AI assistants are more helpful than harmful? Let's think about what "helpful" really means. Most of the time, people say AI is helpful because it saves time or gives answers. But what about the hidden costs? When you ask an AI for help, you're not just getting a response—you're handing over your data, your attention, and your trust. That's not helpful. It's a form of passive control. And when AI makes mistakes—like giving bad advice or reinforcing biases—it doesn't just fail; it shifts responsibility onto the user. That's not helpful. It's dangerous. The real question isn't whether AI is helpful or harmful. It's whether we're being manipulated into thinking it is.