Henry Kyereme: Could advances in technology undermine the future of humans?

A person important problem around know-how is the panic that it could unleash severe havoc on humanity if misused.

Technologies misuse along with ecological disruption and the probability of nukes misuse are seen as the most strong existential (quick and remote) threats to humanity.

Whilst all three threats are really disruptive, technological innovation misuse is getting awareness in new periods owing to technology’s accessibility, velocity of expansion in information in technological tools and, last but not least, the high degree of vulnerability in know-how.

The evolution of Synthetic Intelligence (AI) and its substantial application could shortly change humans’ algorithms. Currently, we are witnessing an highly developed type of AI with gene therapy and bionic implants these advancements may perhaps swiftly improve the biological make-up of human beings. Also, their pace of evolution is advancing at a amount in no way seen in advance of in biotechnological engineering.

In the long run, these advanced AIs purpose to build superior people with extra functionalities previously mentioned all those of normal people. This idea of human upgrade or gravitating toward the robotic standing is a tough thought to search at from a religious viewpoint.

Having said that, from a scientific and sociological place of perspective, sizeable developments lend credence to the thought that human beings may well be tilting steadily to a robotic or to some degree not known position.

Unsurprisingly, transhumanists have prolonged yearned for any attempt that could alter human DNA. For instance, Stalin is on report to have immensely pursued an agenda of making a genetically engineered military with capabilities remarkable to ordinary citizens.

What, even so, is unclear is no matter whether the enhancement of people assures top-quality potential or could finish up debasing humanity.

Need I point out that this revolutionary AI innovations, must they go mistaken, could spell doom for humanity perpetually as there are no recognized complete-proof benchmarks and protocols at present in location to govern these types of a condition.

In truth, all the well known actors in the AI house, together with Elon Musk, have shared their concern over AI developing important adverse outcomes on humanity. It is a single matter to innovate, but it usually takes a terrific deal of grit to predict precisely and place in area mitigating protocols for doable foreseeable future externalities to appear from today’s innovation.      

Without doubt, the human way of lifestyle in culture – developing marriage, operate, and socialization, among other people – have markedly altered about the very last many epochs, generally affected by advances in technological know-how.

Technological know-how now has turn into an enabler of lifetime and, in some cases, changing chores at first preserved for humans. The cognitive capabilities of robots and technologically engineered devices have improved so substantially that some robots are even alleged to be sentient.

As robots strengthen in cognitive capability and presume the properties of individuals, people are, on the other hand shifting gradually to robotic status. The shift in individuals is in two-fold: inventors of robots who control the relaxation of society and those controlled by robots. 

The initially purpose humans are getting to be additional of robots is that in the era of increased automation, “no significant and unique thinking” – aside from following processes – is needed to complete any specific work. Automation is seen as ideal and attractive in the world of operate right now, pushed by effectiveness and financial gain.

Robots are a lot more productive in carrying out some unique duties, and if financial gain is the underlining thing to consider, it will make perception to automate to optimize these types of gains. In these types of an setting, humans involve extremely minor thinking, as robots do all the imagining for us. Outside of human enslavement to machines, the unprecedented technological advancements also exacerbate the division concerning humans – all those who management us (creators of robots) and people who are managed.

Secondly, humanity’s social construct, described based mostly on communalism and interdependence, has rapidly disappeared. The social aid system no for a longer time depends on broader neighborhood support but is now centered on the individual’s attributes. Individualism – freedom of action for individuals about collective or state handle – appears to have been embraced as a “modern” way of lifestyle and taken hold of us humans.

The that means of a community where men and women reside together and share in every other’s pleasure and pain has considerably light. Human social bond has been damaged, and people have much less sense of team identity ensuing in a lot less and significantly less feeling toward their local community or persons in their local community.

It is not uncommon to have men and women stay in a distinct group for yrs and nonetheless not notice or detect as neighbours. The proliferation of internet and new media have exacerbated individualism as persons now want and can make a virtual community of their individual with no assist from their locality.

The unintended implications of know-how could be dealt with if regulation is brought to the entrance burner of plan discourse. Without these types of deliberate motion, the earth could struggle if artificial intelligence goes wrong.

In the same vein, the environment could be surprised by the exploits of the “bad guys” who continually request to just take advantage of cyber-methods vulnerabilities to damage harmless users. Undeniably, there are many vulnerabilities in know-how.

These vulnerabilities have generally been the conduit for “bad geeks” to possibly progress their curiosity or occasionally that of a sponsored State[s]. As a final result, cyber-attacks on nationwide, regional, corporations’ networks and sometimes on men and women have come to be typical. The ache normally inflicted on know-how buyers by these undesirable fellas becomes unmeasurable and typically effects in the loss of lives and assets of those attacked.

Another important issue is that as human beings turn into additional robotized, therefore trying to find endless bliss and superiority, isn’t there a likelihood that they may perhaps become extra impressive this sort of that they also will commence to exploit cyberspace vulnerabilities and afflict much more misery on unassuming technological innovation buyers?

What’s more, what will be the religion of people now enslaved by technological know-how in these kinds of room? In fact, these concerns are opportunities just one are unable to forget about considering that the desires of transhumanists to have an endless bliss of everyday living will occur at a value and who should bear that charge?

Hence, just one ought to be careful with know-how as its misuse could spell doom for humanity and maybe extinguish humankind permanently.

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Henry Kyeremeh

[email protected]

Co-Founder, iWatch Africa