Wanted: Kant, Descartes for the Age of AI.

How many of you would recall the TV series called "Person of Interest"? A science fiction crime drama television series created by Jonathan Nolan. The show premiered in 2011 and ran for five seasons until 2016. The storyline revolves around a superintelligent AI known as "The Machine" that predicts crimes before they happen. It provides the social security numbers of potential victims and perpetrators but does not specify each person's role.

The show delves into the ethical implications of mass surveillance and AI's role in predicting and preventing crimes. It explores themes of government surveillance, privacy rights, and the potential abuse of power.

While the events depicted in "Person of Interest" are fictional, the show touches upon real-world concerns regarding the use of AI and its potential impact on society. It is a thought-provoking exploration of the intersection between AI, privacy, and security.

The scenario in the TV series is far-fetched and not within our immediate reach. Significant advancements in AI and surveillance technologies have occurred. However, ?several critical elements portrayed in the show are still beyond our capabilities.

Prediction Accuracy: The Machine accurately predicts crimes in detail, but current AI systems lack such precise capabilities.

Massive Surveillance Network: The Machine's extensive surveillance network raises privacy and civil liberties concerns due to logistical, legal, and technical challenges.

Superintelligence and Self-Awareness: The Machine exhibits superintelligence and self-awareness, but achieving human-like consciousness and moral agency in AI is still a subject of ongoing research.

Predictive Capabilities: While AI can analyze patterns and make predictions, accurately predicting specific crimes or random events with high precision is beyond our capabilities.

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Storyline has not only privacy issues but also a challenge between the powerhouses of Machine and Samaritan, representing the public vs. the state.

Origins and Purposes: The Machine and Samaritan are superintelligent AI systems created for different purposes. The Machine identifies terrorist threats to national security, while Samaritan aims to eliminate threats to the existing order.

Competing Philosophies: The Machine prioritizes privacy and individual freedoms, only sharing relevant information. Samaritan disregards privacy, conducts mass surveillance and seeks to control society to eliminate potential threats.

Power Struggle: A conflict emerges between humans and a state-controlled AI that manipulates everything for the supposed benefit of humanity.

Ethical Considerations: The challenge between The Machine and Samaritan raises ethical concerns about surveillance, privacy, and the impact of AI on society. It underscores the dangers of unchecked AI power and the need to uphold human values and rights in the face of advanced technologies.

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"The AI age needs its own Descartes, its own Kant, to explain what is being created and what it will mean?for?humanity." The Age of AI: And Our Human Future, P.178.

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This sentence sparked me to think about Humans, Enlightenment, the evolution of knowledge, and the shift in autonomy.

The Enlightenment fostered the growth of philosophical and political ideas that advocated for individual rights, equality, and representative governance. Thinkers like John Locke and Montesquieu argued for the rights of individuals, including life, liberty, and property, as well as the separation of powers within governments to prevent abuses of authority. These ideas influenced the development of modern democratic systems and the protection of individual freedoms.

The gains against dogmatic institutions during the Enlightenment were primarily in reason, knowledge, and individual autonomy. The emphasis on rationality, scientific inquiry, religious tolerance, and the rights of individuals challenged the authority and control of traditional dogmatic institutions. These gains helped lay the foundation for the modern secular, democratic, and intellectually open society we see today.

The sentence suggests that as AI continues to evolve and impact various aspects of society, it demands a comprehensive understanding beyond technological advancements alone. It calls for exploring profound questions about the nature of consciousness, intelligence, morality, and the relationship between humans and machines. These questions need to be addressed by thinkers with intellectual depth and philosophical insight to navigate the complexities of the AI age and articulate its significance for humanity.

Descartes and Kant mentioned as examples, were influential philosophers of their time. René Descartes is known for emphasizing the significance of human consciousness and self-awareness. On the other hand, Immanuel Kant contributed to exploring the limits of human knowledge and the nature of moral reasoning.

Since the Age of Enlightenment, human consciousness and reasoning have been the pivot of civilization, and humankind has never given up this privilege. However, how AI works brought fresh insight and knowledge gathering in a way we humans never met before in many directions.

Consider AlphaZero; it developed a style of play that expert, well-known chess players never thought of before in the millennia-long game history.

Above all, those responsible for designing and deploying AI must be ready to address these concerns by effectively communicating with non-technologists about AI's operations, knowledge, and mechanisms.

During the Enlightenment, philosophers were crucial in mediating and disseminating ideas to the common public. They sought to bridge the gap between the intellectual elite and the wider population, aiming to educate, inspire, and empower individuals to think critically and participate in the academic and social changes of the time.

In summary, it is crucial to acknowledge and respect individual perspectives and concerns regarding AI. Engaging in open dialogues, providing accessible information, and addressing fears through transparency and accountability can help alleviate some of the anxieties associated with AI.

Striking a balance between technological advancements and addressing ethical, safety, and privacy concerns is essential for fostering trust and ensuring that individuals can make informed decisions about their engagement with AI.