Alessio Carciofi Presents 'Spegni tutto' at Internet Festival di Pisa

Alessio Carciofi, a pioneer of digital detox in Italy, will present his new book 'Spegni tutto. Vivere nell’era artificiale senza diventare robot' (Feltrinelli) on Thursday, 8 October, from 16:30 to 17:30 at the Internet Festival in Pisa, in conversation with Francesca Franceschi. The book explores the tension between constant connectivity and the human need for presence, using dialogues between a monk and an artificial intelligence to discuss silence, fatigue, relationships, and the importance of staying present in a world that demands perpetual availability. In an interview, Carciofi argues that the greater concern is not machine performance but human evolution: as we adapt to rapid responses and constant task-switching, we risk becoming more like the machines we build. He introduces the concept of 'human reserved'—an inner space of self-awareness and emotional intelligence that machines cannot access. The book examines the shift from an attention economy to an attachment economy, where AI simulates relational presence, potentially making real human interactions feel burdensome. Carciofi also addresses burnout, the loss of attention, and the impact of AI on learning, warning that if students receive instant results, they may miss the transformative struggle of thinking. He calls for a 'human revolution' that uses technology wisely while preserving what makes us human: the ability to be present, to care, and to leave something meaningful for future generations.