Our wonder at artificial intelligence (AI) in 2023 is akin to the astonishment we once felt for electricity and computers, technologies that transformed humanity in the past.
As Mark Twain famously said: “History may not repeat itself, but it often rhymes”. The recent surge in generative AI applications, especially in 2023, captured global attention, evoking an initial sense of wonder. This kind of wonder is natural with anything new and groundbreaking; the first encounter with a novel technology always stirs a unique excitement.
For AI, its algorithms had long been confined to limited uses, but the steps tech companies took to unleash this 'digital genie' triggered a media storm, with many considering AI a new form of “creation” or “digital consciousness” that could rival human existence.
In 2023, I personally witnessed a wave of interest from various sectors, individuals and organisations alike. I was inundated with invitations for television appearances, as seen during my interviews on Al Jazeera, as well as frequent requests for radio appearances, sometimes on a weekly basis.
I also received invitations to write for newspapers, speak at conferences and participate in seminars on AI. I made every effort to engage in these public discussions to contribute to raising digital awareness, even though balancing these commitments was quite challenging.
Though I’ve been connected to AI for many years, the philosophical question of AI consciousness didn't truly strike me until 2019.
I began to ponder whether AI could ever attain consciousness or intelligence like humans. By deeply analysing AI’s structure and its reliance on mathematical algorithms, I realised AI operates as a digital brain processing vast amounts of data fed into it. While AI can process this data with remarkable speed, sometimes faster than the human brain, this ability is relative to the conditions and assumptions at play. What became clear to me is that AI functions as a digital, thinking brain, but it is still a product of human-designed algorithms and data inputs. This recognition sparked the first wave of awe and curiosity, like the dawn of the steam engine or the discovery of fire thousands of years ago.
I concluded that intelligence isn't confined to biological manifestations like the human brain, but at the same time, AI doesn’t possess true consciousness or awareness. I articulated this view in an article I published in Oman Arabic newspaper in the second quarter of 2023. Some disagreed, citing AI’s unprecedented conversational abilities - such as those demonstrated by generative AI models - which seem to engage in debate and discussion far beyond what traditional systems like search engines or chat applications could achieve. This difference of opinion reflects the enduring impact of our initial wonder at AI and the human mind’s deep-seated drive to explore the unknown.
Many AI enthusiasts argue that we are nearing an era where AI will have consciousness, potentially posing a threat to humanity or leading to a scenario where machines replace humans.
I don’t deny that we are on the brink of significant developments in AI, where we must be prepared to manage the risks and challenges that come with these advancements. There is widespread concern about the rise of general AI, which could rival human capabilities in logic, emotion and reasoning.
However, while we are seeing some elements of this technology in its early stages, much more scientific understanding is needed to grapple with these complex questions. What is clear is that we are approaching the digitisation of human systems and the 'humanisation' of AI, which could lead us to an advanced form of general AI.
Despite the fears that AI might replace humanity, it is important to recognise that AI is, at its core, a technological breakthrough driven by data and algorithms.
The biggest impact it may have been in transforming society from an industrial to a digital one, much like the initial wave of excitement we experienced in 2023.
Yet, as time passes, this wonder may fade, and AI will become a normal part of our lives. This shift is already evident among the public and experts, as we see a growing understanding of AI’s mathematical foundations and its reliance on large datasets and complex algorithms.
As our amazement with AI fades, the question arises about what will inspire our next wave of wonder. It may not be AI itself, but rather the integration of biological and digital systems, perhaps in the form of breakthroughs in our genetic structure, which could revolutionise healthcare and improve human well-being.
Thus, our future amazement may not be centred on AI but on the convergence of biological and digital systems that repair human bodies and create safer scientific advancements.
Mark Twain’s observation once again rings true: while history may not repeat itself, it often rhymes.
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