While artificial intelligence (AI) is undeniably impressive, it’s important to remember that there are specific tasks and aspects of human cognition that AI will always struggle with. Our unique abilities, honed over centuries of evolution, are something to be proud of. Below are some things that AI can’t do or has limitations in, highlighting the unique capabilities of human cognition.

Can AI Perform Common-Sense Reasoning? Some may argue that Artificial Intelligence can perform common sense better than a person. In terms of performing computations and mathematical operations, AI may outperform someone. However, artificial intelligence will never match the human mind in real-life situations. AI often needs the inherent understanding of common sense humans possess, which usually requires extreme machines and resources. While AI models can perform complex tasks, they may need help with basic reasoning humans find intuitive. Our world is so complex and vast. Our ability to think and reason beyond our imagination is also enormous and complex. As a result, our common sense and ability to think outside the box have no limit. We can judge, reason, and see things in ways no machine can ever accomplish.  

Can AI Show Creativity And Originality? While AI can generate content based on patterns and data it has been trained on, genuine creativity, innovation, and original thinking are still primarily human traits. No other creature can think in the same capacity as us. We are pretty familiar with this famous bible verse, “As a man thinks it, so is he.” This biblical passage signifies that the human mind is not limited to what it can do. We live in a time when men could travel to space, such as Mars, the moon, etc. High-speed internet is nothing these days. Flat-screen TVs are cheaper and more efficient than ever before. Our cars and phones are sophisticated and designed with the latest technologies. The list of our advancements and success across every aspect of life is only due to our capacity to think creatively and work collaboratively to solve every challenge we encounter over centuries. And our world will continue to change for the better or worse. To speak of what we can and will accomplish in the next 50 or 60 years is simply an understatement. Because our ability to think, create, or innovate is constantly changing and growing. The more intelligent we become, the more our entire being changes and becomes more complex. For that reason, humanoid robots and AI machines will never be a match for the human race.  

AI Does Not Have Emotions Or Truly Feel Others The Same Way A Human Can. Understanding and responding appropriately to human emotions is challenging for AI. Our emotions, whether from joy or challenges, are a testament to the depth of our human experience. We build genuine relationships and demonstrate love to the extreme. Some of us are called heroes; others are treated as legends because we can do things no one else can. We can die for others because there are instances when we believe that’s the right thing to do. And no one has to tell us when or how to do these things. Besides making great sacrifices for the ones we love, we sing and dance with passion. We eat and laugh with each other because of how we feel emotionally about them, our environments, and our relationships. We develop emotional bonds with other creatures, such as dogs, cats, and so forth, all because we are naturally emotional beings. Thus, Ameca or any other intelligent machine can never be in someone else’s shoes. 

AI Cannot Make Ethical Decision As We Can. AI lacks a moral compass and cannot make ethical decisions independently. It operates based on algorithms and data, and ethical considerations need to be explicitly programmed by humans. The more complex the situation, the more ethical judgment or decision it requires. There are moments when even the most intelligent person on Earth will make a mistake or make the wrong decision. Making moral decisions requires several human characteristics that AI will never possess, such as integrity, divine understanding, and honesty. Making the right choices can sometimes be challenging because of selfishness, stubbornness, and greed. Temptations are inevitable for many to resist. Only a person of character and integrity may decide to do the right thing, even in the face of death. Artificial intelligence machines or robots do not possess these qualities and thus are limited to such an extent.

Adaptability in Unfamiliar Situations Can Be A Challenge For AI? Artificial Intelligence models are trained on specific datasets. They may need help when faced with situations or data outside their training scope. Humans are generally more adaptable to novel and unexpected circumstances. Therefore, as our world evolves, AI will face tremendous challenges and require enormous attention and resources as we and our planet change. 

AI May Lack Physical Dexterity and Mobility Like Humans. AI, particularly language models like GPT-3, exists in a virtual space and does not have physical form or mobility. Tasks that require physical interaction with the environment, such as manual labor or delicate manipulation of objects, are beyond the scope of current AI capabilities. Excellent motor skills are everyone’s dream. Even some of the best athletes or Olympians in the world believe they have not yet reached their full potential and strive to become more elastic with better endurance and faster. Thus, it is nearly impossible for artificial intelligence or humanoid robots to possess better and faster motor skills than some of our top athletes. Many of us are considered talented and gifted due to our ability to do things that encompass the human mind. For these reasons, we will never consider AI as such, for these machines will always be limited.   

Will AI Ever Be Able To Make Subjective Judgments and Aesthetic Expressions? AI struggles to make subjective judgments, appreciate aesthetics or understand personal preferences as humans do. Artificial intelligence cannot evaluate art, music, or the subjective quality of experiences to the extent that a person can. Although AI can be mighty and do amazing things, it cannot make assumptions or interpretations based on personal opinions, feelings, or tastes. Though artificial intelligence can assist us in selecting a picture for a dating site or help us with other tasks, AI would not be much of a helper when it comes to knowing a person’s character, manors, and ambitions. Only the human race can feel indescribable chemistry or love for someone else despite the person’s shape, height, size, ethnicity, or intellect. Thus, as much as we may love AI, it is bound by extreme limitations and will always be inferior to humans. 

