The audio for this interview is provided below.

This article is the first of three articles about the recent interview with Professor Michael Inzlicht of the University of Toronto. This article will focus Inzlicht’s research interests and how they intersect with human behavior, particularly in the realms of effort, leisure, and empathy in an increasingly AI-driven world. As the head of the Work and Play Lab, Inzlicht explores a wide range of topics, from motivation and self-control to recreational activities and empathy’s evolving role alongside artificial intelligence. His work provides a unique lens on human effort and how it manifests in both work and leisure, with fascinating implications for mental health and society at large.

The Duality of Effort in Work and Play

At the core of Inzlicht’s research is the concept of effort, which, as he describes, ‘is not merely a physical action but an intensification of mental processes in pursuit of a goal’. Effort is often accompanied by feelings of discomfort—clenched muscles, furrowed brows, and tight stomachs—that can make it feel undesirable. However, the same effort can also lead to positive outcomes, particularly when the effort is directed toward meaningful goals. This duality of effort—both its challenge and its reward—forms the foundation of much of Inslick’s research, particularly in understanding the relationship between effortful activities and mental health.

In the context of work, effort is commonly associated with tasks that require motivation and willpower to complete. People often push themselves to achieve work-related goals, even when the process is difficult. However, Inzlicht’s research extends beyond the realm of work to examine what people do in their leisure time. Leisure, traditionally thought of as relaxation or time away from work, is not devoid of effort. In fact, Inslick argues that effortful leisure—activities that require mental or physical exertion—may be more beneficial for mental health than passive leisure activities.

Effortful Leisure and Mental Health

One of the surprising findings from Inzlicht’s research is that effortful leisure—activities like solving puzzles, engaging in physical exercise, or learning new skills—has a more positive impact on mental health than passive leisure activities such as watching TV or scrolling through social media. This discovery challenges the conventional wisdom that relaxation and passive enjoyment are the best ways to unwind and recharge.

In his studies, Inzlicht found that people tend to describe effortful leisure activities as more meaningful and rewarding. While passive leisure may provide temporary pleasure, it lacks the deeper sense of accomplishment and personal growth that effortful leisure can offer. For instance, activities like solving Sudoku puzzles or learning a new language may require mental effort, but they provide a sense of challenge and fulfillment that contributes to overall well-being.

Interestingly, even activities that seem mundane, such as gardening or fixing things around the house, can fall into the category of effortful leisure if they require a certain level of exertion and focus. These activities, while not traditionally associated with relaxation, offer a sense of satisfaction that comes from completing a task and overcoming a challenge. This sense of productivity, even in leisure, appears to be a key factor in promoting mental health.

Empathy in an AI-Driven World

Beyond the realms of work and play, Inzlicht’s research also touches on empathy and its evolving role in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence. Empathy, traditionally viewed as a uniquely human trait, requires effort—it involves understanding and sharing the feelings of others, often requiring individuals to step outside their own perspectives. As AI continues to advance, there are growing questions about how empathy will be affected.

Inzlicht acknowledges that the intersection of empathy and AI is a relatively new area of inquiry for his lab, but it is one that holds significant promise. In a world where AI is increasingly used to simulate human interactions, there is concern that the ability to empathize may diminish. However, Inzlicht suggests that empathy, much like other forms of effort, can evolve in response to technological changes. Just as effortful leisure activities promote mental health, the effort required to practice empathy in an AI-driven world may offer new opportunities for personal and societal growth.

AI, with its potential to simulate human emotions and interactions, poses a unique challenge to the development and practice of empathy. Inzlicht’s research into this area seeks to understand whether AI can complement or even enhance human empathy, rather than diminish it. For instance, AI tools designed to assist with mental health care may help individuals become more empathetic by offering insights into the emotional states of others. However, there is also the risk that reliance on AI could lead to a decrease in human-to-human empathy if individuals begin to outsource emotional labor to machines.

Open Science and the Future of Research

Another important aspect of Inzlicht’s work is his commitment to open science. He strongly believes that scientific research should be transparent, accessible, and methodologically sound. In his view, the failings of science often stem from a lack of openness and transparency, which can lead to flawed research practices and unreliable results. By advocating for open science, Inslick aims to promote better research practices and ensure that the findings from his lab and others are both credible and reproducible.

Open science is not just a methodological concern for Inzlicht; it is a meta-pursuit that informs all aspects of his research. Whether studying effort, leisure, empathy, or AI, Inzlicht is committed to ensuring that his work is conducted in a way that is open to scrutiny and replication. This approach is particularly important in fields like psychology, where the replication crisis has raised concerns about the reliability of many published studies.

In conclusion, the nature of effort, leisure, empathy, and open science are challenged; traditional notions of leisure as relaxation are dominated by the benefits of effortful leisure for mental health in this interview. Moreover, exploration of empathy in an AI-driven world raises important questions about the future of human interaction and emotional understanding.