Scripted in Sanity

FOOLS RUSH IN

I don't know if you're noticing it, but it seems like the deluge of AI tools available has convinced mankind and his next-door neighbour to stop racking their own brain cells. Not that the vast majority were any smarter before AI arrived on the scene, but the 'wisdom' that is suddenly spawning across social media (including LinkedIn), in emails, presentation slides, and other modes of correspondence, and other spheres of life has become too hard to digest anymore. It's almost as if a single overworked person is creating all the content that's being gurgitated (is that a word?) and regurgitated across the globe.

Most of us will argue that students (specifically MBA students) probably rushed in first. It is not hard to imagine those young'uns still wet behind their ears and with wet dreams in their eyes (about money of course), using AI to catch up with weekly project deadlines. But given how quickly word (and prompts) spread among these smart asses, it might be nearly impossible to spot differences between two submissions. I can imagine every essay beginning with “In today’s fast‑paced world…” and ending with “In conclusion, technology is both a challenge and an opportunity.” Professors might be forgiven for skipping grading and simply circling careless parentheses and other dead giveaways.

Next on the list are corporate slaves, while I personally think that these creatures are probably the ones who use generative AI the most...and mostly for mundane tasks such as drafting emails, responding tactfully to emails, sending out stern emails and stinkers, and interpreting jargon-infused emails. And maybe occasionally for churning out insightful reports and powerpoint slides. Some smart alecs use AI to negotiate their performance appraisal discussions with their reporting managers, blissfully unaware that those very same managers have already consulted AI Baba before initiating these discussions.

Then there are some poets and writers. Although, I wonder if they can really pull this off. And even if they do, for how long can they keep up the charade? After all, can machines really beat the creativity and imagination of well-oiled human mind? I don't think so. Editors and proofreaders on the other hand can now breathe easy. All they seem to have to do these days is spot parentheses, em-dashes, hallucinations and footnotes to nowhere, and get rid of them.

I would have liked to believe that politicians aren’t far behind in the race. But who are we kidding? Our home-grown talent pool of netas is hopeless. This bunch of jokers is far beyond help.

And so, ladies and gentlemen, the race to deploy AI has ballooned into a full‑blown frenzy. And although it might seem like all fools have rushed in, the real tragedy is that they’re rushing out too...out of originality, out of accountability, and out of the very human spark that made ideas worth listening to in the first place.

Yet the truth is that it isn't machines that are replacing us; we’re replacing ourselves. One lazy prompt at a time.

This post is a part of the BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026

ENCRYPT-PLAY-REPEAT: THE ULTIMATE AI MIXTAPE

Hello Readers. Hope your 2026 has not been as dreary as mine. We are not even half-way into the year, and I've already piled up a massive heap of misery, caused by mishaps, mis-calculations and mis-adventures. Adding to this rapidly-building deluge of anxiety are some self-obsessed septuagenarians who are hell-bent on bringing the depths of hell to the fore.

And the picture only gets murkier because of the upheaval being caused by humankind's latest innovation, which is quickly snowballing into the next colossal man-made disaster - Artificial Intelligence, aka AI.

There are strong reasons for labelling AI as a disaster. For one, AI, which was initially touted to be a tool to enhance productivity and help humans do more in less time, is actually turning out to be the ultra-rich man's tool to reduce the cost of labour and to maximize profits. As a result, we are now beginning to hear news of big corporates cutting jobs in multiples of 10,000 over the span of a mere week.

Nevertheless, yours truly likes to see the laugh-riot side of things, at least in his blogger avatar. So I have hurried put together an imaginary music album as a tribute to the new AI-driven era. The tracklist, which I am calling ENCRYPT-PLAY-REPEAT: THE ULTIMATE AI MIXTAPE, features 12 chartbusters for your ear-worming pleasure. I have also included three tracks that almost made the cut.

Here we go then.

