As artificial intelligence (AI) is increasingly present in all aspects of life, the celebration of “Artificial Intelligence Appreciation Day”, which takes place on July 16, has sparked controversy about whether it makes sense to dedicate a day to celebrating technology that has become part of daily life but also comes with challenges and concerns.

Critics argue that this event is no different from other symbolic marketing days such as National Sausage Day or Donut Day, except that it seeks to give AI an exceptional status by considering it, according to its organizers, “the most influential technology in human history.”

While acknowledging the significant role played by AI technologies in developing sectors such as health, education, industry and media, many believe that this impact, while important, does not justify dedicating a day to celebrating it, especially given the ongoing debate about its effects on jobs, privacy and human creativity.

The event’s organizers suggest several ways of celebrating, including thanking developers and engineers working in AI, encouraging discussion about technology with children or those hesitant to adopt it, and signing a pledge to support its use by including the event in the annual calendar.

However, these calls have been met with criticism from some writers and tech enthusiasts who believe that true appreciation should be directed towards humans themselves rather than the tools they create.

An Opportunity

They emphasize that July 16 can be an opportunity to support local artists and artisans by purchasing their work, or spending time in nature, or meeting friends and family away from screens and chatbots. They believe these human experiences are more valuable and worthy of celebration than dedicating a day to technology, no matter how impactful it is.

With the rapid expansion of artificial intelligence across various sectors, the question remains: Does technology deserve a global day of celebration, or should humans always be the focus of appreciation?