Dignity is both self-esteem and esteem from others.gettyIn researching dignity in the age of AI, I almost overlooked the people who exhibit it every day in front of me.My hypothesis is that peoples sense of self-worth might be undermined as artificial intelligence outperforms them in several cognitive skills. The solution might lie in a recalibration of peoples aspirations to focus on the skills of human connection and constructive skepticism. The projects next stage requires a deep and wide review of the literature on self-esteem and technology adoption.One of my current students, Tanya Keyur Desai, asked to help. She has already done some good work researching and writing. Here is her summary of two definitions: When we think about dignity, its about more than just self-perception and worth. Its about the fundamental value we place on ourselves and others. The renowned German philosopher, Immanuel Kant, called dignity the most fundamental and absolute value central to our very being. For Kant, dignity was tied to the concept of autonomy, meaning our capacity for free will and self-determination. In essence, its about shaping our own lives and setting our own goals. Kant's philosophy underscores that every individual has intrinsic worth and deserves respect and dignity, not because of their achievements or virtues but simply because they are human. Donna Hicks, a conflict-resolution expert and professor, beautifully described dignity as "the glue that holds all of our relationships together." She highlights the mutual need for recognition, to be seen, heard, and treated fairly. According to Hicks, dignity is about feeling safe in the world, understood, and respected.Tanya is particularly interested in understanding and improving the dignity of women and people of color. She wrote: Studies across diverse countries, including Argentina, Fiji, India, Lebanon, South Korea, and the United States, have shown that African Americans often report higher levels of self-esteem compared to White Americans. This resilience is likely due to strong racial identity and coping mechanisms developed in response to societal challenges related to race. Racial discrimination in the workplace has significant negative impacts on an individual's self-esteem and overall well-being. Racial microaggressions, whether intentional or unintentional, can result in reduced well-being, job satisfaction, and career advancement.In another portion of her essay to me, she wrote: Welcome to the world of Imposter Syndrome, a phenomenon thats becoming increasingly common, overshadowing countless professional achievements. In our fast-paced, hyperconnected lives, the endless comparisons to others can erode our sense of self-worth. The constant craving for external affirmationwhether through social media "likes" or praise from colleaguesfeeds a vicious cycle of doubt and insecurity. Imposter Syndrome doesnt just chip away at personal confidence; it can significantly impact workplace success.While she is not banging on a pulpit, I cannot help but assume that she is talking from more than a small portion of her personal experience. She is physically small (at least compared to me) with dark skin typical of her native India. She is quiet and calm, which might lead bystanders to assume that she is not wise or ambitious. This would be an entirely false assumption. From my experience as one of her professors, I can see that she is smart and accomplished her Masters degree in Marketing Analytics from Hult in San Francisco rests on top of a Masters degree in Neuroscience and a Bachelors degree in Chemistry. Her insights in class are concise, cogent, and nuanced. Her offer to help me conduct research was a gift without strings that was sure to accelerate my project.And then I read the following paragraph in her draft: In schools, workplaces, and communities, dignity can be affirmed when the value of a person is recognized, validated, and honored. Conversely, dignity can be understood in terms of its absencethe treatment and experiences that lead to feelings of indignity. For instance, experiences with dismissiveness, minimization, humiliation, shame, powerlessness, disrespect, denigration, mistreatment, abuse, dehumanization, defenselessness, or insecurity can all undermine a sense of dignity and self-worth in individuals and groups.It took four readings of this paragraph for the bulb in my brain to finally light up. My academic research will hopefully be impactful to improve the dignity of future generations of AI users and providers. Yet, I can act right now to recognize, validate, and honor a persons dignity and the dignity of hundreds of her peers by publishing this article. In other words, I can achieve part of my goal here.Tanya Desai has already changed our school, workplace, and community to advance her own, her peers, and my capacity for self-determination. She is powerful and, just as importantly, empowering. She helps me achieve my goal as a teacher to improve my students' self-esteem.To Tanya and all of my students at Hult and Harvard, I recognize and appreciate the energy, intelligence, and effort you bring to your education to improve your impact and change the world. From where I stand, you are already fulfilling this ambition. And I am grateful to watch and, if Im lucky, participate in this growth of dignity.P.S. Tanya, my reply to your draft will require more time, reading, conversation, and reflection before we advance to the next step. Sorry for the delay.