Technology as Destroyer of Mankind?
The more I see and hear artificial intelligence discussed in a future context, the more I hear echoes of the biblical story of the great flood. Some use this account to dismiss the God of the Bible, Elohim, because it seems so extreme. Many are quick to throw accusations at Elohim such as how could a good god allow pain and suffering in the world or how could a good god allow mass genocide by wiping out mankind with a flood. This flood accusation I find particularly interesting, because the more we start to discuss the future power of artificial intelligence (AI), the more relevant it becomes.
That’s because the greatest minds in the world all seem to think that it’s possible, or even likely, that any artificial intelligence which could transcend mankind would want to destroy us. There’s a fear that future entities endowed with unimaginable knowledge and intelligence but lacking emotion would come to the logical conclusion that mankind doesn’t deserve to exist.
And why is that? Why is it such a fear with scientists that advanced artificial intelligence would turn against us? Well, deep down we all know why. People are flawed and we all make mistakes. We start wars, we kill unpopular groups, we destroy things. Most people lie and can’t even obey simple laws like the speed limit. Even as humankind makes the greatest technological advances, all of these can be twisted to use to spread more death and destruction.
On the one hand, man wants to say that it’s illogical that any real God ever wiped out humanity due to his shortcomings. Yet, on the other hand, the same group says that man is so flawed that it is very possible any future intelligence that transcends us would want to destroy us.
Many would stand in judgement of God for reaching the conclusion that mankind needed to be wiped out. And yet one of their greatest fears for the future is that the creation of their own hands would decide that we are too flawed to be redeemed.
And why is that? Why is it such a fear with scientists that advanced artificial intelligence would turn against us? Well, deep down we all know why. People are flawed and we all make mistakes. We start wars, we kill unpopular groups, we destroy things. Most people lie and can’t even obey simple laws like the speed limit. Even as humankind makes the greatest technological advances, all of these can be twisted to use to spread more death and destruction.
On the one hand, man wants to say that it’s illogical that any real God ever wiped out humanity due to his shortcomings. Yet, on the other hand, the same group says that man is so flawed that it is very possible any future intelligence that transcends us would want to destroy us.
Many would stand in judgement of God for reaching the conclusion that mankind needed to be wiped out. And yet one of their greatest fears for the future is that the creation of their own hands would decide that we are too flawed to be redeemed.
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