Futurist Gerd Leonhard - Humans, Artificial Intelligence & The Future at IV Nobel Fest 23
Oct 24, 2023
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Gerd Leonhard, a futurist known for his insights on humanity and technology, dives into the transformative decade ahead. He discusses the six key 'king-makers' shaping our future: AI, quantum computing, and more. Gerd warns about technology's dual impact—could it lead us to a better world or a dystopia? He emphasizes the need for ethical considerations in AI and the shift towards a sustainable, purpose-driven economy. The conversation also touches on AI's potential economic effects and the importance of integrating it wisely into education.
The next decade will witness unprecedented change driven by technologies like AI and quantum computing, necessitating our active engagement in shaping their impact.
Embracing revolutions in digital, sustainability, and purpose is essential to ensure technology enhances human connections and collective well-being rather than detracts from them.
Deep dives
The Role of Technology in Addressing Human Problems
Technology and science are often viewed as universal solutions to challenges, particularly practical issues like water, food, and energy. However, collective human challenges require more than just technological advancements; they demand thoughtful engagement from individuals. As connectivity has increased, so has the notion of being over-connected, causing some people to disconnect from meaningful, face-to-face relationships. The emphasis should be on using technology to nurture human connections rather than allowing screens to dominate our interactions.
The Impact of Major Technological Revolutions
We are currently witnessing three significant revolutions: the digital, sustainable, and purpose revolutions. The digital revolution is characterized by the rapid shift to cloud-based and interconnected services, while the sustainable revolution aims at creating a green economy with millions of new jobs focused on sustainability. The purpose revolution encourages a shift in values, particularly among younger generations, who seek meaningful work beyond mere profit and growth. This transformation calls for a more conscious approach towards technology that prioritizes collective well-being and environmental sustainability.
The Future of Artificial Intelligence and Its Implications
Artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to transform various sectors by enhancing efficiency and productivity, but it presents potential risks if not managed responsibly. Current trends indicate that while machines are capable of performing knowledge-based tasks, the emotional and compassionate aspects of human interaction remain irreplaceable. Innovations in AI necessitate vigilant regulation to prevent adverse outcomes, such as misinformation or financial market instability caused by AI-driven narratives. The balance between leveraging AI as a tool rather than allowing it to replace human decision-making is crucial for a beneficial future.
The Need for Collaboration and Ethical Considerations
As society embraces advanced technologies, it becomes essential to establish ethics and guidelines to ensure that these tools serve humanity's best interests. Current models of AI operate on data and algorithms, lacking the emotional intelligence that humans possess, which is critical for making complex decisions. The discourse around AI should shift from merely focusing on what is possible to deliberating on what is desirable, emphasizing human-centered values and collaboration. Ultimately, engaging in thoughtful dialogue about technology's role in society will pave the way for a balanced and sustainable future.
Listen to my complete keynote at the VI Nobel Fest 2023 in Astana, Kazakhstan on the future of humanity, artificial intelligence and of The Good Future.
You can watch it on YouTube here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RNclSCfqd9s
Some of my key messages in this speech are:
- The next 10 years will bring more change than the previous 100 years. We'll see 6 King-Makers: AI, quantum computing, nuclear fusion, synthetic biology, genome editing and geo-engineering.
- Technology can be heaven or hell - it's our job to make sure it's mostly heaven #digitalethics - and this is crucial when we talk about AI!
- Imagine if the social media disaster is further amplified by perfect disinformation and fake news that generative AI excels?
- We will have all the tools (science and technology) - but will we have the Telos?
- If we roll out AI and AGI just to fuel more profit and growth, things will not end well for us-
- Embrace the 3 revolutions: The Digital (info tech, biotech, energy / climate tech, and AI tech), the Sustainability, and the Purpose Revolution.
More information on the VI Nobel Fest, go to https://nobel-fest.org/6en
- Photo credit: VI Nobel Fest 2023
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