I read the UN scientific panel report in my own words as a certified public psychologist

Whenever you see news about AI, does it make you feel a bit uneasy somewhere in your heart? When I learned that UN scientists had issued a warning that 'safety preparations are not keeping pace with the speed of AI development,' I honestly lost my words for a while in front of the screen. Perhaps convenience and the risk of leaving something important behind are two sides of the same coin. Even though I rely on AI in my daily work, I sometimes feel a small sense of discomfort in unexpected moments. Today, as a certified public psychologist, I would like to share in my own words how we might maintain a healthy distance from AI, based on what I felt while reading this report.

What the UN report quietly taught me

In July 2026, an independent scientific panel at the UN released the world's first scientific report on AI. It was compiled over three years by 40 scientists from around the world, keeping a distance from political and corporate interests to summarize the current state of AI.

I have narrowed down what this report conveys into three points from my perspective.

The first is the observation that society's preparations are not keeping up with the growth of AI's capabilities at all. The second is the fact that there is currently no guarantee that AI systems will reliably act according to our instructions. And the third is the perspective that this technology is a theme concerning our entire way of life, extending beyond just the economy and information to culture, individual emotional well-being, and the environment in which children grow up.

The UN Secretary-General also stated that this report is not a warning from activists, but the 'current state' that global science has finally caught up to and demonstrated. Reading this, I felt once again that the topic of AI is no longer just for engineers, but is also a matter of each of our own hearts.

Preliminary Report of the Independent International Scientific Panel on AI
https://www.un.org/independent-international-scientific-panel-ai/sites/default/files/2026-07/en_Preliminary%20Report_.pdf?utm_source

What I see as a psychologist: the space between AI and the heart

The more convenient a tool is, the more we tend to let go of things without realizing it. For example, the time spent searching for answers while feeling lost. While it may seem like a waste at first glance, it is actually time that nurtures the 'muscle of thinking for oneself.' If you ask AI a question, you get an answer in seconds. As we get used to that speed, we may gradually forget the trial and error involved in reaching an answer.

Furthermore, as our interactions with AI increase, the meaning of human interaction is also called into question. To use a ship as an analogy, AI is like a strong tailwind. You can reach your destination quickly, but if you keep moving with the wind, the sense of steering—of knowing which direction you wanted to go—becomes dull. I feel that kind of danger.

There is one more perspective I want to cherish. It is that I don't want you to view your anxiety about AI as a sign of 'weak willpower' or 'not keeping up with the times.' Rather, I believe that being able to notice that discomfort is proof that you are sensitively perceiving change. Anxiety is not a weakness; it is a sign that you are trying to face things properly. Instead of enduring it, I am reframing it positively as the gateway to a 'challenge' of taking on something new.

Three ways to protect your heart starting today

You don't need to do anything difficult. I would like to share three small adjustments that I personally keep in mind in my daily life.

The first is to intentionally create time where you do not use AI.Even if it is just a little time during the day, leave some time to think only with your own head or to work with your hands. This is like a little exercise to train your thinking ability.

The second is to use AI not as a 'partner to get answers from,' but as a 'partner to deepen your questions with.'Instead of accepting the answers that come out as they are, take a breath and ask yourself, 'Is that really true?' or 'What do I think about this?' Just doing that will change your relationship with AI significantly.

The third is to consciously increase the time you spend in human interaction a little more than before.AI gives us information efficiently, but it does not notice our facial expressions or the tremor in our voices, nor does it offer comfort. I believe that intentionally leaving time for things that cannot be measured by efficiency will be important in the coming era.

The UN report does not deny the potential of AI. In fact, it notes that if used well, it can be a force for good in health, education, and many aspects of life. That is precisely why I think we need ways to get along with it without leaving our hearts behind.

The slight discomfort or fatigue you feel toward AI is by no means strange. It is, in fact, an important sense for living your own life in the coming era. Please do not get too swept away by convenience, and try to listen to the voice of your own heart. You have the power to take back the helm with your own hands.

Thank you very much for staying with me until the end. I hope today's article serves as a trigger for you to think about your next steps starting tomorrow.

#HowToEngageWithAI #LicensedPsychologist #MentalHealth #UNAIReport #HabitsToCalmTheMind