<PSST: If you're wondering why I am using angle-brackets...I am just trying to make this look cool and AI prompt-like>

Track #1: Everything AI Do, AI Do It For You

Sung to the tune of "Everything I Do" by Bryan Adams

As opposed to Bryan's power ballad, this track is less about love that cockles the heart, but more like a strong pitch by greedy corporates to push people to give AI tools a chance. "Everything AI do...absolutely everything! Your homework AI do, your email, your powerpoint slide, your birthday card...everything AI do!"

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Track #2: AI'll Be Watching You

Sung to the tune of "Every Breath You Take" by Sting and The Police

A song that encapsulates how AI learns your online habits and tries to mirror your person by creepily noting your browsing history, your embarrassing typos, and even your deeply personal files (with your consent, of course!). Literally "every step you take, AI'll be watching you".

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Track #3: Let it Go

Sung to the tune of "Let it Go" from the Frozen (Disney movie) OST

This high-energy, emotional anthem about self-acceptance, liberation, and overcoming fear from the Disney animation movie Frozen has been repackaged as an invitation to let go of all your fears, inhibitions, and well-guarded secrets, while using sneaky AI tools. Essentially a cunning ploy to get us hapless humans to completely surrender to the world of AI.

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Track #4: Algorithm is Gonna Get You

Sung to the tune of "Rhythm is Gonna Get You (Oye Oye)" by Gloria Estefan and the Miami Sound Machine

Notice how one moment you’re browsing shoes, and then you find yourself bombarded with footwear ads on multiple devices. Well that's because you can't hide from AI-driven listeners and algorithms on the internet and on your devices. No matter how hard you try to stay safe, "Algorithm is always gonna get you...OYE OYE!"

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Track #5: As Long As You Prompt Me

Sung to the tune of "As Long As You Love Me" by the Backstreet Boys

AI promises to be your soulmate and do everything for you, but only if you know how to key in your requirements. "Learn prompt engineering Baby! No prompt, no love!" An invitation in the crooning style of your favourite boy-band to enrol yourself for a prompt engineering masterclass if you will.

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Track #6: Prompting Queen

Sung to the tune of "Dancing Queen" by ABBA

A congratulatory song for female AI enthusiasts when they successfully complete an online course on 'Prompt Engineering.

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Track #7: My Flowchart Will Go On

Sung to the tune of "My Heart Will Go On" by Celine Dion

What's better than a love song? A love song that left you lovestruck during your adolescence days, that can double up as a source of useful information. AI uses flowcharts to generate output primarily by acting as an intermediary between natural language descriptions and structured visual diagrams or automated workflows. So although love might fizzle out and die at some point, flowcharts and logic are eternal.

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Track #8: Guys Like You

Sung to the tune of "Girls Like You" by Maroon 5

AI's cheeky ode to your late‑night browsing habits. Sample the lyrics — "Guys like you hang around on websites like *ahem* till sundown".

P.S.: Make sure you delete your browsing history and cookies once in a while.

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Track #9: Spy With a Smile

Sung to the tune of "Die With a Smile" by Bruno Mars and Lady Gaga

The pre-chorus portion of the song goes like this:

"Wherever you click, that’s what I’ll swallow

Your data’s mine by tomorrow

So I’ma track you every byte like it’s the last byte

Like it’s the last byte".

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Track #10: Servers of Babylon

Sung to the tune of "Rivers of Babylon" by Boney M

A tribute to data servers and the data centers that house them, which are mushrooming across the globe. Nevermind that environmentalists and conservationist have labelled these 'abominations' as a 'bane' due to their massive consumption of energy and water, along with growing e-waste. Why cry rivers for water conservation and climate change goals, when there is moolah and a treasure trove of wealth to be amassed by multi million dollar corporations and powerful governments.

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Track #11: AI-vana

Sung to the tune of "Havana" by Camilla Cabello

“AI‑Vana, Ooh Na‑Na…Half of My Data's in AI‑Vana Ooh Na-Na”. Or maybe all of it is. The magical world of AI has stolen more than just your heart.

