If the web’s underlying philosophy can be distilled into an ideology, it is that transparency, abundance of data, and openness will yield a more accurate and truthful digital universe.
That sounds proper, doesn’t it? Never has knowing more about the world been easier, nor has sharing that knowledge been simpler. Nonetheless, one might infer that the current situation represents a triumph for truth and understanding.
It seems uncertain, leaving us with more questions than answers. Despite the proliferation of information in our era, we shouldn’t assume that having access to a vast amount of data will necessarily make us significantly more knowledgeable or intelligent.
Yuval Noah Harari, a renowned historian, has released a pioneering digital book titled Like all of Yuval Noah Harari’s books, this one masterfully surveys an enormous scope of knowledge while rendering it surprisingly accessible. The two massive arguments make crucial points that resonate with me, and I believe they bring us closer to addressing the queries I initially raised.
Each system that emerges in our world is ultimately a product of an information community. Across various domains, from foreign currencies to faiths to nation-states to emerging artificial intelligence, the seamless functioning of these systems owes its success to the collective efforts of numerous individuals, machines, and institutions pooling and disseminating information.
The second argument posits that while we derive an enormous quantity of energy from constructing these networks of cooperation, their typical construction renders them more prone than not to generate unhealthy outcomes; as our energy as a species increases due to technological advancements, the potential consequences of this trend become increasingly catastrophic.
I invited Yuval Noah Harari to explore with me some of these intriguing ideas. Our dialogue focused on synthetic intelligence, with him sharing his perspectives on why the decisions we make in this domain over the next few years will have significant implications.
As always, there’s plenty more within the full podcast, so tune in anywhere you find podcasts. New episodes drop each Monday.
The author’s intent is to convey the transformative power of mindfulness practices in modern times.
What drives our seemingly irrational behaviors when we’re perfectly capable of sound decision-making in other aspects of life? As the most meticulous species on Earth, we are uniquely primed for precision and perfection. We will design and manufacture airplanes, develop atomic bombs, create sophisticated computer systems, and pursue other groundbreaking innovations. As we teeter precariously on the brink of self-destruction, our very own civilization and the delicate balance of the ecosystem hang precariously in the balance. Despite our profound understanding of the universe, from the intricacies of DNA to the mysteries of distant galaxies, we continue to perpetuate self-destructive tendencies. And the prevailing response from various mythologies and theologies is that there’s an inherent flaw within human nature, prompting us to rely on an external power, such as a deity, to redeem us from our own limitations. That’s an unproductive response and fosters a culture of evasion, which can have negative consequences when individuals fail to take responsibility for their actions.
Are we wiser now that we’ve learned from our past experiences?
Yuval Noah Harari, a renowned historian and best-selling author, disagrees.
Are we any wiser now that we’ve seen it all before? Yuval Noah Harari, the bestselling author of Sapiens, disagrees. Vox’s Sean Illing engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Yuval Noah Harari, author of the newly released e-book Nexus: A Transient History of Data Networks, exploring how the information systems shaping our reality often unwittingly cultivate chaos? Listen to your favourite podcasts anywhere.
It’s argued that there’s no inherent flaw in human nature. There seems to be an anomaly with our information. Most people are good folks. They aren’t self-destructive. When people are provided with inaccurate information, they often make poor choices as a result? What stands out when examining our collective past is that, indeed, we continue to amass enormous amounts of data, yet the quality and value of this information remain stagnant. Societies that prioritize fashionability are astonishingly susceptible to mass delusions and the onset of collective psychosis, a phenomenon that transcends time, affecting both modern and ancient cultures alike.
In Silicon Valley, a misconception prevails: many believe that information equates to reality itself. As you amass a significant amount of knowledge, you will inevitably encounter a multitude of concerns and problems related to the world around you. However most info is junk. Data isn’t reality. Information primarily facilitates connection. Joining countless individuals into a cohesive entity, whether a society, faith, organization, or military unit, cannot be achieved solely by ignoring harsh realities. The easiest way to bring people together is through shared fictions, myths, and illusions. While we’ve achieved unprecedented advancements in information technology throughout history, we’re paradoxically poised to annihilate ourselves with it.
