September 2024
At Oxford University’s new Human-Centered AI Lab (HAI Lab), technologists and philosophers will collaborate to “translate philosophical concepts into open-source software”. Concepts such as reason, decentralisation, and human autonomy are to be embedded into the AI technologies.
“We aim to cultivate a new class of philosopher-technologists”, said philosophy professor Philipp Koralus, who is heading the new lab.
“These are individuals who ask how to build systems that truly contribute to human well-being.”
The HAI Lab is supported by the Cosmos Institute, which also launches a fellowship program, a venture initiative, and a series of educational initiatives, all to bridge the gap between philosophical texts and AI development.
“Existential pessimists warn of an impending doom where AI’s ascendancy leads to humanity’s downfall” … “accelerationists eagerly anticipate a new age where human concerns become obsolete”, noted Josipa Majic Predin in a commentary in Forbes magazine, and continued:
“The integration of philosophical wisdom with technological innovation will be crucial in navigating the challenges and opportunities of the AI age.”
“What makes us human, and will there be space for our inherent vulnerability in a hyper-optimized, AI-driven technological environment?”
That is a very good question.
But there is another good question to put to the initiators of the HAI Lab: Is the uniqueness of human consciousness sufficiently taken into account? How to make sure our innate and natural capabilities are fomented, enhanced and uplifted in parallel with the artificial variety?
There is a difference between asking ‘what makes us human?’ and ‘what is a human?’
Tech industry is concerned
The lightning-fast development of Artificial Intelligence ignites hope in some and stokes fear in others. Concern has been raised among scientists as well as cutting-edge developers.
In March of 2023, an open letter was published by a number of heavyweight researchers, entrepreneurs and intellectuals calling for an immediate pause of advanced AI development of at least six months. The letter has now been signed by more than 30,000 people.
Among the signatories was Harvard astrophysicist Max Tegmark, who has portrayed AI as an existential threat, referring back to Alan Turing’s contention that computational intelligence will at some point outsmart humans and take over if developed untethered.
“It could become a new species rather than a new machine”, Tegmark remarked.
Sam Altman, head of Open AI, said AI could eventually be “lights out for all of us”.
Historian and writer Yuval Noah Harari warned that AI has the means to “hack the operating system” of civilization.
Even Elon Musk, one of the champions of this frontline tech, highlighted the existential risks.
Defenders of AI say these concerns are merely reiterations of the worries that always surface when new technology is introduced. Tech is always neutral, and adverse effects are the result of humans employing technology in a detrimental way.
Could it be different this time? The concerned say AI is not merely a technology. They say it is a goal, a system, a concept, or an ideology that fails to recognise the agency of humans.
Interestingly, there are spiritually oriented people who are less worried. Medical doctor and spiritual leader Deepak Chopra opines that AI technology is neutral, “… but we have to be careful, because how we use it depends on our emotional and spiritual development”.
“AI will never become conscious, that is ridiculous. Information is a derivative of consciousness, not the other way around”, Dr Chopra said.
He claims AI can be a positive influence and potentially even used as a spiritual guide.
From a purely materialist standpoint, AI is often seen as the next level of engineering, particularly when combined with the latest innovations in genetic tailoring: After social engineering we now enter the age of biological engineering, which in turn opens the door to transhumanism. From a spiritual standpoint, this is where danger lurks.
An antidote would be to integrate AI development with ancient wisdom, philosophy and spirituality. The pioneering research initiative at Oxford University will be interesting to watch.
Anders Bolling
