Technology vs Humanity: The Coming Clash Between Man and Machine - Part Two
Mar 5, 2021
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Futurist Gerd Leonhard explores the clash between technology and humanity, discussing topics like AI, digital obesity, and the end of work. He questions how we can embrace technology without losing our humanity and emphasizes the importance of moral values as we enter the era of Big Tech.
Enhancing human cognitive abilities through technology may lead to unprecedented intelligence levels beyond current limits by 2050, raising concerns about merging man with machine.
The necessity for human-centric technology development to preserve societal well-being and ethical values against technology lacking essential human qualities like empathy and moral understanding.
Deep dives
The Potential of Enhanced Human Intelligence by Technology
Human cognitive ability, influenced by genetics and brain neurons, could experience significant enhancement through technology to reach an IQ far beyond current limits by 2050. The discussion explores cognitive engineering via human DNA editing to produce individuals with unparalleled intellect, raising concerns about the merging of man and machine.
Ethical Challenges in Technology and Human Values
While technology lacks ethics and moral values essential for human functioning, the discussion raises questions on whether machines can truly understand, empathize, or possess holistic existence like humans. It emphasizes that human life is driven by values, beliefs, and emotion, which technology fails to encapsulate.
The Impact of Technology on Society and Responsibility
The narrative delves into the consequences of technology's increasing power without proportional responsibility, citing examples of social networks exploiting personal data and AI devices operating without accountability. It urges a shift towards human-centric technology development to ensure societal well-being and ethical consideration.
The Evolution of Technology and Human Identity
As technological advancements approach human capabilities, the dialogue scrutinizes the blurring boundaries between human essence and machine-like enhancements. It questions the transformative impact of AI, emphasizing the need to preserve humanity's core qualities amid the allure of technological augmentation.
Futurist Gerd Leonhard breaks new ground again by bringing together mankind’s urge to upgrade and automate everything—down to human biology itself—with our timeless quest for freedom and happiness.
Before it’s too late, we must stop and ask the big questions: How do we embrace technology without becoming it? When it happens—gradually, then suddenly—the machine era will create the greatest watershed in human life on Earth. Technology vs. Humanity is one of the last moral maps we’ll get as humanity enters the Jurassic Park of Big Tech. Artificial intelligence. Cognitive computing. The Singularity. Digital obesity. Printed food. The Internet of Things. The death of privacy. The end of work-as-we-know-it, and radical longevity: The imminent clash between technology and humanity is already rushing towards us. What moral values are you prepared to stand up for—before being human alters its meaning forever?
Gerd Leonhard is a new kind of futurist schooled in the humanities as much as in technology. In his most provocative book to date, he explores the exponential changes swamping our societies, providing rich insights and deep wisdom for business leaders, professionals and anyone with decisions to make in this new era. If you take being human for granted, press Reset now with this passionately argued call to create a genuinely braver new world.