On the relevance of Maslow's need theory in the age of artificial intelligence

Christian Montag; A. Mehdi Riazi; George Mikros; Benjamin Becker; Raian Ali

doi:10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124222

On the relevance of Maslow's need theory in the age of artificial intelligence

Christian Montag
, A. Mehdi Riazi
, George Mikros
, Benjamin Becker
, Raian Ali

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being felt in societies worldwide and is increasingly affecting all aspects of our daily lives. This paper discusses how AI can foster or hinder human well-being. In detail, we adopt Maslow's classic theory on human needs to take a human-centered focus and discuss how this theory can guide the creation and governance of AI systems promoting human well-being. In addition, the present work explores the concept of humanity and being human in the age of AI and the challenges humans may encounter in the next decades.

Original language	English
Article number	124222
Journal	Technological Forecasting and Social Change
Volume	219
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124222
Publication status	Published - 21 Jun 2025

Keywords

Artificial intelligence
Human needs
IMPACT-framework
Maslow
Personality
Self-determination-theory

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10.1016/j.techfore.2025.124222

Cite this

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title = "On the relevance of Maslow's need theory in the age of artificial intelligence",

abstract = "The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being felt in societies worldwide and is increasingly affecting all aspects of our daily lives. This paper discusses how AI can foster or hinder human well-being. In detail, we adopt Maslow's classic theory on human needs to take a human-centered focus and discuss how this theory can guide the creation and governance of AI systems promoting human well-being. In addition, the present work explores the concept of humanity and being human in the age of AI and the challenges humans may encounter in the next decades.",

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AU - Mikros, George

AU - Becker, Benjamin

AU - Ali, Raian

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AB - The impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) is being felt in societies worldwide and is increasingly affecting all aspects of our daily lives. This paper discusses how AI can foster or hinder human well-being. In detail, we adopt Maslow's classic theory on human needs to take a human-centered focus and discuss how this theory can guide the creation and governance of AI systems promoting human well-being. In addition, the present work explores the concept of humanity and being human in the age of AI and the challenges humans may encounter in the next decades.

KW - Artificial intelligence

KW - Human needs

KW - IMPACT-framework

KW - Maslow

KW - Personality

KW - Self-determination-theory

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M1 - 124222

ER -

On the relevance of Maslow's need theory in the age of artificial intelligence

Abstract

Keywords

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