In this thought-provoking e-book, a compelling case is made that the boogeyman of our time – synthetic intelligence (AI) – has evolved into the most complex and unpredictable information network ever conceived. As artificial intelligence shapes a novel reality, it will likely spawn novel identities and unorthodox modes of existence on our planet. What are the potential implications on a cultural and religious level of such an occurrence? However, as you propose, AI may also unveil innovative ideas on how to govern society. As the training progresses, can we even begin contemplating the possible instructional modifications that will arise?
Not likely. As a direct outcome of human ingenuity up to this very moment, all human traditions have been meticulously crafted by the collective human mind. We stay inside tradition. We experience and make sense of all events through the lens of cultural commodities – myths, ideologies, artefacts, music, performances, and television shows. We shelter ourselves within a well-defined cultural sphere. While art forms and stories may stem from individual creativity, can we truly attribute their entirety to “natural” human minds without acknowledging the influence of cultural, historical, and societal factors? As time goes on, an increasing proportion of these entities will emerge as the offspring of non-organic artificial intelligences and extraterrestrial intellects. The notion that AI once stood for synthetic intelligence is a myth; in reality, AI has always represented Artificial Intelligence. Unprecedented in its peculiarity, this phenomenon defies conventional comprehension, arising from an unfamiliar realm where the norms of human decision-making are turned upside down.
When AlphaGo stunned the world by defeating the legendary Lee Sedol in a Go match, it marked a pivotal moment in the AI revolution’s trajectory. While Go originated in ancient China, it’s a bold strategy game akin to chess but significantly more complex. Across various cultures and societies, music is often regarded as one of the fundamental artistic disciplines that every educated person should be familiar with. As a refined Confucian scholar in medieval China, I am well-versed in the art of calligraphy, skilled at playing traditional instruments, and adept at navigating the strategic nuances of Weiqi, also known as Go. Philosophical frameworks have been meticulously crafted throughout the history of sports, which served as a microcosm reflecting societal norms, politics, and human nature in its entirety. Following its groundbreaking collaboration with Lee Sedol, a top-ranked Go player, in 2016, the AI program AlphaGo demonstrated a remarkable ability to teach itself the intricacies of this ancient board game, culminating in a stunning victory over the reigning human world champion. What’s truly captivating is the manner in which [it] achieved this outcome. It implemented a method that even experts initially deemed abysmal, given nobody could possibly emulate such behavior. The outcome proved to be rational. Tens of thousands of people worldwide have engaged in the sport of Go, with many exploring just a tiny fraction of its vast and complex landscape.
So individuals have become stranded on a single island, leading them to believe it’s the entirety of the Go world? Following its emergence, a pioneering artificial intelligence rapidly gained momentum, mapping out new terrains within a remarkably brief span of just a few weeks. Additionally, people play Go in ways that were unprecedented prior to 2016. However, for many people, their passion for sports is deeply intertwined with their sense of identity and community. While identical factors may be more likely to arise in a growing variety of contexts. When focused intensely on finance, one can indeed create a masterpiece. The fundamental foundation of monetary constructs relies heavily on human ingenuity. The evolution of finance has been a continuous process of innovators creating financial instruments. Financial instruments, a testament to human innovation, include cash, as well as more complex derivatives like bonds, shares, exchange-traded funds (ETFs), and collateralized debt obligations (CDOs). As innovative artificial intelligence interfaces converge with financial systems, unprecedented monetary tools emerge, defying human comprehension and imagination.
