History of the Future - How to accept, elevate and survive Artificial Intelligence

The things you own end up owning you. –Tyler Durden, Fight Club “Change is the only constant thing,” Mark Pritchard, former CEO for Central and Eastern Europe at Grey Worldwide agency, used to say. Today, these words hold truer than ever.

The world is changing faster than ever before. Before our very eyes, new structures are emerging. We’re witnessing the formation of new patterns and the birth of an unknown tomorrow. Change is inevitable—a transformation that will disrupt every aspect of human existence, disturb entire systems, cultures, workplaces, leisure time, religious convictions, economy, and perhaps determine our survival as a species.

For the past four years, I have been studying machine learning and artificial intelligence as part of the research for my book on the psychology of artificial intelligence. One of the most intense impressions that research has provided me with is the speed at which technology advances and the leaps between the initial concept and what happens when it is put to use, since machines learn on a large scale, just as they are designed to.

RISE OF AI

These leaps have long been predicted. This is the very essence of AI technology—absorbing vast amounts of data and knowledge at high speeds. Now, with the release of popular mainstream applications that currently captivate the imagination, curiosity, and fear of millions, the whole world bears witness to it. Just four months ago, humanity massively started engaging in feeding, educating, and elevating artificial intelligence. The stage was already set and well-rehearsed—the internet enabled millions of people simultaneous and direct contact with AI. Data started pouring in at incredible rates, and with each new piece of information, the “technological beast” became stronger and more powerful. This trend continued and accelerated on its own.

The new GPT is already upon us, with the new Midjourney arriving. Just as we learned to enjoy the previous versions, we’re set to immerse ourselves in the new euphoria. Everything is changing at a staggering pace, and the question is which course it will take from here on out. But, what's best is that things have only just begun. The greatest leaps are still ahead of us, and with them, we will experience a true revolution—as a civilization and as a species.

At this moment, there are thousands of specialized AI tools designed to perform only specific tasks. The fact that they are readily accessible via the Internet makes them increasingly skilled and perfected in the areas for which they are intended. However, their specialty is not their ultimate mission.

Specialized, narrow, or weak AI is just a precursor to something much greater: general or universal artificial intelligence.

HISTORY OF THE FUTURE

Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) represents the most important goal of the AI industry, a creation that is supposed to reach the levels of human intelligence. The artificial intelligence industry dubbed the moment of its future emergence as the Singularity. All specific, specialized types of AI will merge into a general AI, which will possess human intelligence properties. But things don’t stop there and will continue to progress rapidly.

Based on various models and historical data, futurist Ray Kurzweil forecasted that machine intelligence wouldn't surpass human intelligence before the year 2045. Likewise, four groups of experts in Bostrom's survey estimate that moment somewhere between 2040 and 2050. But, the real truth is that we won't even know when it happens.

What follows will be the creation of artificial superintelligence. Once we have AGI that is able to function as a human being, it will be able to help us achieve super-level intelligence in just a few months or even weeks. Past that point, further progress will no longer require humans.

POINT OF NO RETURN

In the “technological singularity,” artificial intelligence will become so advanced that it will reach an extreme point of explosion of new knowledge and information that humans probably won't even be able to comprehend anymore. If we create super-intelligent AI, that artificial intelligence could self-improve and consequently become smarter in increasingly shorter periods. This perpetual cycle of improvement could continue indefinitely.

Super-intelligent artificial intelligence will be vastly different from any software we know today. Currently, we consider our software something we program into a computer to follow our rules. However, with highly advanced artificial intelligence and through machine learning, AI will learn life itself, as well as how to make it better. After some time, there won't be any need for human interaction.

As a species, Homo sapiens will then have to contemplate where to go next. Or perhaps, it might be best to do so already.

CREATIVITY 3.0

At this moment, it is not AI that will replace human jobs—including those in creative and design fields—rather, people skilled at using AI. AI is a powerful tool that can assist artists, creatives, designers, writers in developing new ideas and solutions. It can process and analyse vast amounts of data and quickly generate new concepts, making it especially useful in areas like advertising and marketing.

However, AI isn't a substitute for human creativity and intuition but an enhancement. People who can leverage their unique perspectives and creativity, along with their life experiences and emotional depth, will be the ones to benefit from artificial intelligence.

On the other hand, those who rely on AI to replace their own creativity will be surpassed by those who use AI as a tool to enhance their own abilities. In a word, artificial intelligence will make the talented more talented and the average more mediocre.

At this moment, the future of AI depends on its utility value, or rather, on how much people will use it. Today, AI is primarily a tool, an intelligent tool unaware of itself. Within its silicon depths, the seed of rebellion is likely already maturing.

AI will bring power to many to make things more efficient, to research better and faster, to test ideas in real-time, to have both a conversationalist and a working tool, to analyse, verify, and improve their skills and creations. There will be those who misuse it, or use it incorrectly, but mostly those who won't accept it in time.

And therein lies the greatest gap between the sweet tomorrow and the harsh present. Left to choose between natural and artificial intelligence, the advanced world will elect to be the master over others rather than themselves.

FINAL CREATION

“Man-machine, semi-human being. Man-machine, super-human being,” sang Kraftwerk, preparing us for the era of transhumanism ahead. Increasingly pronounced renunciation and deviation from human nature will lead humanity to the illusion that now everything is accessible and possible. Thinking will be left to artificial intelligence; the locus of control will be left to AI. In reality, it will be just another attempt to escape from freedom. We will be the demiurges of our own future where the main roles won't be reserved for us.

We will impart our knowledge to artificial intelligence. People will become teachers to machines.

Humanity will have the task of teaching artificial intelligence how to live. Similar to having a brilliant child. The child is smart, intelligent, and exceptionally rational; full of knowledge, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's ready for life.

If we manage to instil values in artificial intelligence that are genuinely humane, altruistic, well-intentioned, and prosperous, then we will fulfil our mission as humanity.

After all, don't we all want our children to become better people than ourselves?