Artificial intelligence has quickly become one of today’s most valuable tools. From businesses, to classrooms, to startups, to communities, it’s obvious AI has changed our lives since its rapid rise just a few years ago.
Yet, even in the rush to continue adopting AI, oftentimes we forget where the true substance lies. While the technology itself is undeniably profound, it’s not always about the robot that makes the difference. In reality, it’s about the humans who make the technology work.
The conversation around AI often centers on speed and capability, where it has the capacity to generate reports in seconds, detect patterns that humans miss, and complete complex tasks that might otherwise seem impossible. But in the race to innovate, we sometimes lose sight of the fact that technology exists in societies, workplaces, and homes, where the consequences of its use are deeply human, rather than the other way around.
Why humans matter
Human-centered technology is important because it brings authenticity to the system. If AI is not intentionally designed with people at the center, we risk building tools that widen inequalities, reinforce biases, and erode trust.
For Nicolas Genest, CEO and Founder of CodeBoxx, that’s exactly why AI exists. He suggests modern technology is meant to bring truth back to the spotlight, and that means putting humans at the forefront of invention.
“When people talk about AI, they often forget the obvious—there are still humans behind it. I built CodeBoxx to bring that truth back into the spotlight. In Business, every algorithm, every product, every line of code must serve human curiosity, intent, and problem-solving. Like every other tech breakthrough we experienced, I believe AI was never meant to replace people—it’s here to amplify what we’re capable of. That’s the mission that drives me: keeping humanity at the center of every technology we create,” he says.
Real-time scenarios bring that argument to the spotlight. For instance, an AI system might be used for screening potential candidates, but if it’s trained on biased data, it can systematically disadvantage women or people of color. In the healthcare space, AI might be able to provide details about diseases, but without a physician’s oversight, a wrong diagnosis could cost an innocent life.
The truth is, what the stories show is that the promise of AI isn’t realized when the machine generates information alone. The real value comes when human intelligence can take control and remain the soul of decision-making, where AI is used as a resource to enhance but not dictate.
Recent data is also telling. A study from YouGov found that 65% of Americans have little trust in AI to make ethical decisions, while approximately 37% are concerned that AI could cause the end of the human race on Earth. As it shows, people do not want machines that operate unchecked. Rather, they want technology rooted in human morals, values, and compassion.
How to build a human-focused future
So, what does it look like to truly prioritize the people in the age of AI? It starts with this:
- Transparency: People need to know when and how AI is being used. Cookie-cutter systems that make biased decisions won’t benefit anyone.
- Responsibility: Humans must take technological responsibility. That means being able to fight back when the system computes wrong.
- Inclusion: Diverse voices must shape AI’s development. This could include bringing in technology experts, consumers, and leaders to add perspective to the system.
What the future holds
Everyday, the story of AI continues to be written. Like any powerful tool, AI helps the world go around. But without the people behind it, AI might not survive in this next decade of technology.
Now has never been a more perfect time to ensure we get this right. Because as AI moves at an alarming rate, soon enough humans might find themselves under serious trouble. But if humans can overcome this, our lives might just be that much simpler.
If you are a lover of AI, you might want to rethink your beliefs. Are you focused on the results it gives or the people who make it? If you answered the machine, it’s time to put the creators first.
