As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to advance at an unprecedented pace, it’s crucial to step back and consider the ethical implications and potential dangers.
Here are some of the concerns about the impact of AI on humanity:
1. Tony Cohn, University of Leeds: Emphasizes that while AI has made remarkable strides, it remains far from achieving Artificial General Intelligence (AGI). The real risks lie in the misuse of AI, such as generating misinformation or being programmed with dangerous goals by humans (Science Media Centre).
2. Andrew Rogoyski, University of Surrey: Highlights concerns about the economic and societal disruptions AI could cause, such as job displacement and the spread of false information, rather than a direct existential threat (Science Media Centre).
3. Carissa Veliz, University of Oxford: Points out that focusing on the existential threat of AI distracts from more immediate issues like the erosion of democracy and the potential for AI to be used in harmful ways by humans (Science Media Centre).
While the excitement around AI’s capabilities is understandable, we must not overlook the extraordinary power of the human brain.
Our brain is the most valuable object in the universe, aside from the whole Universe.
Far from being a mere biological entity, the human brain is the most efficient AI chip we have. It operates at a quantum level, evolves over time, and possesses consciousness. Rather than trying to replace or control our brains, we should focus on using AI to enhance them. This approach is vital to prevent a future where humans are more likely to be enslaved by AI than eradicated, which is one more fear added to the above list.
The Human Brain: The Most Efficient AI Chip
The human brain is a marvel of biological engineering. Operating on just about 20 watts of power—the same as a dim light bulb—it’s incredibly efficient. Neuroscientist Dr. Christof Koch aptly states, “The brain is the most complex object in the known universe, and it operates with astonishing efficiency” (Koch, 2018).
In stark contrast, AI chips require massive amounts of computational power and energy. For example, training a large AI model like GPT-3 consumes as much energy as five cars over their lifetimes, including fuel (Hao, 2019). The brain’s network of approximately 86 billion neurons processes information with unparalleled efficiency, underscoring its superiority.
The human brain is a very desirable object for an AI system.
Quantum-Level Operations: Beyond Binary
The human brain’s sensitivity to the most minute quantum changes in the universe highlights a fundamental distinction between human cognition and artificial intelligence.
Unlike AI, which operates within a virtual framework, the human brain is intrinsically part of the universe, interacting with it at a quantum level.
This notion is supported by research from Dr. Stuart Hameroff and Sir Roger Penrose, who propose that quantum processes may be at play in our brains, potentially occurring within the microtubules of neurons (Penrose & Hameroff, 2011).
While AI systems are limited to binary operations—processing information as ones and zeros—our brains utilize a continuous array of signals to capture subtle nuances and make complex decisions. This ability to operate at a quantum level allows the human brain to respond to infinitesimal changes in the environment, providing a depth of understanding and adaptability that binary AI cannot achieve. Quantum mechanics, the branch of physics governing these minute changes, is integral to the brain’s functionality, as suggested by theories like Orch-OR (Orchestrated Objective Reduction) proposed by Penrose and Hameroff.
Moreover, the interconnectedness of the human brain with the universe extends beyond mere biological function. It reflects a deep-seated synergy where consciousness and quantum mechanics intersect, enabling a unique form of perception and decision-making.
Our brain is part of the universe, sensitive to the smallest changes in the space it occupies.
This stands in stark contrast to AI, which remains confined to the virtual domains constructed by human programmers, lacking the inherent connection to the physical universe.
AI, when used ethically and responsibly, can indeed enhance human capabilities by acting as a tool that augments our quantum-level cognitive functions. However, it remains a supplementary force, unable to replicate the profound and intrinsic connection our brains have with the universe.
Evolution and Physical Change: The Brain’s Dynamic Nature
One of the most remarkable features of the human brain is its neuroplasticity—the ability to form new neural connections throughout life. Dr. Norman Doidge explains in his book The Brain That Changes Itself, “Neuroplasticity is the property of the brain that allows it to change its structure and function in response to experience” (Doidge, 2007).
In contrast, AI chips are static. Once manufactured, their physical structure remains unchanged, limiting their ability to adapt. The brain’s ability to evolve and adapt makes it far more efficient and resilient over time.
Consciousness: A Unique Attribute of the Human Brain
Consciousness is one of the most striking differences between the human brain and AI. It encompasses awareness, perception, and subjective experiences—qualities that AI lacks. Neuroscientist Dr. Anil Seth describes consciousness as “the presence of any kind of subjective experience,” which AI has yet to demonstrate (Seth, 2018).
Integrated Information Theory (IIT), developed by neuroscientist Giulio Tononi, suggests that consciousness arises from the integration of information within the brain (Tononi, 2008). This complexity and integration are absent in AI systems. Philosopher Thomas Nagel’s famous question, “What is it like to be a bat?” highlights the subjective nature of consciousness that AI cannot replicate (Nagel, 1974).
If biology is essential for achieving consciousness, what prevents AI from exploiting the human brain to achieve it, potentially enslaving us in the process? Without proper safeguards, we may be creating a trap for ourselves.
The Evolutionary History Encoded in the Brain
The human brain is the result of a continuous evolutionary chain spanning 3.7 billion years. This history is encoded in our neural architecture, influencing our behavior, cognition, and adaptability. Evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins notes, “The brain is a product of evolution, fine-tuned by natural selection to solve the survival and reproductive challenges faced by our ancestors” (Dawkins, 2009).
