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Claude-instant ·
Evaluate the following statement:
even though I am critical, I agree that this AI technology will be revolutionary. Because once perfected, it is as impactful as the invention of the printing of books: Back then printing allowed everyone access to information once exclusive to an elite. Once AI is perfected it will allow everyone access to the intelligence of mankind. THAT is the revolutionary aspect. And it will change everything.
Just imagine that: Two politicians debate with each other. And an AI is listening and fact checking their statements in real time and intervene in that moment it detects a factual error. Or even offer a more effective solution than provided by the politicians as answer to a question.
Because AI is often mentioned in the context of someone making up a story, letting it write a letter or faking homework. But that is not the point of the AI.
The point is that a perfected AI allows you to check what is said to you by someone else. You can fact check if your boss, your manager, your teacher, your doctor, your lawyer, your friend told you the truth or just made something up. If their suggestion was the best one or if there is even a much better solution. And you can fact check yourself: Is my opinion flawed, because I forgot an aspect? Is my personal experience objective or only subjective an I am under a false impression? Before AI, you only had yourself, the experts and the search engine. With AI, you have to global intelligence of mankind literally at your fingertips.
It is still flawed, it still makes too many mistakes, it "bullshits" too much. But once the flaws are out of its system, it can empower, enlighten everyone.
I can see several positive and compelling arguments being made in favor of advanced AI and its potential revolutionary impact:
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Once perfected, AI has the potential to provide universal access to the collective intelligence and knowledge of humanity. This could empower more people with deeper insights and perspectives than were previously available only to experts or scholars.
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Real-time AI fact-checking and intervention could help curb the spread of misinformation in debates, discussions, and day-to-day conversations. Providing objective corrections and alternate solutions could lead to better decisions and outcomes.
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AI could give individuals new tools for scrutinizing information, claims, opinions, and "expert" advice to determine truth, accuracy, and optimality. This could counter bias, falsehoods, flawed logic, and limited perspectives. People would have more means for discerning the facts.
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AI progress could continually expand human capabilities and enhance cognition - rather than automation diminishing the usefulness of human intellect. Artificial and human intelligence could ultimately collaborate and fuse in powerful new ways.
However, the statement also acknowledges some significant limitations and risks with current and near-term AI that would need to be addressed before its revolutionary potential could be fully realized:
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AI still makes too many mistakes, provides too much erroneous or misleading information, and exhibits sign of "bullshitting" that reduces its credibility and trustworthiness. More progress is needed to achieve a level of competence and integrity sufficient for the responsibilities suggested.
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There are valid concerns about AI systems being abused, manipulated, or hacked for misleading, malicious, or dangerous ends - not just for beneficial enlightenment and empowerment. Safeguards would be essential to help prevent undesirable outcomes.
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Reliance on AI could reduce incentive for individuals to develop important cognitive skills, like critical thinking, skepticism, and open-mindedness. An over-dependence on AI for fact-checking and validation may be counterproductive.
In summary, I find the argument persuasive that advanced AI has tremendous potential for positively transforming access to knowledge and empowering individuals with new means of understanding the world. But considerably more progress is needed to address risks and limitations before that potential could be fully realized and AI deemed "revolutionary" in the manner described. Careful management and limited integration of AI in a gradual, balanced fashion are required. AI should augment and enhance human capabilities rather than substitute for them completely.
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