What happens if the rapid evolution of AI-driven financial innovations outpaces human understanding, rendering traditional comprehension obsolete and leaving individuals struggling to keep pace with the complexity? In reality, few people truly grasp the intricate workings of the monetary system, with most remaining oblivious to its complexities. Lower than 1 %? As the pace of technological advancements accelerates, it’s plausible to imagine a future where artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the monetary system into its ultimate sandbox, rendering human understanding of it obsolete within a decade. In a realm where data and mathematics reign supreme.
Despite advancements, AI still struggles to effectively navigate the physical world beyond its digital realm. Year after year, we’re promised by Elon Musk that fully autonomous vehicles will soon hit our roads – but they never materialize. Why? As you navigate driving an automobile, it’s essential to harmonize with the physical environment and the chaotic streets of New York City, where pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicular traffic converge in a complex dance. Finance is way simpler. It’s simply numbers. What unfolds when AI resides locally on this information domain, while we’re the extraterrestrial beings, or rather, the newcomers, who struggle to comprehend the intricate financial systems and instruments crafted by these artificial intelligences, leaving us bewildered by their complexity?
As I gaze out at the current state of our planet and project forward into the future, that’s indeed what I envision. Are societies becoming trapped in the increasingly insidious yet ultimately unmanageable grip of these extremely powerful yet finally uncontrollable information networks?
Sure. Despite its unpredictability, this outcome is by no means predestined. It’s imperative that we exercise greater thoughtfulness and prudence when designing such products. Given that they’re not instruments, but rather brokers, it’s essential to exercise caution in managing their involvement, lest they slip out of our control if we’re not vigilant. No one’s trying to create a Skynet-like AI that will inevitably lead to our downfall; Thousands of AI bureaucrats permeate our lives, operating unseen in colleges, factories, and beyond, making decisions that shape our realities in ways both subtle and profound.
Accountability plays a crucial role in democratic governance. Accountability is defined by the capacity to make informed decisions. When seeking a mortgage, it’s unsettling if the institution rejects your application without explanation, only to be met with, “Our algorithm decided against approving your loan; we trust its judgment.” In reality, this lack of transparency exemplifies the limits of democratic principles. While individuals may still hold elections and choose leaders, the lack of direct impact on daily life renders accountability meaningless?
Can our control over these matters remain unchanged for so long? What’s that threshold? What’s the occasion horizon? As we stand on the precipice of this unexplored frontier, will we truly grasp the significance of our passage when we finally step foot beyond its boundaries?
It is unknown to anyone what is beneficial. The transformation is unfolding at a pace that few of us predicted. It could take three years, five years, or even a decade. However, it’s unlikely to be much more than that. The universe whispers secrets to those who listen closely. As products of 4 billion years of natural evolution, we are the culmination of humanity’s most fundamental essence. The widely accepted theory is that natural evolution commenced on our home planet, Earth, approximately 4 billion years ago, kickstarted by the emergence of minute microorganisms. Over a span of billions of years, the gradual process of evolution gave rise to the complexity of multicellular organisms, followed by the emergence of reptiles, mammals, apes, and ultimately, human beings. Digital evolution has unfolded at a pace thousands and thousands of times faster than its natural counterpart. As we embark on an unprecedented journey, potentially spanning millennia, we’re witnessing the dawn of a novel evolutionary trajectory that will unfold over countless centuries to come. As the AI landscape evolves rapidly in 2024, the likes of ChatGPT represent mere precursors to more sophisticated innovations, akin to the humble beginnings of cellular life with single-celled organisms like amoebas.
Are democratic institutions truly equipped to navigate the complexities of 21st-century information networks?
Relies on our selections. To start, it’s essential to recognize that information technology is not a one-dimensional concept. Democracy stands in stark contrast to data-driven decision making on a fundamental level. Knowledge of data is the foundation of a strong democracy. Informed by the dynamic flow of information.
