The article argues for the need to widen and deepen our understanding of humanity through the use of artificial intelligence (AI) as a means and not just an end-in-itself. It highlights the tendency for any advancement in AI to be perceived as a cheapening of human intellectual abilities and the need to avoid defensiveness against AI advancements. The article explores the mindset needed to engage with scientific and technological marvels of our time, using the example of Noam Chomsky and Logan Roy as a means to achieve a simple goal: taming AI hype and misinterpretation while simultaneously widening our understanding of humanity. The article concludes by locating the pursuit of AI and humanity in broader social and political contexts and emphasizing the need to bring the full artistic, philosophical, and scientific capabilities of humanity to bear on the challenge.

source update: A Human Perspective – Towards AI