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AI Mind Trap: Unleashing the Power of Thought or Losing Our Humanity?
Exploring the Impact of Artificial Intelligence on the Essence of Being Human
“How will advances in mental prosthetics that connect us with other human and machine minds change the way we think about expertise?”—Tania Lombrozo, Professor of Psychology, UC Berkeley
“The essence of technology is by no means anything technological”— Martin Heidegger, Question Concerning Technology
Picture a machine with infinite knowledge, spitting out answers to life’s greatest questions. It’s like a sci-fi dream come true, and I can’t shake the feeling that the ultimate answer is 42. But don’t bother asking me about the meaning of life or what it’s like to exist in a world devoid of sensation — ChatGPT has that covered.
But as we race to create the ultimate thinking machine, we seem to be losing touch with the essence of thought itself and our presence in this world. What kind of thinking has become so tiresome to our species that the mere idea of machines taking on the load sends shivers of excitement down our spines? Why bother thinking about anything beyond the bare necessities?
But if we do pull it off, what becomes of our “sum” when there’s no more “cogito” left? Ergo, while cautiously navigating this brave new world of artificial intelligence (AI), we must reflect on the true meaning of thought and consciousness to ensure we don’t lose ourselves in the process.
The Rise of Artificial Intelligence
As AI continues to advance at an unprecedented rate, we find ourselves asking: Are we unleashing the power of thought or losing our humanity? With machines now capable of answering our questions and solving our problems, we must consider the consequences of unloading our “cogito” onto them. As Elon Musk once said, “AI is likely to either be the best or worst thing ever to happen to humanity, so it’s important that we get it right” (Recode…
