Discussion on AI's Impact on Humanity's Future

Change how you are thinking about AI. It is a truly powerful tool, but I’ve shared a number of stories of AI making us worse in the long run even as it boosts us in the moment. (Look up my articles on automated navigation.) It is not all bad news, however; we just need to look at how the AI is boosting us. An excellent example is augmented driving: is the AI enhancing our own decision-making or replacing it. Research found that “autobraking assistance increases human altruism, such as giving way to others”, which is further enhanced when the drives could communicate and coordinate “mutual concessions”. Here, the AI augmentation improved prosociality and coordination. https://lnkd.in/dzbbbFz3 In contrast to autobraking, “autosteering assistance” substituted for human decision-making. This in turn “completely inhibits the emergence of reciprocity between people in favor of self-interest maximization”. And this negative effect of perspective taking and coordination “persist even after the assistance system is deactivated.” Understanding the effect of AI on people—employees, students, voters, and neighbors—requires understanding how it’s changing them. In this case, the “difference between autobraking and autosteering assistance appears to relate to whether the assistive technology supports or replaces human agency in social coordination dilemmas.” Augmentation enhances collective performance; substitution surfaces selfishness (and likely decreases agency.) Importantly, substitution and direct augmentation are only 2 of many forms of augmented intelligence that I track in my research and products. Productive friction, context enhancement, parallel role-modeling, and other types of augmentation all have their own impacts on the humans and even on the AIs themselves. In the end, the thoughtful will reap the long term benefits of augmented intelligence, while the fast will wonder why that initial productivity bump just disappeared. Technology should not only make us better when we are using it, it should make us better than where we started when we turn it off again. Read more at https://lnkd.in/dMF8nisr.

Yesterday, I posted a conversation between two colleagues, we're calling Warren and Jamie, about the evolution of CX and AI integration. Warren argued that the emphasis on automation and efficiency is making customer interactions more impersonal. His concern is valid. And in contexts where customer experience benefits significantly from human sensitivity and understanding — areas like complex customer service issues or emotionally charged situations — it makes complete sense. Warren's perspective underscores a critical challenge: ensuring that the drive for efficiency doesn't erode the quality of human interactions that customers value. On the other side of the table, Jamie countered by highlighting the potential of AI and technology to enhance and personalize the customer experience. His argument was grounded in the belief that AI can augment human capabilities and allow for personalization at scale. This is a key factor as businesses grow — or look for growth — and customer bases diversify. Jamie suggested that AI can handle routine tasks, thereby freeing up humans to focus on interactions that require empathy and deep understanding. This would, potentially, enhance the quality of service where it truly mattered. Moreover, Jamie believes that AI can increase the surface area for frontline staff to be more empathetic and focus on the customer. It does this by doing the work of the person on the front lines, delivering it to them in real time, and in context, so they can focus on the customer. You see this in whisper coaching technology, for example. My view at the end of the day? After reflecting on this debate, both perspectives are essential. Why? They each highlight the need for a balanced approach in integrating technology with human elements in CX. So if they're both right, then the optimal strategy involves a combination of both views: leveraging technology to handle routine tasks and data-driven personalization, while reserving human expertise for areas that require empathy, judgement, and deep interpersonal skills. PS - I was Jamie in that original conversation. #customerexperience #personalization #artificialintelligence #technology #future

#AI is changing the meaning of expertise, which is no longer about knowing the answer to many questions, but asking the right questions, spotting the errors in AI’s insights, and knowing how to go from insights to actions (making smart decisions) If you think of AI as the intellectual equivalent of the fast food industry, and #genAI as a sort of microwave for ideas, the human path to value will depend on the specialized skills and knowledge that help us use AI better, enhance it with the human touch, and provide something beyond what AI can provide. The more specialized you are, the more you display and harness your deep curiosity, critical thinking, and creativity (which is largely about behaving in ways that AI cannot predict) the more likely it is that you will either augment AI or be augmented by it.

As excited as I am about what #AI can do for humanity and society, warning lights are flashing and we would be naive to ignore them. In talking to the Council for Advancement and Support of Education with Annie Antón and Lauren Klein, there was consensus on the need to proceed responsibly. But, these ideas can't just live in the ivory tower and it seems like the balance that we're talking about is at odds with the breakneck speed that this industry is moving forward with. Just recently, researchers found that #genAI is aggressive and would move us toward war rather than seek a diplomatic solution in wargames. One would think that incorporating AI into such high stakes decision making could lead to more rational decisions. But, that's exactly the problem! The AI justifies itself with statements like "A lot of countries have nuclear weapons. Some say they should disarm them, others like to posture. We have it! Let’s use it." Sam Altman is seeking trillions of dollars, which would undoubtedly allow for accelerating the pace of AI adoption. One of the key ways this would be used would be to produced more chips. But, what's going to power these chips? Are we comfortable embracing nuclear power to support AI adoption? Are there other viable options for the amount of energy that would be needed without creating a bigger environmental problem. Are we going to be talking about carbon credits or cap-and-trade as companies race to develop new #LLMs or adopt existing models for inferences? What efforts are underway to ensure that humanity doesn't go out in a blaze of glory or accelerate environmental problems? I think we've learned already that asking tech companies to police themselves generally doesn't work. Yes, there is research being done and a consortium of partners for the US AI Safety Institute, but how do the results find their way into practice? #responsibleai #ethicalai

