When you study, talk, and write about future trends, you obviously cannot escape AI. The question is, where is this all going? I have been pondering this for a while. With no answers. Until I saw a post by Gerd Leonard about Sadhguru.
The book pendulum
I have read many books on this topic. Actually writing a book about books about AI. 24 books and counting. A lot of those books swing on the pendulum of artificial versus natural. The question I am getting back to is whether a future AI could trigger the observer effect. Now there is a can of worms.
Inspiration and optimism
I am inspired by Neal Ashers´ science fiction, heartened by the end of Mo Gawdat´s book “Scary Smart”. I am optimistic when you start combining this with other technologies such as quantum computing and synthetic biology (to name just a few) and the developments in technology abstraction (making complex technology as simple and intuitive as LEGO). Allowing for a future Cambrian explosion of innovation. Solving all the problems we are currently facing and more.
Transhumanism and technosocialism
This brings you into the realm of transhumanism and technosocialism, potentially offering us a bright and definitely interesting future.
WTF
But then Tim O´Reilly, the author of “WTF” recommends you watch this video:
You start to get less optimistic. Combine that with Gerd Leonard’s “Technology vs humanity“. Covering the risk that we will be losing our humanity. Automation is exploding because it’s abundantly clear that humans are expensive, slow, and often inefficient, whereas machines are cheap, fast, ultra-efficient, and becoming exponentially more so. Basically, AI taking over. What then? I am pretty sure universal basic income is not going to cut it.
Books about books
I wrote about it before in “The future, slow down or go faster”, “Sensemaking” and “The power of the mind” Do we try to catch up with technology or do we go the other way and slow down? Less technical, more spiritual? Body intelligence (Ayurveda), spiritual intelligence or maybe beyond intelligence?
Sadhguru
When you consider spiritual intelligence, you automatically end up with Sadhguru. I am a fan of Sadhguru. I love his book “Karma”. His book “Inner Engineering” is even better. You should watch this video:
Artificial intelligence versus natural intelligence. Maybe there is the answer? The inward journey to self-awareness as the antidote to AI dominance. Regardless, it will be a while before AI will have a soul, if ever. But how would we know?
What do you think? Love to hear your thoughts.
