Artificial Intelligence (AI) has become a pervasive topic of discussion in our lives recently. If you turn on the radio, watch the news or even just open your phone, you are bound to see something related to AI and its impact on our world. For many people, this has created a sense of unease and worry that feels difficult to manage. 

‍

What is AI Anxiety?

AI anxiety is persistent fear or worry about the impact of AI on our lives and on the world around us. This can look different for everyone but a few things to look out for include: a sense of impending danger, panic, or doom, feeling more on edge than usual, excessive worry, difficulty concentrating, restlessness, frequent nausea, trouble falling asleep or staying asleep, or muscle tension. These anxiety symptoms may come up after being exposed to more information about artificial intelligence or when thinking about the potential impacts of it on yourself or others. 

‍

Why is AI anxiety coming up for so many people?

Anxiety often presents when situations are or feel outside of your control. The growing concerns about AI such as environmental impacts, human rights violations, changes to the workforce, privacy, misinformation, and the possibility of AI becoming increasingly integrated into our everyday lives, can leave you feeling uncertain about what the future may look like. 

The development of AI is moving quickly and with rapid change can come increasing uncertainty. You may find yourself thinking more about the future as you consider questions like “How will this impact the future of my job?” or “What does this mean for my kids’ future?”. These kinds of forward thinking questions make sense to consider, however, if you find yourself constantly worrying about the answers and are having a difficult time staying present- you may be dealing with AI anxiety. 

Constant exposure to new information about AI can increase anxiety and make it harder to manage. For many, the exposure to the topic comes not only through the news and social media but is actively impacting their daily lives due to data centers being built close to their homes, resulting in things like unsafe drinking water and constant, disruptive noise. It is important to acknowledge that some of the concerns surrounding AI are connected to real-world issues that communities are already navigating. Managing your anxiety does not mean ignoring these concerns or pretending that they do not exist. Instead, it can mean finding ways to stay informed and engaged without allowing the uncertainty to consume you.

‍

How can AI anxiety be managed?

With big issues like AI, it can feel hopeless to think about managing the anxiety that comes up because the situation is so far outside of our control. To some degree, feeling anxious around topics like this is normal as the threats that exist are very real and the real world impacts are already being felt by many. While there may not be an immediate solution right now, there are some things you can do to take care of yourself and others as we all navigate this for the first time. 

1. Boundaries

Because this has become such a major topic in our world, it can be difficult to hold boundaries around AI. However, it can be helpful to set parameters around when and how you engage with news and social media related to AI. This can look like choosing a specific time to check the news instead of continuously looking for updates throughout the day or taking breaks from social media when anxiety feels higher. This allows you to stay informed while allowing yourself to recover from the constant exposure to information.

2. Mindfulness

Thinking about the future constantly can take you out of the present moment and increase your anxiety. Bringing yourself back to what is happening in your immediate environment can be one way to reduce worry and keep yourself grounded. Mindfulness does not mean ignoring the concerns you have about AI, however, it can create some space between anxious thoughts and how you react to them. 

3. Coping Skills

It may seem a little bleak to think about using standard coping strategies for an issue that frankly feels beyond what they were designed to address. However, that does not mean that these coping skills are useless. It may just change the way you think about them. These are tools that are there to keep you grounded while acknowledging that your concerns are real and that there are larger issues at play. They may not change the circumstances that are causing your anxiety, but they can help you take care of yourself while navigating them. Here are a few coping skills that may be helpful to try: 

• TIPP Skills: TIPP stands for Temperature, Intense Exercise, Paced Breathing, and Progressive Muscle Relaxation. These skills can help you regulate intense emotions and reduce anxiety. 
• Progressive Muscle Relaxation: This can be a useful skill to use for reducing tension in your body and bringing awareness to where you may be holding stress. 
• Grounding Techniques: By grounding yourself in the present moment, you can shift your attention away from anxious thoughts and refocus on what is happening around you. 

4. Focus on what you can control

You may not be able to control if AI is going to take your job in the future or if leaders in the industry are going to regulate its growth. However, you can advocate for yourself and your community through calling your local and state representatives to let them know how you feel about data centers being built in your area. You can also attend community meetings, support organizations doing work around these issues, or find other ways to get involved in your community.

If you are worried about the impacts of AI, you can also make choices about how you personally engage with the technology. You can refrain from using it yourself and educate those around you about your concerns. You do not have to personally solve the issue at large in order to make values-aligned choices. Focusing on what is inside of your control can give you a sense of agency and help you direct your energy toward actions that align with your values. 

5. Seek professional support

There may be times when you need extra support outside of what you currently have in your life. Seeking support from a licensed therapist can give you space to talk through your worries and explore ways to manage anxiety when things feel overwhelming to deal with on your own. 

‍

Conclusion

We are living in uncertain times, and much of this is outside of our control. It can often feel difficult to manage AI-related anxiety when the concerns you have are valid and connected to real-world changes that are happening daily. You do not have to ignore your concerns or pretend that everything is okay in order to take care of yourself. It’s okay to acknowledge your worries, frustrations, and fears about the future while doing what you need to take care of yourself and others. You may not be able to control what happens with AI, but you can decide how you want to engage with it, what boundaries you want to set, and what actions align with your values.