; I have at least German and Spanish roots. In a way, I am a foreigner in relation to the land I was born!

Besides, I am human; how many species have been displaced for me to be where I am right now? We are all foreigners in relation to them.

And so on! In whichever way anyone looks, we are foreigners living at a place we shouldn’t be… should we?

Let’s look from another perspective: as a human, I can help other species to thrive, I can help them to live longer or to have better health.

As a descendant, I see the influence of my ancestors’ people everywhere in Brazil: food, language, lifestyle, etc. The impact is profound; it has changed the profile of a Brazilian.

As an immigrant in Colombia, I have been serving these people for almost 30 years and I am sure, some impact was done…

In other words, we as foreigners, change our reality. As the foreigner you are, which type of impact have you created?

Angels and demons

At many religious traditions, good and evil are shown as two main forces, constantly fighting for dominance. Now, whether they are real beings or imagination, I think it is up to you to decide.

For me they are neither; for me they are stages of any human, stages that can take place in one day or along many years.

Yes, sometimes we are the angels and our eyes shine with love and peace. We are able to help so many people, even changing their lives.

Yes, sometimes we are the demons that torment others and even our own selves. We spread restlessness instead of peace and our decisions are based on envy or anger.

Most of the time this is not a conscious process – after all, I am sure the majority of people would choose to be an angel instead of a demon.

But if we are aware… if we are listening to our own mind and its effect in our life… if we are paying attention, then it is easier to minimize the form of a demon and empower the form of an angel.

So, next time you are losing patience with a relative, you are upset with another person at your work, you see someone in need with indifference or you are insulting others (at least in your mind), just remember the angel you are… and that is what you will become!

Expatriates: is this a new species?

Sometime ago, I wanted to promote a program with expatriates. With WHAT???

Yes, expatriates… And it is not a new word, it has been in use at least from the 18th century, but it has got a peak in its use in the last few years, simply because there are too many of us.

Yes, I am an expatriate…

And we are not, as some people understood, a person without a country (easy to get confused for those who speak Spanish or Portuguese). Neither are we part of a different species… We are people, OK, but a good comparison would be trees without fixed roots or free birds.

Expatriates go to another country because they have a job to do – an important difference in relation to an immigrant, who is moving to stay; after the job, the expatriate individual goes back to their country or to another one, but the immigrant will stay there until the end.

Why am talking about this? Because I feel it is a very important challenge the world in general is ignoring, with thousands of people roaming the planet without roots…

Our human society is a tree society since we are prepared from childhood to have a family, a stable job, settle somewhere, etc. Uprooted humans (a possible replacement for expatriate?) go against that general education.

And that is wonderful! As an expatriate, I feel I pollinate the world by taking experiences, points of view and values from one place to another, challenging the status quo and proposing changes to the environment where I live or go.

I thank every place for their kindness, lessons or the space to grow and although I am aware one day I may have to go from this place, I know that place will stay in my heart, in my awareness and as part of my personality.