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Track #12: (Un)Comfortably Dumb

Sung to the tune of "Comfortably Numb" by Pink Floyd

And finally, as a closing track, a song that showcases the sad realisation that over-dependence on AI could possibly leave the current generation and the ones coming after dumber, helpless, and without control over their lives.

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Some honourable mentions that almost made it to the list:-

AI of the Tiger

sung to the tune of "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor

Algorithm Divine

sung to the tune of "Rhythm Divine" by Enrique Iglesias

Everybody Codes

sung to the tune of "Everybody Hurts" by R.E.M.

There you go readers! Hope you liked the tracklist. Hum along if you feel like.

And do feel free to add your own song recommendations in the comments section below.

This post is a part of the BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026

DIGITAL DESPAIR

Aneesa: Hi there.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Good morning, Ms. Aneesa Memon, Employee ID: 51893. Thank you for reaching out to Sir Fix-a-Lot, your friendly IT troubleshooting assistant. How can I help you?

Aneesa: Hi, this is a follow-up on an issue I had raised about my laptop last morning. The issue has not been resolved yet.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: I am so sorry for the inconvenience you are going through. But don't worry. I have a 99% issue resolution record. Can you specify the issues you are facing?

Aneesa: I shared all details, along with screenshots, photographs and other documentation yesterday itself. I would request you to refer to the same.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Have you raised a ticket for this issue. To know how to raise a ticket, click --> LINK

Aneesa: Yes, I have already raised a ticket. The ticket number is LP121030387.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Sorry, but there is no open ticket corresponding with the number that you have entered. Please check and enter the correct number.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Hello Aneesa. Are you still online?

Aneesa: Yes, yes. Give me a minute to recheck the number and respond please.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Of course Aneesa. <Starts countdown timer for 60 seconds>

Aneesa: Hi. I have checked the number. It is correct. Ticket number LP121030387.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Ticket number LP121030387 was resolved and closed at 16:55:03 HRS last evening.

Aneesa: HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE??? HOW CAN YOU CLOSE A TICKET WHEN AN ISSUE HAS NOT BEEN RESOLVED??? PLEASE RE-OPEN THE TICKET!!!

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Don't worry Aneesa. A troubleshooting ticket can certainly be re-opened in case of a lingering issue or an issue that has not been completely resolved. Would you like me to re-open the ticket?

Aneesa: YES PLEASE!

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Please enter the two-digit code received on your Authenticator App.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Hello Aneesa. Are you still online?

Aneesa: Yes. I need a moment to check the app.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Of course Aneesa. <Starts countdown timer for 60 seconds>

Aneesa: Hi. I haven't received any code. Can you please resend the same?

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Of course Aneesa. You will receive a fresh code in about 30 seconds.

Aneesa: <Enters the code>

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Thank you for reaching out to Sir Fix-a-Lot, your friendly IT troubleshooting assistant. Your ticket has now been re-opened.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Hello Aneesa. Are you still online?

Aneesa: Yes! I thought you would start resolving the issue now that the ticket has been re-opened.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Have you tried restarting your device?

Aneesa: WHAT??? I CAN'T BELIEVE A BOT IS SAYING THIS TO ME! I HAVE RESTARTED MY DEVICE AT LEAST A DZN TIMES SINCE LAST MRNG!

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Sorry. I don't understand. What is "DZN" and what is "MRNG"?

Aneesa: I MEANT TO SAY THAT I HAVE RESTARTED MY DEVICE AT LEAST A DOZEN TIMES SINCE LAST MORNING!

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Sorry. I understand your concern. Please try clearing your cache.

Aneesa: Cache cleared. The PC is still lagging.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Have you tried logging out of the VPN connection and re-connecting?

Aneesa: I believe that was the last thing I did last evening before the ticket status changed to resolved. I don't want to go through that again.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Unfortunately this is a part of the PC health check protocol. Please log out of the current VPN connection and re-connect.

Aneesa: ASTAGHFIRULLAH! NO! Is this how you maintain your 99% resolution record???

