In this article I recommend three books that explore the answers to these broad questions:
• What is consciousness or intelligence and how did it spring forth in humans?
• How are machines being engineered to absorb and amplify human intelligence?
• What does it mean to be a conscious human in a world where both technology and its unique form of consciousness (Artificial Intelligence) predominates?
Fittingly, my co-author in this article is Google's AI tool Bard. I asked Bard to create summaries of each of the books below. Since I have read each book (or rather listened to the unabridged audio book versions) I was able to evaluate the accuracy of Bard's summaries. The bottom line: Bard did a great job! So I've included Bard's summaries below.
Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind
Before we can begin to understand artificial intelligence we need to strip it of the adjective "artificial" and examine intelligence on its own. Harari's book Sapiens describes the awakening of conscious awareness among the homo sapiens and how this awakening has manifested itself in the creation of culture and civilization. He then briefly predicts AI's potential to join or possibly supplant organic human intelligence.
Google Bard's Summary
"Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind is a book by Yuval Noah Harari that explores the history of humankind from the Stone Age to the present day. The book argues that the unique ability of humans to cooperate with each other in large numbers, enabled by our shared myths and stories, is what has allowed us to become the dominant species on Earth.
The book is divided into four parts:
- The Cognitive Revolution: This part explores how the development of language and abstract thinking allowed humans to cooperate with each other in ways that no other animal can.
- The Agricultural Revolution: This part examines the transition from hunter-gatherer societies to agricultural societies, and the consequences of this transition for human health, happiness, and environmental impact.
- The Unnatural History of Humankind: This part explores the rise of empires, religions, and science, and how these forces have shaped the modern world.
- The Future of Sapiens: This part looks at the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead for humanity, such as climate change, artificial intelligence, and the possibility of nuclear war.
Sapiens is a thought-provoking and eye-opening book that challenges many of our assumptions about human history. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the world we live in and the challenges we face in the future."
The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence
Yes, this book is over 20 years old. However, it was written by a man who has "... written books on health, artificial intelligence (AI), transhumanism, the technological singularity, and futurism. Kurzweil is a public advocate for the futurist and transhumanist movements... " - from Wikipedia
This book is a foundational text that accurately predicted some AI-based functions that are in use today and predicts others that are yet to come. It's an essential text for understanding the roots of AI.
Google Bard's Summary
"Here is a brief summary of the book The Age of Spiritual Machines: When Computers Exceed Human Intelligence by Ray Kurzweil:
- The book argues that the pace of technological advancement is accelerating, and that computers will eventually surpass human intelligence. Kurzweil believes that this will happen by the year 2045, and that it will lead to a "singularity" where machines will become so intelligent that they will be indistinguishable from humans. He also predicts that this will lead to the development of artificial general intelligence (AGI), which will be able to perform any intellectual task that a human can.
- Kurzweil believes that AGI will have a profound impact on society, and that it will eventually lead to the "merger" of humans and machines. He argues that this merger will be beneficial for humanity, as it will allow us to overcome our physical limitations and achieve a higher level of consciousness.
- The book has been praised by some for its cogent analysis of technological trends and its optimistic vision of the future. However, it has also been criticized by others for its lack of scientific rigor and its reliance on speculation... The Age of Spiritual Machines is a thought-provoking and controversial work that has had a significant impact on the way we think about the future of technology. It is a must-read for anyone who wants to understand the potential implications of artificial intelligence."
God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning
This book explores what it means to be a conscious human in a world where both technology and technology's unique form of consciousness (Artificial Intelligence) coexist. Though the topics discussed are both profound and complex, O'Gieblyn's explanations are easily accessible and anchor the topic firmly in the real world.
Google Bard's Summary
"The book God, Human, Animal, Machine: Technology, Metaphor, and the Search for Meaning by Meghan O'Gieblyn is a collection of essays that explores the ways in which technology has shaped our understanding of ourselves, our relationships, and our place in the world. O'Gieblyn argues that technology is not neutral, but rather that it carries with it its own set of metaphors and assumptions. These metaphors, in turn, influence the way we think about ourselves and our relationships to the natural world.
The book is divided into four parts.
- The first part, "God," examines the ways in which technology has been used to create new forms of spirituality and religious experience. O'Gieblyn discusses the rise of artificial intelligence and the ways in which some people are beginning to see AI as a kind of divine being. She also explores the use of technology in religious rituals and practices.
- The second part, "Human," examines the ways in which technology has changed our understanding of what it means to be human. O'Gieblyn discusses the rise of social media and the ways in which it has altered our sense of self and our relationships with others. She also explores the ways in which technology has been used to create new forms of surveillance and control.
- The third part, "Animal," examines the ways in which technology has changed our relationship to the natural world. O'Gieblyn discusses the rise of factory farming and the ways in which it has commodified animals. She also explores the use of technology in animal research and the ethical implications of this.
- The fourth part, "Machine," examines the ways in which technology has become increasingly intertwined with our lives. O'Gieblyn discusses the rise of automation and the ways in which it is displacing human workers. She also explores the ways in which technology is changing our experience of time and space.
God, Human, Animal, Machine is a thought-provoking book that challenges our assumptions about ourselves, our relationships, and our place in the world. It is a must-read for anyone who is interested in the future of humanity and the role of technology in our lives."
