Our credentials inarguably qualify us for inclusion in the societal category of “elders.” As a social and temporal consequence, we have been engaged in a valiant effort to comprehend the digital-computerized environment ( such as hand-held smartphones, remote television selection, computerized vocal automobile directions, robot-initiated entertainment (see earlier blog: “Who Invited Alexa”?), robotized vacuum cleaners, self-driving and parking [“autonomous”] automobiles and other computerized phenomena) when we were worrisome, confronted with another spectacular “advance” denominated as “A-I” or “Advanced Intelligence.” As a quick and candid indication of our view, we would make clear that the above title’s contrasting words are not intended to be sardonically oxymoronic, but, by emphatic contrast, metaphysically terrifying.
The decision to express our feelings on this theme was suddenly catalyzed by a certain media report, stating that ahead of the New Hampshire primary, residents received robocalls in which an A.I. generated voice impersonation of President Biden deceitfully urged non-partisan and democratic voters to “skip the ballot,” terming the Primary, “a bunch of malarkey,” a popularly known Biden expression.
Fundamentally, we continue to pay homage to the brilliant English Philosopher, John Locke for the enlightened doctrine that Man is born with a “tabula rasa” (a clean slate) and that his knowledge is attained (solely) by his experience. Accordingly, we are fearful lest the potential results of A-I alter or distort society’s dynamics which are existentially based on empirical reality.
We have jointly and onerously experienced the pain and confusion engendered by Donald Trump’s self-serving and neurotically biased institution of “alternate facts.” It permissibly may be observed, however, that, as a measure of some meager, comparative mitigation, the latter scourge evinced the capability of discerning its source and motivation. This phenomenon may be functionally compared with the undetermined, malevolent source and object of the deceitful content, inherent in “Artificial Intelligence.”
Recent efforts to contain or eliminate A-I were made by striking film and television writers, fearing its predictable potential for unpaid and wrongful exploitation of their creative work. In addition, there are well-founded concerns relative to improper surveillance and privacy rights. One cannot resist, as well, concerns relative to the ultimate safety of autonomous vehicles. Finally, A-I may also pose an imminent threat of replacement to human beings engaged in intellectual jobs.
However, it must be emphasized that our salient and foremost concern created by the unrelenting exponential march of computerized “advancements” is founded in their irrelevancy and disregard for the vital and nuanced needs of humankind.
The conduct of some cursory research demonstrates that A-I was of significant utility in the conduct of stem cell research and is presently in exploration for utility in some additional areas such as health care and manufacturing. Nevertheless, it is our view that these complex systems may prove to result in more societal harm than economic good. With no critical oversight, A-I software may prove to be economically useful and efficient, but harmful in its determinations, dynamically and efficiently made without empathic consideration of their humanistic and empathic implications.
–p.
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