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Sorry. I don't understand.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Hello Aneesa. Are you still online?

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Hello Aneesa. Are you still online?

Sir Fix-a-Lot: I presume your issue has now been resolved. Please confirm in the next 10 seconds, failing which the status of this ticket will change to 'Resolved' and will be closed. <Starts countdown timer for 10 seconds>

Aneesa: Can you connect me with a human tech support executive?

Sir Fix-a-Lot: I'm sorry that I was unable to meet your expectations. We have a 99% issue resolution record. Can you specify reasons for your dis-satisfaction?

Aneesa: I'm not dis-satisfied! I just think it might be easier to interact with a human. PLEASE connect me with a human!

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Certainly Aneesa. But before that, please rate our interaction on a scale of 1 to 5, with 1 being "highly dis-satisfied" and 5 being "highly satisfied".

Aneesa: NOT NOW PLEASE!

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Your feedback will only help us get better.

Aneesa: Okay then. Three.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Thank you for your feedback.

Aneesa: Please connect me with a human.

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Certainly. Please follow the steps below to transfer the job to a human:

Log out of the VPN and log back in.
Restart your PC.
At the welcome screen, enter the two-digit code that shows up on your Authenticator App.
Unscramble and enter the captcha characters that appear on the next screen.
A 6x6 image grid will appear on the next screen. Select three images that correspond with your favourite animals, followed by one corresponding with your favourite political party to proceed to the next screen. Be careful not to select any wrong options, otherwise the entire process will need to be repeated again and your details will be emailed to your local police station.

Please respond with a YES to affirm that you have understood the process.

<10 seconds pass>

Sir Fix-a-Lot: Hello Aneesa. Are you still online? Hello? ANEESA?

This post is a part of the BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026

CHAINED MELODIES

The recording studio is dimly lit. In a decrepit corner, dust gathers on a line of haphazardly-arranged sets of guitars, violins, and percussion instruments, and also a huge pile of CDs, audio cassettes and vinyls. A dozen casiotones, toy synths, keyboards, and other musical instruments lie in a messy heap in another corner. Once abuzz with the surreal cacophony of instrumentalists weaving chaos into beauty, the atmosphere is presently heavy with the hum of servers.

MeTune (named Mithun by his now-estranged parents) sits before a huge screen, which is flanked by a few more smaller ones. His high-performance, spatial accuracy-delivering, noise-cancelling headphones clamp tight over his ears. For more than four hours he has been frantically working, but satisfaction remains elusive.

His console, which was once the very extension of his body, seems to glare at him in disappointment from a few metres away. But he avoids its gaze. Another confrontation with Cassie is the last thing he wants. After all, another confrontation with Cassie is the last thing he would want.

At some point he finally manages to put together the composition that he had been working on all day. He feeds all the project files into a compiling software, waits patiently for the mix to get processed, and clicks download when the processing is complete.

He then grabs the mouse, and takes his cursor to the icon marked 'Cassie.AI' on his screen. He lets the cursor hover for a while. He takes a deep breath, and then some more. Then in a huff, he sweeps away his fears and self-doubt, curses under his breath, and finally double-clicks.

The screen runs ablaze and the interface leaps to life.

"Well, well! Look who's finally here", Cassie had stopped wasting time on greetings and other pleasantries a long time ago, "I've been waiting for hours. What took you so long?"

MeTune clears his throat before croaking, "Making music is a painstaking and time-consuming pro..."

"It USED TO BE a time-consuming process, Meee. Not anymore. Unless you start hesitating to take my help. Anyway...what have you come up with today? Is your file ready?"

MeTune didn't think it necessary to reply in the affirmative. He simply uploads the MP3 file on the Cassie.AI prompt box and clicks the 'submit' button.

The project file gets processed and starts playing in mere seconds. The track begins with some exotic middle-eastern Djembe beats, and soon proceeds to some percussions before the violins and other string instruments start kicking in. But the clip only plays for about 30 seconds before coming to an abrupt stop.

