Humans Train AI, but Who Will Train Humans?

Every time I interact with artificial intelligence, I’m struck by the irony. Here we are, humans, meticulously training machines—feeding them data, tweaking their algorithms, correcting their errors—only to realize that we might be neglecting ourselves in the process. AI is evolving at a breakneck pace, and while we pride ourselves on being its creators, I can’t help but wonder: are we equipping ourselves to coexist with these technologies responsibly?

Let me explain what I mean.

The AI We Train

Artificial intelligence is like a toddler: curious, capable of learning, but utterly dependent on us for guidance. Whether it’s chatbots like ChatGPT or autonomous vehicles, the process is fundamentally the same. We humans define what AI should learn, pour in mountains of data, and constantly fine-tune it to perform better.

Think about it. Behind every smart AI tool you use—your Google Maps, your virtual assistant, even that eerily accurate shopping recommendation—there’s an entire team of humans training the system to work flawlessly. And yet, while AI gets smarter, the rest of us often feel left in the dust.

The Growing Gap

Here’s the problem: we’re so busy training AI that we forget to train ourselves. Sure, some people understand the inner workings of these systems—they build them, after all. But for the rest of us, AI is often a black box: mysterious, intimidating, and, frankly, confusing.

Take me, for example. I use AI tools every day to write, research, and organize my work. But when I first started, I had no idea what “machine learning” even meant. It felt like magic. And I’m not alone. Most of us are using AI without understanding how it works or, more importantly, how it might fail.

And this ignorance has real consequences.

Wake-Up Calls

I remember reading about a healthcare AI tool that was supposed to diagnose pneumonia from X-rays. Sounds incredible, right? Except it performed worse for patients from underrepresented groups because the training data didn’t account for them. That wasn’t the AI’s fault—it was ours.

Then there’s the workplace. AI tools like ChatGPT are everywhere now, but many of us aren’t trained to use them effectively. I’ve seen people either over-rely on these tools or avoid them altogether because they don’t know where to start. The result? Missed opportunities and unnecessary frustration.

And don’t even get me started on misinformation. Social media algorithms, driven by AI, amplify fake news every day because they’re trained to prioritize engagement, not truth. Meanwhile, most of us lack the critical skills to separate fact from fiction.

The Big Question: Who Trains Us?

So, who’s responsible for teaching us how to live in this AI-driven world? Honestly, it’s a shared responsibility.

1. Schools and Universities: Imagine if every student learned not just how to code but how to think critically about AI. What are its biases? What are its limits? It’s not just about creating AI developers—it’s about creating informed citizens.
2. Governments: Policies can make a huge difference. Look at Finland—they launched a free online course called “Elements of AI” to teach their population the basics. That’s leadership we need everywhere.
3. Tech Companies: Let’s face it: the companies building these tools have a duty to educate us. I’d love to see more transparency, like explaining how AI tools work and how to use them responsibly.
4. Individuals (Yes, You and Me): At the end of the day, we’re the ones who have to take charge of our own learning. Whether it’s reading articles, taking courses, or just asking questions, there’s so much we can do to catch up.

What We Really Need

But let’s go beyond the obvious solutions. I think the real problem isn’t just about learning technical skills—it’s about changing how we think.

• Critical Thinking: AI is great at giving us answers, but are we asking the right questions? Do we challenge the results we get?
• Ethics: Technology moves fast, but should we be using it for everything? Who decides what’s fair or ethical?
• Empathy: Machines can’t feel, and they never will. It’s up to us to double down on the human traits that make us irreplaceable—compassion, creativity, and connection.

The Future Is Shared

Here’s the thing: the future isn’t about humans vs. AI. It’s about humans and AI, working together. But that only works if we, the trainers of machines, take the time to train ourselves too.

So, the next time you marvel at what AI can do, take a moment to ask yourself: do I understand this? Am I ready for what comes next? Because if we don’t train ourselves, we might find ourselves outpaced by the very machines we’ve built.

Let’s not let that happen. After all, we’re still the ones in charge—for now.