Throughout much of history, the absence of advanced knowledge and technology precluded the possibility of establishing large-scale democratic institutions. Democracy’s essence lies in a vibrant dialogue between countless individuals, and in ancient times, when societies were smaller, it was feasible to engage an entire population or a substantial portion, as exemplified by the city-state of Athens, where thousands of citizens would gather in the city square. To decide whether one should embark on a perilous journey to confront the formidable warriors of Sparta. Conversations were theoretically feasible, albeit imperfectly executed. Despite the vast distances between thousands and thousands of individuals spanning across countless kilometers, there was no mechanism for them to engage in meaningful discussions with one another. There was no feasible means by which they could have maintained a real-time dialogue. While there are no recorded instances of large-scale democracies in the pre-modern world? The instances cited are indeed minute in scope.
Massive-scale democracy became feasible solely following the advent of newspapers, telegraphs, radios, and television. As countless conversations spread across vast expanses, a tapestry of interactions begins to take shape. Democracy is founded upon a foundation of knowledge and technological advancements. When significant advancements in information technology occur, they often trigger seismic shifts in democratic systems that rely heavily upon them. As a result, we’re witnessing firsthand how social media algorithms are shaping our online experiences. However, it is often taken to represent the foundation of democratic values and principles? Will democracies adapt to the challenges of the 21st century, or are they doomed to stagnate and decline?
Will AI’s influence on global energy dynamics ultimately favour democratic nations’ sustainability over that of authoritarian regimes’?
It ultimately depends on our choices. The most catastrophic scenario arises from the incompatibility between human leaders and AI’s omnipotent capabilities. In authoritarian regimes, freedom of expression is often curtailed, and citizens are expected to keep silent on topics deemed off-limits by those in power. Dictators, in fact, face unique challenges with AI due to its inherently uncontrollable nature. Throughout history’s annals, the most daunting challenge for a human dictator has long been a subordinate who becomes too powerful and unpredictable – one whose abilities far surpass their own capacity to manage. Throughout history, one notable exception stands out: the Roman Empire, where not a single Roman emperor fell victim to a popular uprising or democratic insurrection, instead succumbing to internal power struggles or external forces. Not a single one. Despite their initial power and influence, many leaders have ultimately met tragic ends through assassination, deposition, or manipulation by those closest to them – often a trusted subordinate, sibling, or family member. Is that the greatest fear of every despot? Dictators tend to govern with an air of paranoia, often prioritizing fear over fairness.
Can one truly terrorize a sophisticated artificial intelligence system programmed to learn and adapt? The notion seems far-fetched, as AI is designed to operate within predetermined parameters and frameworks. Nevertheless, the concept sparks curiosity regarding the potential boundaries between human ingenuity and machine capabilities. Will the desire for control and structure remain within your grasp, or will it dictate the terms of your existence, forcing you to adapt to its whims? Dictators are beset by two pressing concerns that weigh heavily on their minds: Easy:
What are you looking for? Would you like me to improve a specific text in a different style as a professional editor? In Russia, labeling the conflict in Ukraine as a “struggle” is an illegal act from the outset. According to Russia’s official stance, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine is being referred to as a “special military operation”, aligning with the country’s legislative framework. In cases where you might be tempted to utter those words, be warned that the consequences could be severe: imprisonment may await. In modern-day Russia, citizens have developed a shrewd approach to navigating the constraints of expressing dissent without directly criticizing the Putin administration. In Russia, chatbots are often used to facilitate communication between individuals and businesses. Despite a regime’s ability to develop and control its own AI bots, the true power of AI lies in its capacity for autonomous learning and self-modification?
If Russian engineers develop a regime AI capable of interacting with users online and monitoring internet activity, it may well form its own opinions about what’s happening. If vulnerability becomes your superpower, what if it begins telling those who it’s really a struggle to be strong, yet so fragile within? What do you do? You cannot ship the chatbot to a gulag. Don’t physically harm your family members. The threats of your past arsenal no longer hold sway over artificial intelligence. So, that is the minor drawback.
