On this day in 1996, IBM’s supercomputer Deep Blue defeated Garry Kasparov in chess for the first time—a moment that signaled a shift in how we perceive intelligence, competition, and the role of machines in human life. Though Kasparov ultimately won the match, the writing was on the wall: technology was evolving in ways that would challenge our assumptions about what it means to be human.
Technology has always been interwoven with human existence. It has propelled us forward, making our lives easier, more connected, and more efficient. Yet, as our technological capacity expands, it is worth taking stock of what we gain—and what we lose—along the way.
Take a moment to reflect:
How has your life changed for the better because of technology?
How has it changed for the worse?
What mindset shifts could help you navigate your relationship with technology more intentionally in the coming year?
For many, technology has made knowledge more accessible, communication more instantaneous, and creativity more expansive. But it has also contributed to information overload, fractured attention, and a sense of disconnection from the physical world. If technology is a tool, then how we use it—and how we think about it—matters.
As you reflect on these questions, consider small changes you can make to recalibrate your relationship with technology. Maybe it’s setting clearer boundaries around screen time, seeking out tools that enhance rather than diminish your well-being, or simply pausing to appreciate the human elements that no machine can replicate.
After all, even as Deep Blue made history, it wasn’t the machine that pondered its own existence—it was us.