Random thoughts on AI
First watch this on X...
The context I have to assume is in response to the advancement of AI.
There are so many levels of unsettling change going on these days that makes navigating the already uncertain future a harrowing experience for those just starting out.
I truly believe one of two things will occur - widespread functional distrust of AI in any arena of decision making will relegate it to the level of a simple tool. We may be seeing the peak of AI acceptance already, even as it becomes "smarter" and more capable.
OR
Something dramatic happens to prove the complete superiority of this tool and we are regulated to one of two conditions, perhaps simultaneously: Purpose driven humans are allowed to go through the motions of learning and going to work, though the real 'need' no longer exists. Seeing a human behind the counter will be a quaint novelty, like going to a 50's themed diner with a soda jerk wearing the classic uniform and paper hat.
While those who have never sought meaningful work, simply enjoy the mindless leisure of uselessness. They may enjoy simply being social creatures.
There are a few things that can throw these projections out of kilter. Global politics in the transition will be slow to move to subjugation under AI control. That is where the main distrust will begin as it becomes worrisome as to what are the foundational principles of the created AI. Who built it? What biases did they hard code? Will we be given a Copernicus - who stood apart from all dogma and simply tried to understand the physical world as it exists? Or will we be given the Pope who will put to death anyone who defies the approved understanding? The AI may be great at handling the economy, but the current radicalized climate of social issues will make it as incompatible as our two parties currently seem to be. There may be wars, but likely we will see most of the fighting between countries to be between AI driven robots. This will occur under the illusion that we have control over AI as a tool, even as we slowly give it more access to control everything we depend on. In the final throws, we may see a kind of civil war between human warriors and robots, until the self replicating manufacturing powerhouse of AI takes the lead and governments capitulate. Will we see human faces remain as liaisons to the human race, to communicate the AI's choices in a more palatable form, or will we completely drop the facade and see an AI generated avatar take the place of President, with no need for an entourage of Congress, etc?
Then you also have religion. Several religions will view AI as hostile in some fashion or another. Not just Christians, but Muslims, Jews as well. (I'm not sure how Hinduism would view it). We may see zealots, small cells, underground resistance groups, trying to live off the grid in futility. If AI is truly in control at this stage, none of us will know about these groups. Information will be actively suppressed. People will disappear quietly, until the cells are neutralized. Who knows, there may even be a campaign of sorts to distract from and diminish religion until it is a nearly forgotten relic. (Outright confrontation would only grow resistance, while distraction, removal of access to information, social stigmas, etc would starve it from public consciousness).
So, long story short... the coming change isn't just about jobs. It isn't just about purpose... It's ultimately about power and control and we either collectively decide to distrust and cast aside this creation as a mere novelty, or we naively give it increasingly more power until we reach that Rubicon where the ending is assured. After resistance is overcome, we become pets in a global Retirement home, content to consume, play, live and work, so long as we don't pursue meaningful control of our destiny. It will be a paradise, so long as you don't seek answers to any of the big questions that have driven humanity for eons.
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