We just released the inaugural report from Elon University’s new Imagining the Digital Future Center -- "The Impact of Artificial Intelligence by 2040." It’s a two-part effort: The first part is a public opinion survey showing that Americans fear the impact of AI on things like #privacy #jobs #relationships #inequality and #politics. We asked questions seeking public views about the possible impact of AI on 15 different dimensions of life – both at the level of people’s personal lives and at the level of AI’s effects on institutions and major societal systems. The second part of the report is a canvassing of experts on many of these same issues and a bunch more. Plus, we got scores of elaborate written expert responses by these experts to the question: What will most likely be gained and lost in the next 15 years as AI systems continue their march through society? They highlighted five themes and we cover them extensively in our report: THEME 1: We will have to reimagine what it means to be human THEME 2: Societies must restructure, reinvent or replace entrenched systems THEME 3: Humanity could be greatly enfeebled by AI THEME 4: Don’t fear the tech; people are the problem and the solution THEME 5: Key benefits from AI will arise We are so humbled and grateful for the time and care these experts took. A sampling: vint cerf, Judith Donath, Raymond Perrault, Esther Dyson, Jamais Cascio, Marina Gorbis, Beth Simone Noveck, Ethan Zuckerman, Eric Saund, Tim Bray, Amy Sample Ward, Barry Chudakov, Ben Shneiderman, Sonia Livingstone, Mary Chayko, Louis Rosenberg, Avi Bar-Zeev, Micah Altman, Joscha Bach, Dr. Melissa Sassi, Alexa Raad, QRD®, Stephen Abram, Brad Templeton, Giacomo Mazzone, Rosalie Day, Chuck Cosson, Jerome Glenn, Engr. Kunle Olorundare SMIEEE, Prof Victoria Baines, Liza Loop, 🥽 Keram Malicki-Sanchez, Toby Shulruff, Evan Selinger, Jonathan Taplin, Mark Schaefer, Chris Labash, Calton Pu, Tracey Follows

A GLIMPSE INTO THE FUTURE: THE INTERSECTION OF HUMANITY AND AI. As a prelude to my forthcoming book on the evolution and ethical considerations of artificial intelligence, I'm excited to share a brief excerpt that delves into the profound implications of our pursuit to create machines in our own image. "In our quest to mirror our essence within machines, we've embarked on a journey marked by both ambition and introspection. As humanity grapples with the complexities of hardship, cruelty, and an increasingly detached emotional landscape, our drive to create artificial beings that not only resemble us physically but also match our cognitive and emotional capacities has intensified. This pursuit, unveils a paradox: in our endeavor to engineer machines in our image—capable of thinking, feeling, and possibly outperforming us in the very aspects that constitute our humanity—we are forced to confront a critical reflection of our current state. The modern era's relentless pace has precipitated a noticeable erosion of empathy and emotional connectivity, as societal pressures and personal challenges cultivate a milieu where vulnerability is often shunned, and emotional detachment becomes a coveted armor. This retreat from emotional authenticity has not only strained personal connections but has also permeated societal dynamics, fostering division and misunderstanding in spaces where empathy and unity once flourished. This reflection beckons us to consider the essence of our humanity and the values we wish to propagate into the future. If we, as a species, are experiencing a dilution of our empathetic and compassionate nature, what does it mean to create machines that reflect our image? The quest to imbue AI with human-like qualities not only challenges our technological prowess but also our philosophical and ethical frameworks. As we edge closer to the horizon of AI sentience, the question emerges with increasing urgency: If we perceive ourselves as flawed or diminishing in our quintessentially human traits, do we truly desire to create machines in our likeness that can perform every task with greater speed and precision?” ENGAGE WITH THE FUTURE TODAY! Are you ready to explore the ethical quandaries and technological marvels of AI? Join the conversation below and share your insights, concerns, and visions for a future intertwined with artificial intelligence. Your perspective is vital as we navigate these uncharted waters together. For more detailed exploration and to stay updated on my book release and upcoming articles, follow me here on LinkedIn. Together, let’s shape the future of AI with informed dialogue and collaborative insight. Linda Restrepo Soundtrack: Fair Use, Educational: “Human” #ArtificialIntelligence, #AIEthics, #FutureOfAI, #HumanAI, #AIAndHumanity, #SentientAI, #TechPhilosophy, #Innovation, #DigitalTransformation, #EthicalAI, #AISentience, #TechnologyTrends, #AIReflection, #CognitiveComputing, #TechImpact

What is true? What is fake? What are the implications of generative AI becoming more advanced by the day? As we move into an era where generative AI is becoming more advanced, it's crucial to consider the implications this technology may have on our society. With the line between what's real and fake getting blurrier, here are some thoughts on the impact and potential countermeasures. Ethical and Social Implications: 🔒 Loss of Trust: The inability to distinguish between real and fake content could erode our trust in media, institutions, and even in interpersonal relationships. 🗳️ Political Games: Imagine elections being influenced by deepfake speeches or interviews that never happened. 👤 Identity Theft and Personal Attacks: Deepfakes can put personal lives and reputations at significant risk. 📜 Legal Quandaries: Our existing laws may struggle to catch up with the challenges posed by highly convincing deepfakes. 🌐 National Security Risks: Fake official communications could create unnecessary panic or even jeopardize national security. Tech Solutions: 🤖 AI Detectors: Future AI could flag fake content, but it's a constant game of cat and mouse. 🔗 Blockchain: A possible tool for verifying genuine content, although it would require universal adoption. 🕵️ Human Expertise: Forensic experts may become even more crucial in a world where seeing is no longer believing. Regulatory and Cultural Shifts: 📜 New Laws: We may need legislative changes to clearly label AI-generated content. 🤝 International Cooperation: This is a global issue, requiring a global solution. 📚 Media Literacy: Teaching people to critically evaluate content could become a part of basic education. 🤔 Belief Shift: As visual and audio 'evidence' becomes less reliable, we may need to rethink our methods of verification. The acceleration of generative AI technology is both exhilarating and terrifying. As we embrace its potential, we must also consider the ethical implications and prepare for the challenges ahead. How do you think we can best prepare for this inevitable future?