The AI Paradox

Artificial Intelligence has emerged as a prominent subject of discussion these days despite the fact it has been around for many years. For many people, ChatGPT has served as a poignant reminder of the immense potential of AI. Riding on the waves of collective trends and interests, and thanks to its easy-to-use concept, generative AI applications have become the tool of the first half of 2023. The impact of AI on human lives is enormous and continues to evolve at an exponential rate.?

This article delves into the concept of consciousness and the connection between the human and AI drawing on the insights of famous psychiatrists, philosophers, and other experts. As AI technology continues to evolve and become more sophisticated, questions are being raised about the impact it may have on our society. Will AI replace us? Is it dangerous for our society? These concerns and many more like them have become increasingly prevalent in discussions about the future of technology.

The topic of artificial intelligence has sparked a lot of debate and speculation around its ability to possess consciousness and thought. On the one hand, we fear the potential threats that Ai may pose to our survival and existence as a species. On the other hand, we are equally fascinated by our ability to create something with such a high level of intelligence. Despite numerous attempts, humans have not been able to fully succeed in the quest of creating human-like consciousness through artificial means and it is one of our never-ending human desires as the ones for exploration of space, or oceans. Driven by an insatiable thirst for progress, the quest for AI also continues.

Some experts believe that AI could have a detrimental effect on human free will and autonomy, while others argue that AI could enhance our ability to think and make decisions. The concept of consciousness is central to the field of philosophy, and many great thinkers have explored the topic over the centuries. One of the influential philosophers on the topic of thought is Immanuel Kant. In his seminal work, "Critique of Pure Reason," Kant argued that human beings have the ability to think for themselves and make independent judgments. He believed that our ability to reason and make decisions was what made us truly human.

However, advocates for artificial intelligence argue that machines are capable of replicating human-like thought processes, including the ability to reason and make decisions independently. They raise the point that AI can be driven to think critically and autonomously, with the potential to surpass human intelligence in certain areas. There are several examples of AI exhibiting human-like thought processes and decision-making abilities, including AlphaGo when in 2016, Google's AlphaGo program defeated the world champion of the board game Go, which was thought to be too complex for computers to master. AlphaGo relied on a combination of machine learning and something very much like human intuition to make decisions, demonstrating its ability to think critically and creatively.

Let's look further at some other opinions of experts who worry that our ability to think independently may be compromised. One of the most prominent psychiatrists to express this concern is Dr. Norman Doidge, author of "The Brain That Changes Itself." According to Dr. Doidge, AI technology has the potential to alter our brain's neural pathways, leading to a loss of some degree of autonomy and free will. He argues that if we become too reliant on AI to make decisions for us, we risk losing our ability to think critically and make independent choices. This is already happening in the case of social media, where people often consume information that reinforces their existing beliefs and fails to engage with diverse viewpoints.

Other experts take a more optimistic view of the impact of AI on freedom of thought. One such philosopher is Daniel Dennett, who argues that AI could actually enhance our ability to think and reason. In his book, "Consciousness Explained," Dennett suggests that AI can help us to expand our cognitive abilities, allowing us to process more information and make better decisions. A lot of people are already utilizing generative AI, such as for image creation. When you encounter these newly generated images, do they inspire your creativity and spark new ideas? Or do you feel like your own creative abilities are being diminished as a result of working with these AI-generated images?

I am certain that the answers will vary. People will have different experiences as they interact with Ai. Moreover, this also raises questions about the nature of creativity itself. Is creativity something that is entirely unique to humans, or can it be replicated by machines? Can AI-generated content truly be considered creative, or is it simply the result of algorithms and data inputs? When we don't have answers we often say these are complex philosophical questions that require a deeper exploration of the nature of creativity and the role of technology in the creative process. Although there is some truth to this, it can also involve making the topic more intricate to arrive at a single definitive answer, instead of acknowledging the multiple meanings of the subject.

Another notable expert in the field of AI is Ray Kurzweil, an American computer scientist. Kurzweil brings up the point that as AI technology becomes more advanced, it will enable us to achieve a level of intelligence that surpasses that of human beings. He believes that this could lead to a new era of human evolution, in which we can transcend our physical limitations and achieve a level of consciousness that is beyond our current understanding.

Considering the fact that our human brain may not have reached its full potential or may have biological limitations, computers have been created to process certain operations at a much faster pace than our brains. Therefore, it is possible that we will continue to extend our brains through artificial tools to overcome the limitations of our biological capabilities.

Just as cars allow us to surpass the limitations of walking and cover large distances, humans have always strived to extend their natural capabilities through the use of various tools. Throughout history, we have developed technology to surpass our biological limitations and push the boundaries of what is possible for our species. This drive for expansion is at the heart of the artificial revolution that is currently underway.

Undoubtedly, this time the stakes are much higher as as we are tampering with one of the most precious aspects of humanity - the brain. The human brain has always been considered the pinnacle of nature, with humans being exceptional beings possessing immense potential and destined to achieve great things. However, the realization that by attempting to expand our capabilities through AI, we can be eventually replaced by our creations is instilling a sense of fear within us. We are relentlessly searching for distinct qualities that are exclusive to human beings and just cannot be replaced. This quest for validation seems to be our way of confirming our important relevance and purpose on this planet. We tend to rely on emotions which have always been a defining characteristic that sets us apart from machines. While this is undoubtedly true, the development of artificial emotions is a plausible future.?

As the advancement of human-like artificial intelligence presents both a potential threat and opportunity, it is crucial to recognize that a clear differentiation between human consciousness and artificial consciousness will most likely continue as well as the distinction between human emotions and their artificial equivalents. This acknowledgment highlights the importance of developing technologies that complement and enhance the human experience rather than supplant it. Undoubtedly, AI continues to challenge our ego and prompts us to reflect on our own abilities and purpose. It forces us to confront our limitations and contemplate our place in a rapidly changing world. It evokes a sense of fear, yet also sparks our imagination as we contemplate the vast potential of the technology we are capable of creating. And yet, when we say that AI does this, in reality, it is just Us through different means for now; an extension of ourselves, exploring the limits of our potential and opening up new frontiers.