Rethinking peace and coexistence in the AI age

Rafael Hernández de Santiago

March 13, 2025 23:20

The dawn of a new year is often accompanied by resolutions, promises, and, let us face it, a generous helping of naive optimism. We set out to eat healthier, exercise more, or save money, only to find ourselves devouring pizza by February.

But perhaps as springtime approaches, humanity as a whole could make a belated resolution: To rethink coexistence and strive for a new era of peace. Nowhere is this call more urgent than in the Middle East, a region whose skies often echo with the sounds of war rather than laughter.

But let us be honest: It is 2025, and while some of us are debating the merits of pineapple on pizza, others are debating borders, religions and histories that stretch back thousands of years. If we are to find a way forward, it is time to rethink what coexistence truly means — not as a utopian ideal, but as a practical necessity.

Philosophers have long grappled with the challenges of human conflict. Immanuel Kant, in his essay Perpetual Peace, argued that lasting peace could only emerge from a foundation of mutual respect and legal frameworks that transcend individual nations. Sounds great, right? Yet, here we are, centuries later, with international laws that are ignored more often than New Year’s gym memberships.

Irony aside, Kant’s ideas remain relevant. The conflicts in the Middle East highlight the failure of both international governance and localized empathy. While governments sign treaties they do not intend to honor, children hold onto fading memories of safety. “We can never obtain peace in the outer world until we make peace with ourselves,” said the Dalai Lama. Yet, it seems humanity’s inner turmoil spills over into policies and actions, creating external chaos.

And yet, philosophers also remind us of our potential. Martin Buber’s concept of the “I-Thou” relationship emphasizes seeing others as ends in themselves rather than means to an end. What if this profound principle could guide geopolitics? Imagine a world where nations treated one another not as rivals or pawns, but as partners in a shared human story. Admittedly, this might sound like the plot of a science fiction film, but every revolution — industrial, social, or ideological — began as a wild idea.

Imagine leveraging artificial intelligence to create platforms that facilitate genuine dialogue between conflicting groups.

Rafael Hernandez de Santiago

Enter technology — the double-edged sword of the modern age. While it has amplified voices, connected minds, and enabled innovation, it has also been wielded as a weapon in both literal and figurative senses. Yet, within this paradox lies a unique opportunity to rethink coexistence.

Imagine leveraging artificial intelligence to create platforms that facilitate genuine dialogue between conflicting groups. AI could analyze speech patterns, cultural nuances, and historical grievances to foster understanding rather than deepen divides. In the spirit of ironic optimism, let us hope it does not malfunction and spark a virtual war instead.

Moreover, technology can offer new tools for transparency and accountability. Blockchain — a buzzword often associated with cryptocurrencies and get-rich-quick schemes — can be a powerful ally for peace. Smart contracts could ensure that aid reaches its intended recipients, while decentralized systems could make human rights abuses harder to conceal.

Of course, no technological advancement can substitute for the human will to change. As Albert Camus wrote: “Peace is the only battle worth waging.” The Middle East’s troubles — and, indeed, those of the wider world — are deeply rooted in identities, memories, and narratives. Rethinking coexistence requires us to confront these with humility and courage.

Let us embrace the irony that hope often emerges from despair. The conflicts in Gaza, Yemen, and beyond are not just crises; they are opportunities to rethink our approach to coexistence. They challenge us to go beyond slogans and resolutions, to actively build bridges where walls once stood.

Let us draw on the wisdom of philosophers, the potential of technology, and the strength of the human spirit to craft a new narrative — one where coexistence is not merely an abstract idea but a lived reality.

And if all else fails, let us at least agree on the one universal truth — pineapple has no place on pizza. Peace may take time, but some battles — culinary or otherwise — are worth fighting.

• Rafael Hernandez de Santiago, viscount of Espes, is a Spanish national residing in Saudi Arabia and working at the Gulf Research Center.