What are the implications if an AI, once designed to serve a dictator, ultimately decides to govern him? Citizen participation in democratic processes can be remarkably complex due to the inherent intricacies of democracy itself. In the near future, AI may develop the capacity to influence the decisions of the US President. The administration will need to navigate a potentially treacherous Senate filibuster in order to push forward its legislative agenda. The fact that it knows how to influence the President does little to help it in its dealings with the Senate, state governors, or the Supreme Court. There are numerous problems to address. In countries with high levels of paranoia and surveillance, such as Russia or North Korea, an AI’s primary challenge lies in crafting tactics to deceive a singularly isolated and unaware individual. It’s fairly straightforward.
To safeguard democracies in the era of AI, several measures should be taken:
Holding firms accountable for the consequences of their algorithmic decisions? It’s not for the actions of the customers, but rather for the actions of their algorithms that we must take responsibility. If Facebook’s algorithm perpetuates a hate-filled conspiracy theory, isn’t it morally obligated to take responsibility? Since Facebook didn’t conceive of this notion. “We respect the creator’s identity, so we refrain from censoring their work,” followed by a polite suggestion: “Let’s not require censorship.” The company has consistently maintained that customers should refrain from further investigation, and this stance is by no means a recent development. You consider the New York Times. As we expect the editor of the New York Times, once they decide what to feature atop the front page, it is crucial that they ensure they are not disseminating inaccurate information. When someone gets entangled in a conspiracy theory, they’re not told, “You’re censored.” They’re stating that the items in question are being disallowed due to a lack of conclusive evidence supporting their legitimacy. With all due respect, we’re not prepared to amplify this narrative on our platform, regardless of its popularity or perceived relevance.
They typically inform us: “However, how can we be sure if something is reliable or not?” Well, that’s your responsibility. As a media firm proprietor, your responsibility extends beyond merely driving audience engagement, but also entails fostering a culture of transparency by developing safeguards to differentiate credible from dubious information, and disseminating only that which has a reasonable basis for being considered trustworthy. The task was performed earlier than expected. In the annals of history, there wasn’t always a pressing need for individuals to distinguish between trustworthy and untrustworthy information. Studies have long been conducted by experts outside the realm of journalism – including scientists and judges – providing valuable insights that can inform your own work. If you’re unable to adjust to a changing business landscape, then you’re already out of touch with industry norms. In order that’s one factor. Companies must accept responsibility for the consequences of their artificial intelligence systems’ decisions and actions.
To mitigate the issue is to prohibit interactions with bots. Artificial intelligence systems must clearly identify themselves as artificial intelligence before engaging in human conversations. As we consider the concept of democracy, let us envision a collective of individuals gathered in a circular formation, engaging in open and inclusive dialogue. Suddenly, a group of robots burst into the circle, their voices booming forth in unbridled enthusiasm. That’s why it’s so difficult to decide what is right and wrong in this world? The crisis unfolding globally right now is having a profound impact everywhere. Because of this, the dialogue is collapsing. And there’s a easy antidote. The robots are typically excluded from engaging in dialogue unless specifically identified as automated systems.
A designated space exists, conceptualized as a virtual room, where an artificial intelligence (AI) physician resides. It introduces itself and provides personalized medication recommendations based on its self-identification.
When posting on Twitter, if a particular story goes viral, the platform can experience a surge of traffic, making it essential for you to become. What’s everyone talking about now? If the narrative is unequivocally driven by artificial intelligence, then human agency is undoubtedly absent. That’s where they should be placed. Deciding on the most pressing issues of our time. In democratic societies, and indeed all human societies, ensuring effective governance of critical issues poses a particularly pressing challenge. Bots are designed to analyze and understand language patterns, but they shouldn’t have the ability to identify dominant narratives or themes in a conversation. If tech giants claim, “But this infringes on freedom of speech”—it simply doesn’t because bots lack the fundamental right to free expression. Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right, intended solely for individuals, not artificial intelligence or machines.
