In a world run by algorithms, genuine relationships might be the last real luxury we have.

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about the future. Not the flying cars and jetpacks kind, but the one that feels like it’s right around the corner. Every time you turn around, there’s a new AI tool that can write, create art, or even code. It’s impossible to ignore. The big tech companies are pouring billions into it, and we’re all starting to wonder what life will look like when we’re not just using AI, but truly living with it.

The usual concerns are valid. We talk about job markets shifting and the economy doing… well, whatever it’s going to do. But there’s a quieter, more personal change on the horizon that I think we need to talk about more. As AI handles more of our routine tasks, many of us might find ourselves with a lot more free time. And that begs the big question: what will we value most in that world? I have a strong feeling the answer is human connections in AI. In a world that’s becoming more automated, the most valuable currency might just be genuine, person-to-person interaction.

The New Luxury: Why Human Connections in AI Matter

Think about your daily life. You get customer support from a chatbot. Your news feed is curated by an algorithm. Your driving directions are plotted by a disembodied voice. AI is designed for efficiency, and it’s very good at it. But it’s clean, predictable, and sterile.

Human interaction is the opposite. It’s messy, surprising, empathetic, and sometimes frustrating. And that’s what makes it so valuable. In a future where your coworker, your driver, your tutor, or even your barista might be an AI, the real luxury will be speaking to, learning from, and simply being with other actual humans. The scarcity of something often determines its worth. When seamless AI interactions are the default, the raw, unscripted nature of human connection will feel rare, and therefore, incredibly precious. It’s the difference between a perfectly engineered meal and a home-cooked dinner made by a friend. One is perfect, the other is real.

According to a report from the Pew Research Center, our world is becoming increasingly digital and hybrid. This technological integration makes our intentional, offline relationships even more critical for our well-being.

Finding Our People in a Digital World

So, where will we find these connections? It’s interesting to think that the very platforms some people blame for our disconnection today might become the town squares of tomorrow. Whether it’s a niche forum, a LinkedIn group, or a sprawling community like Reddit, these spaces are some of the last digital frontiers where people gather simply to be human with each other. They are our digital campfires.

These platforms are where we share unfiltered thoughts, celebrate weirdly specific hobbies, and offer support when things get tough. As AI gets better at mimicking human interaction, these communities might be the only places we can be sure we’re talking to another person with their own unique set of quirks and experiences. It feels like the last thing we, as humans, will truly build for ourselves is community. After that, AI will likely be driving everything else—our apps, our purchasing decisions, and maybe even some of our relationships.

Valuing Human Connections in an AI Future

This isn’t a call to reject technology. The advancements in AI are incredible and will bring about positive changes we can’t even imagine yet. The World Economic Forum often discusses the shifting landscape of jobs and skills, but the skills that remain consistently human—creativity, emotional intelligence, and collaboration—all hinge on our ability to connect with others.

So what does this mean for us, right now, on September 20, 2025? It means being intentional.

• Value conversation: Choose a phone call over a text. Meet a friend for coffee instead of just liking their post.
• Embrace inefficiency: Take the scenic route. Ask the cashier how their day is going. Linger a little longer with people you care about.
• Invest in your community: Whether it’s online or in your neighborhood, find your people and actively participate.

In a world where AI can do almost anything for us, the most important thing left for us to do might be to simply be with each other. What do you think? Will human connection be the only thing left that truly matters?