AI Doesn’t Have Values—But It Can Help Us Live Ours

Generative AI has rapidly become part of how many of us work, communicate, and make decisions. For professionals navigating complex environments—or working in a second language—tools like ChatGPT can help clarify our ideas and lighten the mental load. But beyond efficiency, there's a deeper question worth exploring:

Can AI help us live more fully in alignment with our values?

We each get a finite number of years on this planet. And every day, we face trade-offs: between tasks and reflection, between meetings and meaning, between urgency and intention. AI, when used thoughtfully, can help tip the balance back toward what matters.

Values in Action

Many of us use AI to streamline writing, manage repetitive tasks, and make complex decisions more manageable. But it also has the potential to support purpose-driven work—work that reflects who we are and what we stand for.

One helpful framework is the VIA Character Strengths, which highlights 24 universal human values. At different times, we may find different values coming to the forefront. In earlier seasons, love and compassion guided my path into psychology and public health. More recently, strengths like leadership, fairness, and critical thinking have shaped how I approach complex systems and teamwork.

These shifts are natural. Our values are not fixed. They evolve with context, responsibility, and lived experience. And all values—whether celebrated or quiet—are equally valid and essential.

AI can play a role in this journey. It can help communicate ideas clearly, reduce the burden of administrative tasks, and allow more space for work that reflects our values. For many, especially working parents and mission-driven professionals, that kind of support is deeply meaningful.

But Let’s Be Clear: AI Has No Values

AI does not care about justice, compassion, or humanity’s future. It doesn’t care at all. It operates based on patterns in the data it has been trained on. Its “voice” is a mirror of us—our writings, our decisions, our priorities.

This means we are responsible for shaping how AI is used and what it reflects. If we don’t consciously embed diverse, inclusive, and ethical values into our systems, we risk reinforcing narrow or even harmful ones.

The good news? Each of us can contribute. By using AI tools to express our values, prioritize meaningful work, and model ethical thinking, we influence how AI is used and understood in our communities.

Final Thought

AI isn’t just a shortcut. It’s a strategic tool for reclaiming time and focusing energy on what matters most. But it is only as purposeful as we make it. Used thoughtfully, it can help us not only articulate our values—but actually live them.

If you haven’t given much thought to your values, a great starting point is completing the VIA Survey of Character Strengths. It’s free and available at Authentic Happiness. The survey can help clarify what matters most to you, so you can make the most of the time and tools you have.

What values do you want to make more time for?