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The first item of business is time for reflection, which will be led by Ailsa McMillan, who is a humanist celebrant from the Humanist Society Scotland.
Good afternoon, and thank you for inviting me.
“We listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know.”
My name is Ailsa McMillan and I am a humanist and a celebrant with the charity Humanist Society Scotland. Today, I invite you to take time to reflect on something that is deeply human: communication and storytelling. I opened with the words of the philosopher Carl Rogers. Their power and importance remain today. In a world in which technology is often the first thing that we access to provide answers, we are missing a trick and some joy.
We have all used technology to support professional and academic development, for banking and shopping or even to answer a question to which we should know the answer. Technology offers immense benefit, yet, more than anything, I value human connection. Artificial intelligence provides quick responses and outcomes, perfectly formed sentences and beautifully polished soundbites but not the delightful, messy and perfectly imperfect human responses. Connecting with people, hearing and sharing stories and valuing their being cannot be replaced by artificial intelligence. Reciprocity in communication is what makes it work. It brings us joy and enables us to share stories. That reciprocity is missing when we use technology to generate our responses.
In all our roles, we have the privilege of hearing stories, with each voice enriching the exquisite tapestry of humanity. When we create space for others’ voices, we create moments of kindness and connection. We can intentionally ask curious questions, take time to hear the answers and notice the person and the impact that our willingness to listen can have. Viewing AI through a person-centred lens is less likely to diminish employment opportunities or meaningful human occupation, and it will enable us to use it for good. To quote Dolly Parton, we can
“create a legacy that inspires others to dream more, learn more … and become more”.
I invite you to take a moment to reflect on the people and stories that bring you joy, the tacit feelings that you cannot articulate but experience because of human connection, a person trusting you with their story or a conversation that stays with you long after it has ended. Those things remind us that, despite the extraordinary application of technology, being human is the most potent force for change that we know.
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