Artificial Intelligence: Where do we go from here?

Pondering questions of the distant future.

As our world undergoes increasing digitalization, technology has become deeply ingrained in our society. The imperative for advancing humanity has never been more pressing. Every action, every interaction we undertake as humans now contributes to a calculated and data-driven solution. From our fingertips on smartphones to the swiping of credit cards, data is constantly being exchanged at a rapid pace. However, this situation has also sparked a dilemma between convenience and privacy.

The accumulation of data is on the rise, and we may reach a point where the quantity of data becomes inversely proportional to the current growth rate of machine learning, thereby hindering its progress. This phenomenon raises skepticism about emerging technologies, with fears arising about control over human beings. Throughout the course of human civilization, advancements in human thought and philosophy have often led to outcomes that were initially viewed as disastrous. Skeptics have cast doubt on the brilliance of individuals such as Nikola Tesla, Copernicus, and many others. Therefore, it is essential for us to question the reality of the perceived threats that come with emerging technologies. While nuclear fusion has the potential to yield incredible results in terms of renewable energy, those in power, unfortunately, opted for weapons instead.

The concept of a humanoid robot or AGI(passionately marketed as AI) may appear frightening, but have we truly comprehended the intricacies of the human brain to the extent that we can factor emotions into an equation? Are we prepared to allow artificial intelligence to explore the profound needs of scientific discovery, the human body, nature, or the enigmatic quantum realm of the universe? It is crucial for us to maintain a healthy level of skepticism and to question everything. After all, that is the essence of scientific inquiry. However, the answers or possibilities presented by such creations are far beyond the capabilities of today's amateur neural networks.

Take everything with a grain of salt or may I say with a grain of silicon! Viewing AI as potentially dangerous warns us about the risks involved in its development and implementation. However, drawing conclusions solely from a human-centered perspective replicates the same mindset that has led to environmental crises. By focusing exclusively on human interests and disregarding the wider impact of AI on non-human entities and the ecosystem, we risk repeating the mistakes made by our forefathers. "History may not repeat itself but it sure does rhyme!". It is essential to approach AI development ethically, considering the well-being of all stakeholders, human and non-human, in order to avoid perpetuating our historical disregard for the world around us.

Science and technology, twin forces of human endeavor, have long stood as stalwart champions of empirical observation and objective truth. Throughout the course of history, they have emerged as products of observation and empirical evidence since the inception of humankind. As skeptics and seekers of truth continue on their intellectual journey, the responsibility ultimately lies with those in positions of power to determine whether we wield AI as a blessing or a curse.

#nickxitAI #nxb