{"id":16520,"date":"2024-08-12T17:24:04","date_gmt":"2024-08-12T17:24:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/aurelis.org\/blog\/?p=16520"},"modified":"2024-08-12T17:24:05","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T17:24:05","slug":"replacing-or-essentially-upgrading-people","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/aurelis.org\/blog\/artifical-intelligence\/replacing-or-essentially-upgrading-people","title":{"rendered":"Replacing or Essentially Upgrading People?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

It\u2019s often said that \u201cA.I. should not replace people.\u201d This common refrain might obscure deeper issues of human value and purpose in the face of advancing technology. I think the aim can better be worded as \u201cA.I. should not diminish people\u2019s worthiness.\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

This may entail \u201cA.I. replacing people in their present-day jobs.\u201d If certain aspects of a job can be improved, that would be okay. If the whole job can be replaced, it is also okay.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

But only with careful and profound consideration.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The idea that \u201cA.I. should not replace people\u201d may make us stop thinking it through, which is to be avoided under any circumstance. In this case, it\u2019s the road toward resistance until the dreaded outcome is pushed through by coercion \u2014 for instance, because of a competitive environment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s wiser to approach the issue with essential, deep thinking. Additional Idea: Essential thinking here means questioning not just what we can replace but what we should aspire to become.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Upgrading people?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The significant changes ahead demand authentic philosophical reflection \u2014 rooted not just in concepts but in profound ethical considerations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enhancing humanity ultimately necessitates deep wisdom about our true nature. Wisdom here involves understanding both our current limitations and our potential for growth, aligning with a natural evolution rather than forced transformation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Must we work to justify our worth in the first place? And if not through work, where do we derive respect and self-respect?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Being \u2018replaceable\u2019 brings the risk of being meaningless.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thus, it\u2019s prudent to begin with the notion that people are fundamentally irreplaceable. Whatever A.I. may accomplish, it must enhance people. Increasing economic productivity isn\u2019t the only path forward. Even more, in the long term, we will have to abandon this entirely. A shift in focus towards personal and societal well-being, beyond mere economic metrics, could redefine progress in a more holistic manner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Of course, we\u2019re not there yet, but it may already help in our thinking.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Compassionate A.I. (C.A.I.)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

By its nature, C.A.I. doesn\u2019t aim to replace people. However, it can think very well in terms of replacing jobs \u2014 any job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the latter case, if people derive their self-respect from doing their job, there are several possibilities, such as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n