Redefining Personhood: The Legal and Ethical Challenges of an Advanced General Intelligence with James Boyle

In a groundbreaking conversation on SecureTalk, legal scholar James Boyle explores the complex landscape of artificial intelligence and biological innovation, challenging our understanding of personhood and consciousness. Drawing from his recent book “The Line: Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Personhood”, Boyle dissects the potential future of artificial general intelligence and biological engineering through the lens of legal and ethical frameworks. We shine a light on how our current technological advancements are forcing us to reexamine fundamental questions about what constitutes a "person" – a journey that parallels historical shifts like human rights and the evolution of corporate personhood.

Boyle also delves into the equally provocative realm of biological engineering, where technologies like CRISPR are blurring the lines between species and challenging our ethical boundaries. He warns that we're entering an era where genetic modifications could fundamentally alter human capabilities, raising critical questions about ownership, consent, and the rights of an invention. For cybersecurity professionals, AI researchers and corporate leaders, Boyle's legal insights offer a crucial roadmap for navigating the complex ethical terrain of emerging technologies, emphasizing the importance of proactive, critical thinking in shaping our technological future.

You can find the book here: https://scholarship.law.duke.edu/faculty_books/9/