AI (Artificial Intelligence) is the defining set of technologies for the next decade. This blog will show how AI affects our human values, and how we will cope with this shift.
AI has and will revolutionise industries, shaping innovation, and fundamentally transforming the way we live, work, and interact with the world around us.
The scary fact is that the AI revolution is in its infancy. Despite this, it has already significantly affected the way things are. We must spend time discussing and considering ways in which AI will undermine our human value.
Moreover, what will our place be as we become increasingly reliant on AI systems?
Defining Our Human Value
Our human worth can be defined in various ways, but I believe that the most significant impact of AI on our value will be particularly evident in terms of our economic worth.
Marx defined value as the labour applied to a commodity or good.
I think that there are some obvious objections to these simple definitions, at a basic level, we can expect that if a human takes more time to make something, then it will usually cost more than a basic product which has been churned out by a machine.
Mass Production vs Craftmanship
Capitalist mass production and manufacturing have already significantly affected the ability of humans to hold his or her value.
If you think back to the time before mass production, it would take a skilled labourer or craftsman a lot of time to build the skills to produce a complex good.
For example, the creation of a pair of shoes, a piece of clothing, or a bag requires an individual to possess comprehensive knowledge about each stage of the process. Arguably, the knowledge required to produce such goods, which was not easily accessible (as individuals had to undergo apprenticeships), held greater intrinsic value.
Access to Information
In this information age, where knowledge can be freely passed on, there certainly are opportunities to capitalise on this market. We can certainly witness the rise in this market with the data and existing projections on the e-learning market:
The AI Threat to Human Value
In the same way that mass manufacturing has meant that factory workers are replaceable, AI likely will affect white-collar industries in ways that reduce the need to learn skills.
AIs will one day, master the deep processing and analysis which makes humans unique in the animal kingdom. The human role may end up devolving to that of glorified button pushers. Never has the Little Britain, Computer Says “No” sketch seemed so apt.
Creative Fields at Risk?
In a benign future, we might expect that AI will allow us to get rid of boring jobs that people don’t like to do. However, I think that there is a danger that generative AIs will simply take the jobs of many artists, actors, writers, etc.
In fact, sometimes I utilise generative AI in my blogging to rephrase some sentences here and there, and to give me suggestions of topics to include.
There have even been some instances of AI being used on social media to make AI Influencers which actually have earned their creators hundreds of thousands. This first reveals how capable AI is and will continue to become. Furthermore, isn’t this depressing? Some people work hard to develop their skills and talents, yet AI can, in one fail swoop, achieve a lifetime of work.
AI has also extended into the world of romance. Aside from having a hand in mate selection through algorithms, it is now the way out. AI Chatbots are actually becoming some people’s solution to romance.
AIs take Advantage of Human Weakness
Regrettably, while it’s unlikely that AI will develop emotions for people in a manner comprehensible to us, is that a requirement?
On our Education Lounge Podcast, we had an episode where we talked about AI, and we agreed with the point that AI will reach that point of being able to trick us. A key point of agreement among the participants was the inevitable progression of AI to a point where it possesses the capacity to skillfully deceive us.
Intriguingly, this ability to mislead doesn’t hinge on the development of authentic emotions within AI. Instead, the discussion led us to ponder the fascinating prospect that AI could simulate emotions so convincingly that it blurs the lines between artificial and human experiences.
This raises profound questions about the evolving dynamics of our interactions with intelligent systems, challenging us to reevaluate the nature of trust, empathy, and understanding in the ever-evolving landscape of technology and human connection.
Can our brains cope with this?
We haven’t exactly evolved alongside AIs. We have already shown ourselves incapable of coping with social media: 10% are addicted, and this is probably an understatement.
AIs Detrimental to Human Development?
An AI girlfriend is a being that we can always interact with, always gives us what we want, never has to conflict with us and can be moulded to our liking (or even evolve).
How is this good for human development? Is being given exactly what we want all the time ever a good thing? In my view, we tread down an increasingly more perilous path.
