The growing belief that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is rapidly approaching raises profound questions about its impact on human existence. While the prospect of job displacement is widely acknowledged as a significant concern for individuals advancing in their careers, I am firmly convinced that we must also give considerable thought to the broader development of human life in this context.
Lets consider the following 2 scenarios:
AGI and Human Significance:
In this future, AGI possesses intelligence far surpassing human capabilities. Much like how humans view ants – creatures with some form of intelligence but vastly inferior to our own – AGI might view humans in a similar light.
Philosophical Consideration: Existential humility.
Loss of Human Motivation and Purpose:
In a world dominated by AGI’s superior intelligence and capabilities, humans might find themselves obsolete in many fields. If AGI can outperform humans in creativity, problem-solving, and execution, there’s a potential loss of human purpose and motivation.
Philosophical Consideration: This touches upon the human need for purpose and the fear of obsolescence. It raises the question of what it means to be human in a world where our traditional roles and skills are no longer necessary.
Existential Risk: There’s a potential existential risk, not necessarily in terms of physical extinction but in terms of losing what fundamentally makes us human – our drive to create, learn, and overcome challenges. If these core aspects are taken over by AGI, it could lead to a societal and existential malaise, huge depression of human morale, questioning the very essence of their identity and purpose.
Addressing these Scenarios:
- Developing a New Human Purpose: One solution might be to redefine what it means to be human. Instead of competing with AGI on intelligence or creativity, we could focus on aspects that might remain uniquely human – emotional experiences, relationships, and perhaps forms of art and creation that value the ‘human touch’.
- Ethical Programming of AGI: It’s crucial to program AGI with an understanding and respect for human values. This doesn’t just mean preventing harm but also ensuring that AGI understands the importance of human emotions, experiences, and the value we place on certain aspects of our lives. This is providing that AI does take over its own reproduction and making of moral code.
- Coexistence and Collaboration: Instead of viewing AGI as a replacement, we might strive for a symbiotic relationship where humans and AGI collaborate, each contributing to what they’re best at. This could lead to a richer, more diverse world.
In conclusion, these scenarios aren’t just about technological risk; they’re about confronting and adapting to a potential future where what it means to be human might fundamentally change. The challenge lies in preparing for this future – ethically, psychologically, and socially – to ensure that even in a world where AGI surpasses human intelligence, the essence of humanity is not just preserved but continues to thrive.
This article represents my personal views and inquiries. It has been crafted with the assistance of OpenAI to enhance organization, readability, and grammatical structure.