How Do Human Beings Stay Relevant in an AI-Fueled Future?

Psychology Today

by Grant Hilary Brenner MD, DFAPA

February 26, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

The rise of artificial intelligence (AI) has sparked concerns about its impact on human relevance, particularly in fields like health and mental health. While AI poses significant challenges—such as job displacement and ethical dilemmas—the real danger lies in losing sight of our unique human qualities that make us indispensable. The article explores how humans can remain vital in an AI-driven world by leveraging our creativity, imagination, and ability to assign meaning, which are areas where machines fall short. AI’s capabilities depend on human ingenuity, as every decision in its development stems from the human mind’s capacity for abstraction and innovation. Unlike machines, humans thrive in ambiguity and uncertainty, generating insights that go beyond mere pattern recognition. This ability to embrace contradictions and find creative solutions is a strength that AI cannot replicate. For instance, our capacity for "negative capability"—tolerating uncertainty without seeking immediate answers—fuels our unique problem-solving approaches. Moreover, humans provide the "why" behind AI’s "how." While AI excels at optimizing tasks based on given objectives, it lacks the ability to determine what those objectives should be. This role of defining purpose is inherently human and lies at the core of meaning-making. In health and mental health, this translates to understanding the nuances of patient needs, empathy, and context—areas where AI cannot replace human expertise. The article also highlights the importance of embodied creativity, which stems from our physical experiences and emotions. Humans generate novel ideas through lived experiences, interactions, and even unconscious processing—a process that goes beyond data-driven logic. This kind of creativity is essential for innovation in fields like mental health, where understanding complex human experiences requires more than algorithmic analysis. Ultimately, the key to staying relevant lies in embracing our strengths: imagination, empathy, and the ability to assign purpose. By recognizing these unique qualities, we can navigate an AI-driven world without losing our

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Originally published on Psychology Today on 2/26/2026