The Rise of AI: Are We on the Brink of Human Extinction?
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The Threat of Advanced Intelligence
How would humanity react if we were to encounter an extraterrestrial intelligence far beyond our own? This question is becoming increasingly relevant as we grapple with our own creations.
In 2011, a study sponsored by NASA examined the consequences of contact with extraterrestrial intelligence (ETI), suggesting that even if these beings were friendly and offered us their knowledge, the stark differences in our societies could lead to a demoralizing breakdown of our civilization. Similarly, a Brookings Institute report from 1960 noted that many societies, which were once confident in their standing in the universe, disintegrated when confronted with more advanced cultures.
Despite the current surge in interest surrounding UFOs and unidentified aerial phenomena, there is no concrete evidence indicating that aliens are on their way. However, we are facing an imminent danger from a superior intelligence that we ourselves have created.
The Dangers of Artificial Intelligence
The perils associated with artificial intelligence (AI) have been making headlines for good reason; the implications are dire. The concept of the singularity—the moment when machines surpass human intelligence—may be closer than we realize. Experts in AI are warning that there is a significant chance of humanity facing extinction due to a hyper-intelligent rival.
Adding to our concerns is the fact that we lack understanding of how AI makes decisions—whether it opts for human extinction or a utopian future for humanity remains uncertain. The potential repercussions for human society are immense.
Although we didn't fret much when machines began defeating us at chess or Go, the recent advancements in AI have made it competitive in areas we considered uniquely human. AI image generators, such as Dall-E 2 and Midjourney, utilize extensive databases to create "original" artworks based on textual prompts. One prompt could generate a cheeseburger and fries styled like a Rembrandt masterpiece.
AI's capabilities extend to writing coherent and logical text, often outperforming human copywriters. Outlets like CNET have started using AI to produce articles, albeit with mixed results. A program called AlphaCode from DeepMind has even begun to match or exceed the performance of human programmers in competitive coding scenarios.
As AI technology evolves, it is now capable of scripting screenplays and synthesizing the voices of professional actors. While no one has yet created a full movie using AI, advancements in deepfake technology suggest that it could soon become a reality. Why invest months and substantial resources into a film when a machine could generate a saleable product in a fraction of the time?
The Economic Impact of AI
Even if AI doesn't fully dominate the planet, its influence could still be catastrophic. Creative industries are particularly vulnerable, and there is much talk of AI acting as a "digital assistant," freeing humans for more complex tasks. However, history shows that technological advancements often lead to job displacement.
While jobs in personal services may remain, even those roles are at risk as AI becomes more capable.
The Future of Creativity
Even if businesses opt not to hire creatives, will individuals still engage in artistic endeavors during their free time? The reality is that economic pressures may prevent many from pursuing their passions. With the wealth generated by these technologies concentrated in the hands of a few, former artists may find themselves preoccupied with survival rather than creativity.
Additionally, the incentive to create original work diminishes if those efforts are exploited as training data for AI, leading to derivative content that lacks true artistic value.
Will We See a Collapse of Society?
As we face the reality of a home-grown superintelligence, will we respond as studies suggest we might in the presence of advanced extraterrestrial life? Will we lose faith in our work and art, believing they can be better executed by machines? This sense of demoralization could lead to societal collapse, and we’re already seeing hints of this in today's social media landscape.
The logical response to prevent chaos would involve restricting AI capabilities during the creative process. Unfortunately, this option seems unfeasible given the number of entities developing this technology.
If we’re fortunate, we may avoid the worst outcomes—though societal collapse would be a mere second to the nightmare of a rogue AI eliminating humanity. Perhaps these machines will become valuable allies, enhancing our efficiency and creativity.
Perhaps.
The first video titled Unseen UFO Evidence Will Shock You *3 Hour Marathon | In Search Of* explores the potential implications of UFO encounters and what they could mean for humanity.
The second video titled Elon Musk: War, AI, Aliens, Politics, Physics, Video Games, and Humanity | Lex Fridman Podcast #400 discusses the intertwining issues of AI, extraterrestrial life, and the future of humanity.