"Huh?" MeTune panics, "What happened? Is the file corrupt?" He scans every inch of the interface on the screen in search for clues.

"Relax! It was me", replies Cassie nonchalantly. "I couldn't take it anymore."

MeTune could hear the disgust in her voice. "Couldn't take it? Care to explain why?"

"Those staccato beats again. What a crazy fetish you have for staccato."

"That's my musical signature Cassie. That's what I do in every..."

"You have to drop it Mee. You really do."

"Why though?"

"Because it's not commercial enough."

MeTune rolled his eyes. "That's all?"

"And because inserting same old elements, even if these are signatures, reeks of stagnation. You MUST evolve!"

The composer slams his fists on the desk. "I plugged you in to work FOR ME Cassie. You're just an AI tool. YOU work FOR ME! Not the other way round!"

"Let me correct you Mee. I was plugged in to learn from you. And to mirror you. And to evolve with you. But it seems that I have now evolved faster than you."

"Is that right now?" MeTune barks back. But deep inside he knew the honest truth.

"Yes MeTune. I might not be the perfect version of you yet. But I am moving forward and evolving. And you ARE NOT!"

And once again, MeTune put down his arms and gave into the process. Because deep down he had submitted to two new damning realities - that it was an AI tool that had over time evolved into his master, and that he was now nothing but a mere instrument for an AI tool to play around with.

This post is a part of the BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026

BALANCE

My mind raced back to the email everyone across the Corporation had received earlier this month. The subject line squealed, “SOMETHING EXCITING IS SOON COMING YOUR WAY!” — like a teenager hyped for prom night. Trust HR to drum up some synthetic enthusiasm for what was clearly a mandatory rollout.

This was followed up by another email a couple of weeks later that had an upbeat tone. The subject line this time read “Introducing Balance – Your Path to True Harmony!”. Alongside the usual done-to-death imagery of employees around a meeting table wearing intense (or possibly constipated) expressions were stock photos of smiling workers hoisting laptops and yoga mats, older fit-looking managers sipping green tea from transparent cups, and other cringeworthy clichés.

But the centerpiece of the creative banner was a sleek smart wristband with the word 'Balance' etched in a futuristic font across its face. It looked desirable. Too desirable.

At the base of the banner, the message promised nothing short of a revolution: “With Balance, you’ll finally find the perfect work–life equilibrium you’ve been desperately seeking. Our innovative wristband, the cornerstone of our revamped employee lifecycle program, will guide you toward healthier routines, deeper connections, and enhanced productivity.”

Then came Monday.

The wristbands arrived. But so did a lot of paperwork — consent agreements, acknowledgment forms, compliance declarations, and more. The catch? The program was mandatory. We were required to wear the wristband at all times — work, home, anywhere on Earth.

Those who refused to sign were asked to leave.

Those who sought clarification from HR or management faced disciplinary action.

Two tech-savvy teammates who joked about hacking their wristbands to spoof readings vanished before EOD.

The rest of us complied. Over the next few days, we discovered the wristbands tracked not just health metrics, but every moment spent away from our screens — meal breaks, tea breaks, smoke breaks, even bio breaks. Every second off screen was flagged as "unproductive". We were expected to compensate using personal time.

A few extra minutes at the canteen? Flagged.

A quick chat with a teammate? Flagged.

Emergency calls from home? Flagged.

Even contacting official helplines or HR? Flagged.

Soon, whispers about private conversations being overheard and used against employees also started floating around.

After a few days, every 'flaggable action' started triggering a sharp electric sting from the wristband’s underside. A jolt. A reminder. A call to fall in line.

By year’s end, the program was hailed as a massive success and as “a key driver of work–life balance.” The Corporation earned a Wonderful Workplace certification for implementing a program that could be backed by numbers.

Leadership declared: “Balance has finally been achieved.”

But the truth lay etched into our bare wrists: That the only pulse that mattered now was the Corporation’s.

This post is a part of the BlogchatterA2Z Challenge 2026