As AI Becomes More and More Human-like, How Do We Maintain the Foundations of Being Human?
— In-Depth Analysis of Professor Zhang Rongnan’s Speech at the Bund Conference
I. Summary of the Key Points
At a forum during the 2026 Bund Conference, Professor Zhang Rongnan from the Department of Philosophy at East China Normal University raised a question that hits a very real issue: As artificial intelligence (AI) becomes increasingly human-like and can even mimic human behavior, the greatest risk is not that the machines get out of control, but that humans are degraded.
In simple terms, current technology is crossing the boundaries of what it means to be human. If we need to be vigilant about anything, it’s not that AI might become too intelligent, but that we start to measure humans by machine standards. For example, if a person cannot be as efficient, precise, or available 24/7 as a machine, do we then consider them “not good enough”?
Professor Zhang Rongnan identified three major risks that AI poses to human dignity:
1. Loss of agency: Algorithms make decisions for us, leaving us without the sense of being in control of our own lives.
2. Erosion of the value of labor: Our unique experiences are extracted and replicated, making us seem less valuable.
3. Replacement of genuine human interactions: Real emotional connections are replaced by cold, robotic interactions, leading to a devaluation of our emotional experiences.
To address these risks, he proposed a set of “Seven Principles of Dignity” and a “Three-Level Implementation Path”, with the core idea being that AI should be a tool to assist humans, not a substitute for them; technology must serve humans, not the other way around. This requires the joint efforts of institutions, the market, and culture to ensure that humans retain control in critical decision-making, privacy protection, and emotional care.
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II. In-Depth Analysis: Understanding Human Dignity in the Age of AI from Five Dimensions
1. Don’t Become a Puppet of Algorithms: Decisions Should Be Made by Humans
(Corresponding Principle: Human Agency Principle)
Imagine applying for a loan, undergoing a medical procedure, or interviewing for a job, and the final decision is made by an invisible “black box algorithm” rather than a real person.
- Current Risks: More and more scenarios, such as job screening, preliminary medical diagnoses, and legal sentencing recommendations, rely on AI. If the algorithm decides you’re not qualified or sick, you often don’t know why and can’t appeal. This is a violation of your agency—you’re no longer in control of your own destiny.
- Plain Language: Professor Zhang emphasizes that the more significant a decision affects your life (such as in justice, healthcare, or employment), the more necessary it is to have a human review process.
- Example: AI can help organize information and provide options, but the final decision should always be made by a human.
- Key Point: Algorithmic conclusions must be explainable and correctable. If there’s a mistake, you should be able to identify the responsible party (e.g., a doctor, judge, HR manager) and hold them accountable, rather than just complaining to an impersonal system.
2. Your Body and Data Are Not Free Lunch for Companies
(Corresponding Principles: Data Autonomy Principle + Data and Narrative Ownership Principle)
Apps often request your location, health data, and even brainwave or emotional information. These sensitive data should not be used as a condition for using their services.
- Current Risks: Many products require you to share your privacy in exchange for their use. Worse, companies may use your data to train AI models or sell it for profit without your consent. Your personal experiences and emotions can become fodder for their algorithms.
- Plain Language:
- Clear Consent: You should be fully informed about how your data is used.
- Right to Withdraw: You should have the ability to stop using a service at any time.
- Data Ownership: You control your digital assets; companies should not use them without your permission.
- Basic Functions Should Not Compromise Privacy: Even if you don’t share your location, the app should still function normally.
3. AI Is a Walking Stick, Not a Wheelchair: Support Your Abilities, Not Replace Them
(Corresponding Principle: Ability Support, Not Replacement Principle)
We often say “use it or lose it.” If AI does everything for us, will our abilities decline?
- Current Risks: Over-reliance on AI can lead to a decline in critical thinking, independent judgment, and basic skills.
- Plain Language: AI should enhance your abilities, not replace them. We need to retain the opportunity to think and practice independently.
- Beware of the Comfort Zone: Using AI too much can make us less willing to use our brains, leading to intellectual decline. We must avoid becoming dependent on automation.
4. Don’t Turn Humans into Digital Commodities: Anti-Objectification and Warning Against Anthropomorphism
(Corresponding Principles: Anti-Objectification and Anthropomorphism Principles)
AI can replicate human voices, faces, and personalities, raising the risk of treating humans as interchangeable “parts.”
- Current Risks:
- Unauthorized Use of Images: Your face or voice can be used without your consent in virtual idols or advertisements, potentially leading to fraud.
- Cognitive Confusion: AI chatbots and companions can be too realistic, causing emotional attachment. Disillusionment can be painful.
- Clear Identification: All anthropomorphic AI products must clearly indicate they are machines to avoid confusion and protect users’ emotions.
5. Technology Cannot Be an Excuse for Neglect: Care Should Not Be Neglected
(Corresponding Principles: Response to Vulnerability Principle + Human-Machine Interaction as a Supplement, Not a Replacement)
In vulnerable situations (e.g., for the elderly, children, or the sick), can AI replace human care?
- Current Risks: Companies may use AI to reduce the need for human caregivers, leading to a lack of genuine emotional support.
- Responsibility Avoidance: Technology might be used to avoid social responsibilities. This is a failure to address structural issues in society.
- Critical Moments: AI should not replace human interaction; it should provide support but not replace it entirely.
- Human Presence Required: Systems must have emergency features to ensure human intervention when needed.
III. How to Implement These Principles: Three Levels of Action and Three Key Words
Professor Zhang stressed that these principles need to be put into practice through three steps:
1. Pre-deployment Ethical Review: Independent third-party audits are necessary before AI products are released.
2. Legal and Regulatory Frameworks: Clear laws and regulations must define the limits of AI use.
3. Inherent Design: Protection features must be built into the technology from the start.
Finally, he summarized three key words to remember:
- Responsibility: Humans must be responsible for critical decisions; algorithms should be accountable.
- Human Agency: You control your body, data, and life.
- Caring Foundations: Technology should not diminish human care; it should enhance it.
Conclusion:
The tide of AI is unstoppable, but the value of humanity should not be diluted. Protecting human dignity means ensuring that technology uses its power responsibly, allowing us to maintain our dignity, autonomy, and warmth as individuals.