No Self-awareness and Consciousness: AI lacks self-awareness and consciousness. While it can process information and generate responses, it needs accurate self-awareness and understanding of its existence.

Self-awareness and consciousness are closely related but distinct concepts in philosophy, psychology, and neuroscience. While both pertain to our mental experience and ability to reflect on the world and ourselves, experts distinguish between them based on the nature of the awareness and the level of complexity involved.

Consciousness refers to being aware of and able to perceive one’s surroundings, thoughts, and emotions. It’s a broad term encompassing the entire spectrum of mental experiences, including sensory perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and the awareness of one’s existence. Consciousness allows us to have subjective experiences and is sometimes described as phenomenal consciousness (the “what it is like” quality of experience). Some key features of consciousness include:

• Awareness of the external world (sensory perception, environment).
• Awareness of internal states (thoughts, feelings, desires).
• The ability to experience and interpret sensory input.
• It includes wakeful and altered states (such as dreams or meditative states).

In modern neuroscience, consciousness is often linked to specific brain networks, particularly the global workspace theory. This theory posits that consciousness arises when information is globally available to a network of brain regions, allowing for integration and processing.
Self-awareness, on the other hand, is a more specific form of consciousness. It refers to the ability to recognize oneself as distinct from others to reflect on one’s thoughts, behaviors, and experiences. It’s the awareness of one’s identity, mental and emotional states, and how others perceive one. Self-awareness involves metacognition (thinking about one’s thinking) and is often considered a higher-order cognitive ability. Thus, because AI lacks many mental states, it will always be incapable of operating at the same mental capacity as humans. Here are some key features of self-awareness that limit IA in many ways:

• Recognition of oneself as a distinct entity (e.g., recognizing oneself in a mirror).
• The ability to reflect on one’s mental and emotional states (e.g., recognizing when one is angry or happy).
• The capacity for introspection and self-reflection (thinking about one’s thoughts, past actions, and future intentions).
• It includes more advanced aspects such as understanding one’s role in society, considering the long-term consequences of one’s actions, and having a concept of self over time (past, present, and future).

Self-awareness is often seen as a developmental milestone in humans and is generally considered more complex than fundamental consciousness. Thus, artificial intelligence machines or computers will always have some limitations. Humans will always be superior with the power of achieving far more great things and AI. 

AI Also Lack Initiative and Intrinsic Motivation: AI operates based on predefined goals and objectives set by humans. It lacks intrinsic motivation and initiative, which are essential aspects of human behavior. Though they have distinct definitions and implications, initiative and inherent motivation are closely related concepts, particularly regarding personal growth, productivity, and performance.

Initiative refers to the ability and willingness to take action, often without being prompted or directed. It involves proactively starting tasks, making decisions, and taking responsibility without waiting for external instructions or guidance. People who demonstrate initiative typically show:

• Self-direction: They take charge of their actions and don’t need constant supervision or encouragement.
• Problem-solving: They look for solutions to challenges independently, without waiting for others to intervene.
• Innovation: They may bring new ideas or ways of doing things, showing creativity and foresight.

Initiative characteristics are crucial for leadership, entrepreneurship, and any situation requiring self-starting behaviors. Though AI may be advanced, it will always lack initiative compared to a natural person.

Furthermore, intrinsic motivation refers to engaging in an activity because it is inherently interesting, enjoyable, or satisfying rather than for some external reward or pressure. In other words, intrinsically motivated people do something because they find the activity itself rewarding rather than doing it for a payoff like money, praise, or recognition. Critical characteristics of intrinsic motivation include:

• Passion: The individual finds the task inherently enjoyable or fulfilling.
• Autonomy: They feel a sense of control and choice in the activity, which enhances satisfaction.
• Mastery: People may also be intrinsically motivated to improve their skills or abilities in a particular area.

Examples of intrinsic motivation include a musician practicing an instrument because they love creating music or an athlete running simply because they enjoy the challenge of improving their physical performance. Because AI is not like a human being who can controls himself or herself without the assistance of others, it will never seek to pursue activities that bring forth joy, happiness, and satisfaction. AI does not even comprehend what happiness and joy mean and never will. 

Last But Not Least, AI Does Need a Deep Understanding of Context. AI may need a deeper understanding of the context in which information is presented. On the other hand, humans can grasp context, nuances, and subtle cues that are challenging for AI to comprehend fully. It’s important to note that AI is continually evolving, and researchers are actively working on addressing these limitations. However, achieving parity with human capabilities in certain areas remains a significant challenge. 

In conclusion, AI has made remarkable advancements but still faces significant limitations. It needs more genuine understanding, creativity, and emotional intelligence, often relying on patterns and data rather than valid reasoning or intuition. AI cannot replicate human experiences, empathy, or moral judgment, and it struggles with tasks requiring deep contextual awareness or complex, abstract thinking. Additionally, AI systems depend on the data they’re trained on, meaning they can perpetuate biases or make errors in unfamiliar situations. These limitations highlight that while AI can enhance human capabilities, it is not a substitute for human ingenuity, emotional depth, or ethical reasoning.