In the story of Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden. Adam was told he could till the ground and eat freely of all the trees in the garden, except for the tree of knowledge of good and evil. Eve and Adam decided to eat from the tree and as a result had to leave the Garden and experience good and evil.
Fast forward to present day with the emergence of artificial intelligence (Ai), are we facing a similar dilemma to Adam and Eve?
But first look at Ai. Science fiction depicts Ai as androids ruling the world, enslaving inferior humans. However, when we look at what we've created and advanced most within the world, it's the Internet and Internet of things.
A brain processes, stores, retrieves information and creates/channels ideas.
What is the Internet and Internet of things (ioT)? It's the worldwide Web connecting computers, processing, storing, retrieving information, enabling everyone in the world, with access to it, to source solutions and share ideas. We've created a global brain which anyone can access and contribute their information. The content of the Internet overall is the average global perception of the connected human race. If we were an alien wanting a quick overview of what we are like, we would only have to look at the content of the Internet.
Factor in the likes of:
- Expanding the Human Umwelt - David Eagleman’s quest for creating new senses for humans, expanding human umwelt. (Umwelt is the world as it is experienced by a particular organism).
- Seeing is Believe and Hearing - Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s pursuit to see invisible motion, hear silent sounds
- Bio-engineering? (This I find personally disturbing)
So the day we have wearable technology enabling us to connect directly to the Internet with thought alone, is getting closer.
Adam and Eve 2.0
Over recent decades’ great strides have been made towards achieving greater Inclusion, be it gender, race, faith, etc. But how additional technology lead human umwelt is distributed has the potential to create the largest societal divide since Adam and Eve. Whoever gets the enhancements potentially have a significant advantage, and it is up to them to decide whether they use it for good or not.
Until now we’ve all been equal at a human level. Now as human 2.0 is on the horizon, do we have the heart and courage to grant the upgrade to everyone? If we don't those who are left out will feel neglected and resentful, which does not bode well for living in harmony. A view shared by Yuval Harari. (2016).
If human 2.0 is granted to all, the added insight will aid harmony and understanding. This is surely what we want for our children's world, is it not?
Imagine our world where we can all have access to the global brain, if we wish. A world with growing respect and understanding of others. A world of colour, not grey, where we can be each individual, living in unity as one.
Therefore, as with Adam and Eve, we have a choice to make. Do we opt for a world divided or a world united?
Further Information:
Massachusetts Institute of Technology - http://people.csail.mit.edu/mrub/vidmag/
Biotechnology - https://www.ted.com/topics/biotech
The Future of Humankind with Yuval Harari. What is the next stage of human evolution? How will we protect this fragile planet and humankind itself from our own destructive powers? Professor and author Yuval Harari envisions our future: a not-too-distant world in which we face a new set of challenges and possibilities. With his trademark blend of science, history, philosophy and every discipline in between, Harari investigates the projects, dreams and nightmares that will shape the twenty-first century.
