Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs 2.0

In 1943, Abraham Maslow wrote a paper called “A Theory of Human Motivation.” It’s basically a pyramid that shows how our needs are arranged, with the most fundamental ones at the bottom and the fancy ones at the top.

So, what’s the deal with this pyramid?

It’s a theory that we’re all motivated to meet certain needs in a specific order. For example, we need to eat, sleep, and have a roof over our heads before we can worry about making friends, feeling good about ourselves, or actualizing our dreams.

Image source: https://www.simplypsychology.org/maslow

The levels of Maslow’s pyramid

1. Physiological Needs: This is the basic stuff we need to survive, like food, water, air, and sleep.
2. Safety Needs: This is about feeling safe and secure, both physically and emotionally.
3. Love and Belonging Needs: This is about feeling connected to others and having a sense of community.
4. Esteem Needs: This is about feeling good about ourselves and having others respect us.
5. Self-Actualization Needs: This is the fancy stuff, like creativity, problem-solving, and reaching our full potential.

Why Maslow’s theory matters today 

Maslow’s theory is important because it shows how our needs change as we grow and develop. It’s also been used to explain a lot of different things, like why people behave the way they do and how to motivate people in the workplace.

AI is already changing the way we meet our needs in 2024. In the future, AI will likely take over many of the jobs that we currently do. This could free up our time to focus on more creative and fulfilling work.

What does this mean for businesses?

Businesses that understand Maslow’s theory will be able to design products and services that meet the needs of a new AI-enhanced world. 

Here’s a list of fictional businesses to demonstrate my point

1. AI tackles the housing crisis:

The way the housing market’s going, you might need to factor in a stairlift as a first-time buyer budget, but this is about to change.

Enter – NestHaven AI

• The Problem:* Finding affordable property feels like a quest worthy of Frodo Baggins. Enterprising landlords seem determined to squeeze every last penny from every hobbit in the shire.
• AI to the Rescue:* NestHaven is an AI-powered platform that analyzes your finances, lifestyle choices, and quirky personality traits to find the perfect abode. Seya later Gandalf, the mortgage advisor, our algorithms decide if you’re worthy of a mortgage, and we’ll even pair you up with someone to go halves with if you’re low on funds. 
• It’ll even negotiate with those pesky property owners and estate agents on your behalf. Plus, the AI-powered roommate matcher ensures you end up with the Monica to your Rachel and not a real-life Smelly Cat.
• Homeownership brings stability and a sense of security that renting can’t always provide. NestHaven AI empowering a new generation of homeowners.

• The Problem:* The gap between the haves and have-nots is wider than the Grand Canyon. Basic financial needs are a constant struggle for many, leaving little room for dreams and self-betterment.
• AI to the Rescue*: EqualAIze is like your personal financial spirit guide. It analyzes your spending habits, hunts for better deals, and even nudges you away from those impulse buys (looking at you, late-night infomercial victims!). Plus, it taps into the gig-economy, finding you side hustles tailored to your skills, making poverty a thing of the past.
• Why it could change the game:* When financial stress eases, people have the mental bandwidth to focus on building skills, finding meaningful work, and generally feeling less despair about the state of the world.

3. AI: Peacemaker Extraordinaire – The Diplobot 3000

• The Problem:* International tensions are at an all-time high, and those in power seem a little too trigger-happy. One wrong tweet and… we could all be facing armageddon with no Bruce Willis to save us. 
• AI to the Rescue:* Meet HAL 9001’s diplomatic cousin, DiploBot 3000. This bad boy analyzes news reports, social sentiment, and even body language of world leaders to predict potential flare-ups. It then suggests behind-the-scenes interventions, like slipping happy pills into Putin’s morning coffee.
• Why it could transform our world:* Forget about doomsday bunkers – invest in those beach vacation plans instead! Less anxiety about global annihilation frees humanity to address other pressing needs like sustainable farming.

4. AI, the Nutrition Whisperer: Outsmart your cravings with NomNomSense

• The Problem:* Our bodies crave junk food, but our long-term health begs for kale smoothies. It’s an eternal battle, and willpower rarely wins.
• AI to the Rescue:* NomNomSense is a part nutritionist, part life coach. It analyzes your food choices, monitors your vitamin levels, and gently suggests alternatives when that pizza craving hits. Plus, it delivers pre-portioned, healthy ingredients and super-easy recipes customized to your taste, making healthy choices practically effortless.
• Why it’s revolutionary:* Improved health means more energy and longer, more fulfilling lives, giving us the capacity to chase those self-actualization dreams.

5. AI the Great Educator: AiEd changes the game

• The Problem:* Today’s classrooms haven’t changed much since Dickens was a lad. One teacher, a roomful of varied learners… it’s a recipe for some thriving and others falling through the cracks.
• AI to the Rescue:* Ed is an AI-powered personalized learning platform. It pinpoints a student’s strengths, weaknesses, and learning style, adapting lesson plans with infinite patience. Imagine a digital Socrates for every child! Plus, it connects learners worldwide, fostering those all-important social skills.
• Why it elevates us all:* With equal access to quality education, the world’s potential geniuses won’t be limited by their location or background. Imagine the problems humanity could solve with all those untapped minds!

6. AI vs. Old Age Blues: Welcome to GoldenYearsGPT

• The Problem:* Loneliness, declining health, and the struggle to maintain independence make those golden years a bit tarnished for many seniors.
• AI to the Rescue:* GoldenYearsGPT is the ultimate AI companion for the elderly. Think Alexa with a lifetime of wisdom and a dash of cheekiness. It plays their favorite tunes from yesteryear, reminds them to take their meds (dispensed automatically, of course!), and even suggests activities based on their mood. Worried about Grandma’s Scrabble skills declining? GoldenYearsGPT is an undefeated opponent, subtly adjusting difficulty to keep it challenging and fun. But the real magic? It detects subtle changes in health patterns and alerts family members or healthcare providers before minor issues become major problems.
• Why it’s more than tech, it’s connection:* GoldenYearsGPT isn’t about replacing human interaction; it’s about filling those inevitable gaps with warmth, humor, and a non-judgemental ear. Sometimes, all it takes is a virtual partner-in-crime to remind a senior that their zest for life hasn’t gone anywhere.