(Toronto, May 1, 2026) JMIR Publications released a thought-provoking new feature in its News and Perspectives section that examines the unprecedented speed of artificial intelligence (AI) evolution compared to the biological and intellectual limits of humanity. The article, " Immortal AI, Mortal Life: Long-Term Perspectives on AI and Human Knowledge ," authored by Hyunjin Shim, PhD, assistant professor at California State University, Fresno, warns that the rapid integration of AI may be creating monocultures of knowing that could stifle scientific creativity and innovation.
As a biologist and bioengineer, Dr. Shim highlights a fundamental asymmetry: while human knowledge must be painstakingly reset and relearned by every new generation through decades of education, AI systems possess a persistent, rapid, and cumulative memory that far outpaces organic evolution.
The Risk of Shiny Tool Diversion
The report raises concerns that the current "AI bubble" in academia and industry is diverting critical resources away from solving fundamental problems. Dr. Shim points to the crisis of antimicrobial resistance as a primary example.
Incentive Misalignment: While the most urgent need in antimicrobial resistance research is developing entirely new strategies to combat resistant bacteria, AI hype has funneled investment into high-throughput screening of traditional small molecules—chasing faster output rather than higher-reward, high-risk innovation.
Output Inflation: Dr. Shim warns that the ability of AI to maximize research volume may come at the cost of depth, intuition, and the strategic thinking required to tackle global public health threats.
Education in the Age of Cognitive Extension
The analysis also explores the inevitable but disruptive role of AI in higher education. As AI masters the core principles of traditional curricula in a fraction of the time it takes a human student, the report questions the sustainability of current educational timelines.
Authenticity vs. Efficiency: The uncertainty surrounding academic integrity is leading some educators to revert to analog assessments—like oral exams and handwritten essays—to ensure student learning is authentic.
Cultivating the Uniquely Human: Dr. Shim argues that education must shift from traditional knowledge transfer to cultivating capacities where AI falls short: thinking outside the box, identifying core problems, and developing interpersonal skills.
Preserving Human-Centered Knowledge
The feature concludes with a call to preserve human-centered pathways for knowledge generation. Dr. Shim emphasizes that relying too heavily on AI-generated patterns, which are essentially averages of existing big data, threatens the diversity of thought necessary for scientific breakthroughs. To ensure that human decisions continue to prioritize human values, higher education must ensure that human intelligence remains distinct from, and serves as an oversight to, AI systems.
Please cite as:
Shim H. Immortal AI, Mortal Life: Long-Term Perspectives on AI and Human Knowledge. J Med Internet Res 2026;28:e98707
URL: https://www.jmir.org/2026/1/e98707
DOI: 10.2196/98707
About JMIR Publications News and Perspectives
JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research. The News and Perspectives section is the newest addition to its portfolio, established to bring the rigor and integrity of academic publishing to scientific journalism. The section features well-researched, expert-driven content from the Scientific News Editor, Kayleigh-Ann Clegg, PhD, and a network of specialist JMIR Publications Correspondents to keep the digital health community informed, inspired, and ahead of the curve.
About JMIR Publications
JMIR Publications is a leading open access publisher of digital health research and a champion of open science. With a focus on author advocacy and research amplification, JMIR Publications partners with researchers to advance their careers and maximize the impact of their work. As a technology organization with publishing at its core, we provide innovative tools and resources that go beyond traditional publishing, supporting researchers at every step of the dissemination process. Our portfolio features a range of peer-reviewed journals, including the renowned Journal of Medical Internet Research.
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Immortal AI, Mortal Life: Long-Term Perspectives on AI and Human Knowledge
29-Apr-2026
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