Happiness is an elusive experience. Awareness of the aspects that matter to us, offline can help us ... [+] curate happiness in a hybrid world, for ourselves and others.gettyAs we commemorate the International Day of Happiness 2025, we find ourselves at an intriguing crossroads. Artificial intelligence has begun to infuse ever more arenas of being and becoming human, permeating everything from work to relationships. This begs the question: in this age of accelerating technological advancement, is AI a potential pathway to greater human happiness, or is it taking us further away?The pursuit of happiness has been a central theme of human existence since the dawn of civilization. Yet, happiness remains notoriously elusive, a fluid state in a world defined by constant change. Neither we as individuals nor the society we constitute are fixed, ever. The ancient Greek philosopher Heraclitus observed, "No man ever steps in the same river twice," a metaphor for the ever-shifting nature of life and happiness. It's not an asset to be acquired but rather a dynamic process to be navigated.Are You happy? Throughout history, humanity has explored diverse avenues for lasting well-being covering a spectrum of perspectives.Hedonism, championed by figures like Aristippus, equated happiness with the maximization of pleasure and the minimization of pain. While intuitively appealing, this pursuit of sensory gratification often proves fleeting and can lead to what some call the "hedonic treadmill."Eudaimonia, in contrast, pursued by Plato emphasized the fulfillment of one's inner potential and the pursuit of virtue. This concept, detailed in his Nicomachean Ethics, links happiness to living a meaningful life in accordance with reason.The Stoics, such as Seneca and Epictetus, proposed that true happiness lies in acceptance, inner peace, and living in accordance with nature. They advocated for detachment from external circumstances and focusing on what is within our control.In Buddhism, happiness equates freedom from suffering, or Nirvana, which is achieved by understanding and ending the cycle of attachment and craving, which are seen as the root causes of suffering. The quest is to let go not only for the things we desire, but desire itself.Beyond Philosophy To PracticeBeyond these philosophical schools, happiness has been historically associated with power and possessions. The accumulation of political, social, or economic power has often been seen as a means to control one's environment and achieve desired outcomes, theoretically leading to happiness. Yet, an increase in status, fame, or money does not automatically correlate with an increase in happiness.It is also helpful to remember that individuals from different countries and cultures regard, seek after, and define happiness differently. For example, citizens of the United States tend to relate happiness to personal achievements, feelings of elation and excitement, success, and freedom, while many Asian cultures equate happiness with social harmony, moderation, good luck, personal relationships, and feelings of calm and relaxationHappiness From The Inside Out, Or Vice-Versa?The world has enough resources to achieve freedom from material want, but we never seized the opportunity to translate that potential into practice. Unfortunately, to quote Gandhi, there is enough for everyones needs, yet never enough for everyones greedArticulated in Franklin D. Roosevelt's Four Freedoms speech on freedom from want, could be seen as a contemporary political interpretation of the pursuit of happiness. It suggests that providing individuals with the basic necessities of life food, shelter, security is a fundamental step towards enabling them to pursue happiness themselves. It is an approach that is incomplete by leaving aside the immaterial features of wellbeing, yet offers a path to increase the quality of life for billions. It may seem naive or idealistic to do good for others. Yet in an interconnected world it is a win-win-win-win; for the person who benefits directly, the one who is taking action, the community both evolve in, and the society they are part of.To thrive in an interconnected world requires we develop a holistic understanding of self and society. This becomes more pressing in a hybrid society where physical distances, borders and cultures enter a virtual melting pot. True happiness cannot be achieved in isolation. It requires recognizing our interconnectedness with others and the world around us. This is where the multidimensional influence of AI comes into play.The Multidimensional Impact Of AIAI is no longer a futuristic fantasy. In high and middle-income countries, it's a reality that touches nearly every aspect of life, whether we know it or not.AI algorithms curate the information we consume, shaping our perceptions of the world.AI-powered tools are transforming industries, impacting our economic well-being and the nature of work.AI is changing the scope and nature of education, making personalized learning possible everywhere, anytime.AI is even entering the realm of human relationships with the rise of virtual assistants and social robots.This pervasive influence raises uncomfortable questions about its impact on our happiness.Can AI enhance our well-being by automating mundane tasks, freeing time for more meaningful pursuits?Does it diminish our sense of agency and connection, leading to a more superficial and ultimately less fulfilling existence?Do algorithm-curated realities limit our exposure to diverse perspectives, hindering our personal growth and societal progress?Are we willingly delegating tasks that are part of our identity to our AI assistants?The answers to these questions are not straightforward and might differ from person to person. The impact of AI on our happiness will depend on how we develop and deploy our expanding artificial assets.Takeaway: 4 As To Navigate AI And HappinessTo explore this complex landscape with serenity, four principles are helpful:Awareness: Identify what makes you happy. Cultivate a critical understanding of how AI is influencing your life. Recognize the algorithms that shape your information consumption, the AI-powered tools that impact your work, and how AI affects your relationships.Appreciation: Value the unique capabilities of both human and artificial intelligence. Appreciate AI's efficiency and problem-solving power, but recognize the irreplaceable role of human compassion, creativity, and critical thinking in pursuing happiness.Acceptance: Embrace the reality of change and the ongoing evolution of technology. Accept that AI will continue to transform our world, and focus on adapting to these changes in a way that promotes your well-being.Accountability: Take responsibility for how you use AI and advocate for its ethical development and deployment. Hold yourself and others accountable for ensuring that AI serves humanity's best interests and contributes to a more just and fulfilling world.By embracing these principles, we can harness the potential of AI to enhance our lives and move closer to a more genuine and sustainable form of happiness. Maybe this World Happiness Day is an invitation to configure a glocal approach to happiness, in which everyone gets a fair chance to thrive free from material want, equipped to harness AI as a catalyst of their own best self. Can we commit to a hybrid future where technology empowers us to flourish locally as individuals and as a global community?