Artificial intelligence (AI) is creeping into our daily lives now, especially the lives of those who spend significant time online. But what is it? Every new technology carries advantages, disadvantages, and risks. What makes AI any different?
We hear dark mutterings about a future cohabiting the globe with AI and AI-powered robots, watch various portrayals in video media (“Matrix,” the visionary Spike Jonze film “Her,” the “Terminator” series, and so many others), and read about Neuralink, World Economic Forum admiration of a dark transhuman future -the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and hear echos of the “Silicon Valley” technocrats and thought leaders that have convinced themselves that the humans are obsolete and must be replaced by machines that will be more responsible stewards of both earth and the future.
Those who follow this substack and my various lectures and podcasts may have noticed that I am starting to explore the many ethical issues associated with Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the interfaces between humanity and AI. I am particularly interested in the interfaces of PsyWar and AI, human/transhumanism and AI, Austrian school economic theory and AI, and corporatism/globalism/global government and AI. Like many, I have a vague understanding of what is commonly referred to as AI, but I need more depth and expertise to understand the implications and ethics associated with this tech.
Are these topics too far “outside of my lane”? What is my relevant background and experience? Why should you, the reader, want to follow along on this exploratory journey?
From 1980 to 1982, I was a computer science student trained in computer architecture and programming (coding) fundamentals, including a handful of programming languages – some still used. During the early years of the COVIDcrisis, I collaborated closely with a highly skilled and experienced computer scientist employed at MIT Lincoln Laboratories (focusing on repurposing drugs for COVID treatment), and he coached me on the basics of Artificial Intelligence. More recently, I have invested a few years in developing an advanced understanding of PsyWar, transhumanism, and globalism. I have a solid background in bioethics and first-hand experience with the cultures and ethical issues arising during cutting-edge, innovative technical research and application development. I am skilled at reviewing, synthesizing, and summarizing technical information. I want to understand how AI will impact my life and those around me so that I can be more prepared for the future and mitigate some risks.
That is the toolkit I bring to address these issues. If you’d like to follow along with the resulting essays, we can then decide whether that is enough.
Let’s start by defining some key terms and concepts.
What is “Artificial Intelligence”
Artificial Intelligence (AI) refers to computer systems or algorithms that mimic intelligent human behavior. It enables machines to:
- Reason and make decisions
- Discover patterns and relationships in data
- Generalize and apply knowledge to new situations
- Learn from past experiences and adapt to new information
AI systems are developed by processing vast amounts of data to identify patterns, model decision-making, and generate outputs such as predictions, recommendations, or decisions. This capability has been achieved, in part, by studying the patterns of the human brain and analyzing cognitive processes. However, the current generation of “narrow” AI has more to do with comparative data-set analysis (“machine learning” or “deep learning”) than advanced concepts involving neural network modeling of the human brain and cognition, although current concepts in human neurobiology are being applied to inform the development of advanced artificial intelligence capabilities.
You may be wondering whether computer-based AI can achieve consciousness or sentience. If so, you will enjoy reading this essay published in Psychology Today by physician Robert Lanza, one of the leading proponents of the emerging thought space known as “Biocentrism.”
Full article here:
