Meaning of "A.I." by Palisades

The lyrics of "A.I." delve into the theme of emotional detachment and self-preservation as a response to past trauma and heartbreak. The speaker describes a process of dehumanization, replacing their organic body parts with mechanical components to shield themselves from the potential for hurt and vulnerability. This transformation symbolizes a retreat into artificiality in an attempt to protect oneself from the emotional risks of being authentic and open. By equating emotional pain with a lack of humanity, the song suggests a fear of intimacy and a desire for control over one's emotions and interactions with others. The speaker's admission that they never wanted to become this detached from their own emotions and humanity reveals a sense of regret and loss for the authentic connections that have been sacrificed in the pursuit of self-preservation.