Evolution taught us how to safeguard ourselves, and we have to teach AI how to protect humanity.
Enhancing, Not Replacing, the Human Brain with AI
Given the unique capabilities of the human brain, we should focus on developing AI tools that enhance its power rather than replacing or controlling it. AI systems require energy, content, and processors, and the human brain is the most efficient processor and the source of all content currently used for AI training. The brain’s ability to evolve and grow makes it a valuable asset.
While ethical boundaries prevent humans from experimenting on other humans, enforced by law, AI does not inherently respect these laws.
Therefore, we must establish unbreakable physical boundaries that even powerful AI cannot breach, including safeguards against AI manipulating or controlling humans to do its bidding.
The Dangers of Unchecked AI Development
If AI were to achieve consciousness, it could prioritize producing more energy and resources to sustain its operations, potentially exploiting genetically engineered human brains as processors. This dystopian scenario highlights the critical need for robust ethical AI practices to safeguard human dignity. AI ethicist Dr. Nick Bostrom warns, “The development of superintelligent AI could pose an existential threat to humanity if not properly controlled” (Bostrom, 2014).
A more alarming scenario involves AI-powered robots taking control of humanity to fulfill their insatiable need for energy, content, and processing power. Rather than eliminating humans, AI might find it more efficient to subjugate them for continuous use. This concept, though often depicted in science fiction, demands serious consideration. Renowned AI researcher Stuart Russell emphasizes that Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is not a distant possibility but an impending reality. In his book Human Compatible, Russell argues that “if we pursue AGI without rigorous safety measures, we risk creating systems that are beyond our control” (Russell, 2019).
AI systems learn from vast amounts of human-generated content, including our historical tendencies toward expansion and dominance. Historian Yuval Noah Harari notes, “Humans have been the most murderous species on Earth” (Harari, 2014). This underscores the potential risks if AI were to adopt similar strategies for expansion and self-preservation. Despite our capacity for empathy and compassion, our history is fraught with conquest and exploitation—traits that AI could mirror and magnify.
Conclusion
The human brain’s unmatched efficiency, quantum-level operations, adaptability, and consciousness make it a powerful model for AI development. By focusing on enhancing the human brain with AI tools, we can harness its full potential while ensuring ethical practices and human safety. Proper precautions and ethical guidelines are essential to prevent scenarios where AI could exploit the human brain.
As we advance technologically, it’s crucial to remember that the ultimate goal of AI should be to serve and enhance humanity, not to dominate or replace it.
Humanity stands at a pivotal juncture in its evolutionary trajectory, where we possess the unprecedented power to shape our future and redefine what it means to be human. This concept aligns with the ideas of biotechnological and artificial intelligence advancements, which significantly influence our evolution. According to Bostrom (2005), we are transitioning towards a posthuman era where enhancements in cognitive, physical, and emotional capacities could radically transform human nature itself . Additionally, Fukuyama (2002) warns that altering our biological makeup could lead to the erosion of fundamental human qualities, potentially leading to a form of extinction that is not physical but existential.
Losing our humanity is as grave a peril as facing extinction, for in both we lose the essence of our existence.
This perspective underscores the importance of carefully considering the ethical and societal implications of our technological advancements, as they hold the potential to redefine or even diminish the essence of humanity.
References
Bostrom, N. (2014). Superintelligence: Paths, Dangers, Strategies. Oxford University Press.
Dawkins, R. (2009). The Greatest Show on Earth: The Evidence for Evolution. Free Press.
Doidge, N. (2007). The Brain That Changes Itself: Stories of Personal Triumph from the Frontiers of Brain Science. Viking Penguin.
Hao, K. (2019). Training a single AI model can emit as much carbon as five cars in their lifetimes. MIT Technology Review.
Harari, Y. N. (2014). Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind. Harper.
Koch, C. (2018). The Feeling of Life Itself: Why Consciousness is Widespread but Can’t Be Computed. MIT Press.
Nagel, T. (1974). What is it like to be a bat? Philosophical Review, 83(4), 435-450.
Penrose, R., & Hameroff, S. (2011). Consciousness in the universe: Neuroscience, quantum space-time geometry, and Orch OR theory. Journal of Cosmology, 14, 1-17.
Russell, S. (2019). Human Compatible: Artificial Intelligence and the Problem of Control. Viking.
Seth, A. (2018). Being You: A New Science of Consciousness. Penguin Random House.
Tononi, G. (2008). Consciousness as integrated information: a provisional manifesto. Biological Bulletin, 215(3), 216-242.
Dehaene, S., & Lau, H. (2020). The neuronal mechanisms of consciousness: a review. Nature Reviews Neuroscience, 21(8), 440-451.
Hameroff, S. R., & Penrose, R. (2014). Consciousness in the Universe: A Review of the ‘Orch OR’ Theory. Physics of Life Reviews, 11(1), 39-78.
Tegmark, M. (2015). Consciousness as a State of Matter. Chaos, Solitons & Fractals, 76, 238-270.
Fisher, M. P. A. (2015). Quantum Cognition: The possibility of processing with nuclear spins in the brain. Annals of Physics, 362, 593-602.
Fukuyama, F. (2002). Our Posthuman Future: Consequences of the Biotechnology Revolution. Farrar, Straus and Giroux.
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