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Being Human in the Age of AI: A Technology Perspective and Five Actions to Do and Be Well

Being Human for a Better Tomorrow in the Age of AI

  • August 23, 2024
  • 12th edition
  • Vol 2.
Being Human in the Age of AI A Technology Perspective and Five Actions to Do and Be Well

We have moved far beyond the threshold of tests such as the Turing Test, that were designed to distinguish between humans and machines. Today, Generative AI, empowered by techniques like Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG), Reinforcement Learning with Human Feedback (RLHF), LLM Fine-tuning, Programmatic interface, APIs etc have brought AI to mainstream in our work and professional pursuits.

There is also a sharp divide among experts, practitioners, amateurs and public. Alongside these groups, various belief systems have emerged:

  1. Luddites: Those who view technology as harmful and advocate for its control.
  2. Techno-Optimists: Who believe technology will solve all challenges.
  3. Techno-Skeptics: Who think AI’s capabilities are overstated.
  4. Beneficial AI Advocates: Who see potential benefits in AI but stress the need for thoughtful control and care.

As an enthusiast who believes in beneficial AI, I have no doubt that we are at an epochal moment with AI. Whether or not we achieve Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) soon, significant advancements are imminent, particularly in:

  1. Chain-of-thought reasoning to manage complex problem solving.
  2. AI agents for task automation and autonomous communication.
  3. Enhanced models for simulating emotions and conscientious behavior.

Given AI’s trajectory, I believe that AI literacy is essential for everyone. It’s also critical to define what it means to be human and maintain our individual identities in this rapidly changing landscape. This is the critical question and a defining capability for us and an our children.

Here are five hypotheses and actions to help navigate this new era:

Hypothesis 1: There’s little difference between a human who performs tasks mechanically and a machine.

  • Action: Practice being thoughtful and proactive in your work and pursuits. Balance this with humor and lightness.

 

Hypothesis 2: It’s contradictory to criticize AI for bias, prejudice, or falsehood while exhibiting the same flaws as humans 

  • Action: Add a filter step to eliminate bias in your decision-making processes.

 

Hypothesis 3: We live in an age of abundance. Food, entertainment, social connections, content access and creation tools everything is on tap and available on demand.

  • Action: Turn off or at least set time limits in consuming algorithm fed content to regain control of your attention and time.

 

Hypothesis 4: Reinvest time and attention to cultivate taste in what you consume. Taste is core to creating filters for junk and originality in creation.

  • Action: Invest time in curated sifting, reflective conversations, and personal writing. Experiment with creation tools in your work or studies, or play around just for fun.

 

Hypothesis 5: The real job threat isn’t from AI, but from humans who are proficient in using AI.

  • Action: Regardless of your profession or field of study, it’s essential to learn the basics of AI. Enroll in online courses, experiment with AI tools in your daily work, and participate in tech initiatives.

 

You are not just defined by what you do today. In the future, those who co-opt and configure technology will thrive, while those who refuse to learn and adapt will be left behind.

Humanity has survived extinction level events in the past. We are now becoming a species of one. Now is a good time to be well informed and act to be well in the Age of AI.

Select Quotes

"The real question is not whether machines think but whether men do."
― B.F. Skinner
"AI is the new electricity."
― Andrew Ng
"More human than human is our motto."
― Elden Tyrell, Blade Runner
"The danger of artificial intelligence is not that it will harm or destroy humans, but that humans will become overly reliant on it. We will forget how to think for ourselves and how to be human."
― Sam Harris
"It is not the strongest of the species that survives, nor the most intelligent that survives. It is the one that is most adaptable to change."
― Charles Darwin
"Responsible AI is about fairness, transparency, privacy, security, and ethics."
― Andrew Ng
"AI is about amplifying human intelligence, not replacing it.”
― Yann LeCun

I hope these insights help.
Please subscribe, follow and share, Your comments and feedback are very welcome.


Best wishes

II. Questioning / Asking

Good conversations flow from well‑sequenced questions—topical, simple, coherent, cohesive.
LLM Conversation Example 1
Q: What are empirical judgments?

A: Empirical judgments are based on observation, experience, or experimentation.
Q: What are moral judgments?

A: Moral judgments are based on ethical principles and values.
“AI is a language. Treat it like one: practice, iterate, and mind your grammar prompts, assumptions, and verification.”
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