Diplostack #9 - Being Human in the Age of AI
How will AI progress change what it means to be human?
In the second of our series of posts from our AI Conference 2023 (Aug 29th), this session Being Human in the Age of AI, was one of the highest rated (CSAT 4.01/5, n=73), and original in content - asking profound questions - How do we retain AI’s humanism and our humanity while reaping the rewards of this advance? How will AI progress change what it means to be human? Podcast is below, and summary below.
Guests:
Liz Longworth (NZ National Commission for UNESCO, Chair) (moderator)
Scott Houston (Innovation Hero, founder/CEO of Greenbutton acquired by Microsoft)
Dave Moskovitz (Chair, Global Entrepreneurship Network; Co-chair, Wellington Abrahamic Council of Jews, Christians & Muslims).
Summary
Two distinct perspectives were presented on the spiritual and ethical implications of artificial intelligence. Scott Houston, an innovation hero, took us on a journey to the year 2033, where AI has become an integral part of our lives. He painted a picture of a world where AI has transformed industries, enabled communication with animals, and even led to the rise of universal basic income.
On the other hand, Dave Moskowitz, an entrepreneur and co-chair of the Abrahamic Council of Jews, Christians, and Muslims, delved into the spiritual aspects of AI, emphasizing the uniqueness of human beings and the limitations of AI in replicating the human experience.
The Uniqueness of Being Human
Dave Moskowitz highlighted the fundamental difference between humans and AI, emphasizing the presence of a soul in humans that cannot be replicated by machines. He stated, "Humans have a soul and machines do not. I don't believe it's possible for a machine to completely be human." Moskowitz drew upon Jewish thought, explaining the three levels of the soul: nephesh, ruach, and nishama. These levels encompass life itself, consciousness and emotions, and intellect, morality, and connection to the divine, respectively. He argued that these aspects of the soul make human life sacred and set humans apart from other life forms.
Scott Houston added to this perspective by highlighting the limitations of AI in truly understanding what it means to be human. He stated, "There's still so much that we don't understand about how our bodies work and about how our brains work and about the very biological mechanisms that make us tick. And so it's very difficult to simulate things that you don't understand." Houston acknowledged that while AI can produce convincing simulations of human behavior, it lacks the depth of understanding and the biological connection that humans possess.
The Pursuit of Artificial General Intelligence
The discussion also touched upon the pursuit of artificial general intelligence (AGI) and its implications for humanity. A question was raised about the rationality of creating something that is more intelligent than ourselves. Houston responded by expressing his openness to the idea of beings smarter than humans, stating,
"I don't mind having beings around that are smarter than us."
However, he emphasized the importance of qualities beyond intelligence, such as empathy, consideration, love, and respect, which are essential for a functioning society. Moskowitz added, "Smart is only one aspect of being a human being."
The pursuit of AGI raises ethical questions and challenges our understanding of our place in the world. Moskowitz pondered whether the development of AGI is a challenge presented by a higher power, stating,
"Do you think God's presenting us with a challenge, which is to create your masters? So you're going to generate your master. It's the next stage of evolution."
While he acknowledged the potential risks and the need for moral decision-making, he also expressed his belief that AI has the potential to liberate humanity from mundane tasks, allowing us to focus on spirituality, creativity, philosophy, the arts, and forming stronger connections with each other.
The Impact of AI on Society
Both speakers recognized the transformative power of AI and its potential impact on society. Houston painted a picture of a world where AI has revolutionized industries, leading to the creation of creative councils and the detection of copyright fraud and IP protection. He also highlighted the positive impact of AI in enabling communication with animals, leading to a shift towards veganism and a greater awareness of climate change and animal welfare. Houston stated, "By now, 50% of the world is vegan. It has changed the way that we think about climate change and about the way that we interact with animals."
Moskowitz emphasized the need for AI to be harnessed for the benefit of all, rather than a select few. He stated, "We need to work together to ensure that the benefits of AI are shared universally and fairly with our fellow humans." He called for a reevaluation of the principles of capitalism and the development of a Post-AI world that is better, fairer, and more fulfilling than the pre-AI world.
The age of AI calls for a deep reflection on what it means to be human and how we can harness the power of AI to create a better world.
(Audio prepared by a human, transcribed and summarised by Deciphr.ai, edited by a human)
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