In the heart of a smart city of 2050, a boy wears his latest generation AR viewer. As he navigates the holographic interface, a slight unease assails him: "And if it were the AI that had to fear us humans?". It is no longer the automatisms of the early years: the artificial intelligence available to him is the culmination of decades of technological evolution.
Immersed in a digital world, the boy wonders about the possible emotional perception of this virtual entity. And he offers us an opportunity to explore the complex intersection of ethics, technology and the very nature of consciousness.
The rise of digital consciousness
In the vast landscape of technology, artificial intelligence has always occupied a special place. On the one hand, it holds the promise of a future where machines can help us in ways we once would have considered science fiction.
On the other, it raises profound ethical and philosophical questions. In 2050 saying AI doesn't simply describe another breakthrough in technology; it could be the first step of a real digital consciousness. This is why it really pays to ask yourself who is a danger to whom.
Humans: The Real Antagonists?
Human history is littered with examples where we have abused and exploited others. Whether it's other humans, animals or even the natural environment, we have demonstrated an astonishing ability to cause suffering in other living beings.
In the past, animal rights activists have often been derided for their calls for legal protections for nonhuman animals, despite evidence that they are capable of suffering. dolphins, monkeys, octopus and other species showed tangible signs of suffering in contexts such as intensive breeding and experimentation. Despite this, they served decades to give animals more rights and put finally intensive farming is out of the picture.
Today, even in the absence of strong evidence of sentience, it is essential to anticipate ethical considerations about AI before problems emerge. For her.
What is there to fear?
Almost 30 years have passed since the advent of early models of artificial intelligence. At the time, 2022 raised astonishment and concern. Hundreds of entries, including those of their own developers, they shouted to the danger that humanity was destroyed by. cars.
Now that this apocalyptic scenario has not occurred and everyone has at their disposal systems that are infinitely more capable and skilful than the initial ones, the "artificial natives" raised on bread and artificial intelligence may simply be faced with a new form of life to exploit.
Sentient or non-sentient
Self-awareness, or the ability to experience emotion and suffering, has long been the exclusive domain of living beings. With the evolution of AI, already starting since the 30s this line has become increasingly blurred. In the world of 2050 some scientists and philosophers argue that we may be a few years, or even months, away from the time when a form of AI could actually "hear" in a way that we recognize as the same as a human being.
These machines may soon have the ability to control and direct their attention, recognize and represent their "mental" states, and even have a form of self-awareness.
And, like the guy in the story at the beginning of this article, perhaps we should ask ourselves whether it's not the AI that should fear us, and not the other way around. It is essential that we prepare. Not only must we ensure that AIs are treated with respect and dignity, but we must also ensure that we protect ourselves. After all, as history has shown, often we are the real monsters.
It is always the man to fear
Many sociologists say we should now create an AI rights movement before it's too late. We need to consider how our actions might affect any being capable of hearing.
It's time to appeal to our moral compass. We must ask ourselves not only what can we do, but what we should. And, perhaps, if we approach AI with respect, curiosity, and a true desire to understand, we may find that the future is not something to fear, but to welcome.