AI will also be better able to take advantage of our weaknesses with its ability to learn and process. Furthermore, as AI combines with robotics, I see the possibility in the future of partners who are entirely silicon.
Imagine a sex partner who has no limitations over what he/she will do to please you. No boundaries. No refusals, arguing or compromise. Infinite opportunity to be as selfish as you want to be.
Fully realistic sex robots may seem like a far-off dream at the moment, but I believe that its day will come. On this, I depart from one of my heroes, Charlie Munger:
It may seem utopian, but I believe it will ultimately destroy our mental frame.
Redefining Human Value
For a long time, we’ve mainly judged a person’s worth based on economic factors like their skills and hourly wages. The rise of AI forces us to stop and think about how our ideas of value and meaning might change.
Defining our new human value in the age of advancing technology involves embracing a multidimensional perspective that goes beyond traditional economic metrics. Here are six aspects to consider:
- Emotional Intelligence: Emotional intelligence, including empathy and interpersonal skills, becomes a crucial facet of our value in a world where machines may lack these capabilities.
- Creativity and Innovation: While AI can excel in repetitive tasks, the ability to generate novel ideas, think critically, and adapt to new situations remains a distinctly human strength.
- Ethical Decision-Making: Humans bring a sense of values, ethics, and moral judgment to decision-making, a dimension that AI may not inherently possess without human guidance.
- Social Connectedness: Our ability to form meaningful connections, build communities, and engage in collaborative efforts contributes to a richer human experience that extends beyond the capabilities of AI.
- Cultural and Artistic Expression: Humans contribute to the richness of society through art, literature, music, and cultural heritage, providing a unique and irreplaceable dimension to our collective human value.
- Environmental Stewardship: Human value can be reflected in our ability to care for the planet, make ethical choices regarding the environment, and work towards a harmonious coexistence with nature.
Holistic and Meaningful Existence
As we navigate the integration of AI and technology into our lives, defining human value involves recognising and nurturing these aspects that set us apart and contribute to a holistic and meaningful existence.
You might want to check out:
It requires a collective effort to shape a narrative that values the diversity, resilience, and potential for the positive impact that each individual brings to the ever-evolving human experience.
In 2024, I’ve been making particular efforts to build up my resilience to the modern world we live in by implementing changes to my way of living.
What do we have to get used to feeling?
In this new world, we might have to get used to the feeling of powerlessness. Sometime in the future, we may not be able to contribute meaningfully and produce anything that an AI system could. In other words, individuals might need to find new sources of fulfilment and motivation that go beyond economic productivity. Furthermore, we’ll have to deal with imposter syndrome as an AI will be far more capable than us at most tasks.
I think this means that we have to get used to doing something for its own sake. For instance, a graphic designer might have to pursue designs for their own intrinsic merit, rather than for economic reward. A mathematician will have to explore mathematical ideas and concepts without the incentive of pay.
Now, this might end up utopian, or it might end up becoming a bit of a dystopian nightmare. I have the feeling that whether it goes one way or the other, depends on our own ability to shift mindset.
If we were able to shift to the mindset of Epictetus, the stoic philosopher, then we might be able to feel content. However, those of us who work entirely for money and are easily bored, will find it difficult to adapt to this world of possibly infinite pleasures, or as Elon Musk put it, an age of abundance.
Conclusion
In conclusion, as we navigate the evolving landscape shaped by advancing AI and technology, it becomes imperative to redefine our understanding of human value. That’s even before we consider other aspects of the AI threat such as deepfakes and the eradication of the human race.
Embracing qualities such as emotional intelligence, creativity, adaptability, and ethical decision-making allows us to carve a distinctive space in a world increasingly influenced by artificial intelligence.
The potential for increased powerlessness prompts a reevaluation of motivations, urging individuals to find intrinsic fulfilment in their pursuits.
By acknowledging the unique strengths that make us human and fostering a holistic perspective, we can shape a future where the integration of AI complements rather than diminishes the richness of the human experience.
If you enjoyed this blog, join my mailing list for other posts like this one:
