The Mirror Test
From the Prelude of AI and the Art of Being Human
What it is
A three-question practice to help you understand what it means when AI seems to know you too well.
Where you would use it
When an AI completes your sentences perfectly
When a recommendation engine predicts exactly what you want
When AI generates something in your style that others can’t distinguish from your work
When you feel unsettled by how well technology “gets” you
The Tool
Three Questions to ask yourself
What did I just see?—Describe what the AI showed you about yourself, staying neutral and factual
What assumptions does this reveal?—Identify what the AI assumes about you based on its training and data
What remains uniquely mine?—Name the experiences, feelings, or qualities that can’t be captured by algorithms
How to use it
When AI surprises you by knowing something uncanny about you, pause immediately. Write out answers to all three questions, taking time with each. This builds awareness of both AI’s capabilities and your irreducible humanity.
See it in practice: When the Machine Wrote His Investor Update →