by As I open the news app, I come across this astonishing title: “First human receives brain chip from Elon Musk’s Neuralink”.
Leaving aside all the jokes that come to my mind about microchipping humans through covid vaccinations, I get instantly drawn to the news. Mind you, my life-long passion for sci-fi might have played a role :), so I’m diving fast into the article. As I read the news, my shock grows exponentially as my mind scrolls way back, to a sci-fi book I read, “The Terminal Man”, that Michael Crichton – the only writer whose work I read in its entirety, several times 🙂 – wrote in 1972.
The similarities to the Neuralink’s procedures are uncanny.
First reaction – again my exposure to sci-fi is to blame – is the “man vs machine” scenario. The news about Neuralink’s breakthrough sparked a renewed contemplation of the AI dilemma. Time will tell, but I can confidently affirm that AI holds the potential to be a remarkable partner in our pursuit of well-being.
Although I would not advocate for AI as a confidante, however, AI has the ability to guide individuals towards deeper wisdom and awareness, akin to a guru’s role in dissipating the darkness of ignorance and helping us uncover our true selves.
Deepak Chopra, a renowned spiritual leader, has praised “Google Bard” as one of the most reliable free chatbots for offering accurate guidance on wisdom traditions teachings. Bard’s daily affirmations, meditations, visualization techniques, and access to diverse spiritual wisdom are just a few of the ways it can support personal growth.
That sounds amazing! A free resource that can guide you, step by step, without the “complications” of finding a mentor?
So I had to try it myself. I asked the Bard to develop a 7-Day plan, with daily guidance, centred on the goal of “boosting self confidence”, combining affirmations, meditations, visualisations, and wisdom from various sources.
It did that… and more! It started by reminding me that building confidence takes time and practice, to be kind to myself and celebrate my progress along the way. It developed the 7-Day wellness journey below:
Day 1: Embracing Your Worth
Day 2: Celebrating Your Achievements
Day 3: Stepping Outside Your Comfort Zone
Day 4: Cultivating Self-Compassion
Day 5: Connecting with Your Inner Strength
Day 6: Finding Joy in the Present
Day 7: Integrating and Moving Forward
Here is an abstract of one of the daily plan (Day 5):
Day 5: Connecting with Your Inner Strength
- Affirmation: “I am strong, capable, and resilient.”
- Meditation: Power meditation (focus on visualizing yourself drawing strength from within)
- Visualisation: Imagine yourself facing a difficult situation with confidence and determination. (Image: You standing strong against a storm or climbing a mountain)
- Wisdom: “The only journey is the journey within.” – Rainer Maria Rilke
- CBT: Identify your strengths and talents. Focus on activities where you feel strong and competent.
- Obstacle: Self-doubt. Solution: Remind yourself of past challenges you’ve overcome and use them as evidence of your strength.
- Inspiration: “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, ‘I will try again tomorrow.'” – Mary Anne Radmacher
Ok, you might say, but where does ART fit into this narrative of AI and well-being 🙂 ?
I asked “Google Bard” to display an artwork that embodies the message of faith in humanity. The chat bot presented Banksy’s iconic “Girl with Balloon,” a symbol of hope and compassion, despite the obvious message of fragility and transience ( = the balloon).
So here’s the artwork displayed by the chat bot. Spot on, don’t you think?
Photo Credit: Banksy – “Girl with Balloon” (Original mural on Waterloo Bridge in South Bank in 2004)
