Project Vision 21

Searching for recent news related to the future, I came across the article “How Much of Our Humanity Are We Willing to Outsource to AI?” by Sage Cammers-Goodwin and Rosalie Waelen, (The Nation, March 27, 2024), where the authors question the passive acceptance of artificial intelligence (AI) and advanced AI systems such as AGI (Artificial General Intelligence).

Such uncritical acceptance of a technological future is known as a techno-determinist narrative, that is, a belief system that views technological progress as inevitable and inherently desirable, often overshadowing critical reflections on its broader implications for society.

The techno-determinist narrative, by suggesting that the only topic of debate is the ethical, social and existential implications of AI, prevents another deeper, urgent and necessary dialogue on how to regulate and optimize AI systems. In other words, the narrative of technological determinism is self-reinforcing.

This narrative, presented and accepted as the only possible alternative, subtly shapes our collective consciousness, fostering a mindset that passively accepts the trajectory of technological advancement without questioning its underlying assumptions or potential consequences.

By framing AI and AGI as inevitable forces of progress, we risk overlooking alternative futures and giving up agency in shaping the role of technology in our lives.

As Cammers-Goodwin and Waelen highlighted, this techno-determinist perspective urges us to reevaluate our priorities and values ​​as a society. Are we willing to sacrifice elements of our humanity for the sake of technological advancement? Is the relentless pursuit of efficiency and automation coming at the expense of human connection, creativity and meaning?

Furthermore, the authors question the wisdom of blindly accepting generative AI systems. While these systems may offer tantalizing promises of innovation and convenience, we must critically examine their implications for privacy, autonomy, and societal well-being. In fact, such systems could aggravate existing inequalities and erode the fabric of social cohesion.

To navigate this complex landscape, we must transcend the limitations of a techno-deterministic narrative and cultivate a wisdom, intelligence, and understanding that does not reduce reality and the future to just more and more technology, no matter how tempting it may be to delegate our lives. and our futures in AI.

Ultimately, the techno-determinist narrative presents both opportunities and challenges in shaping our future with AI. By interrogating its underlying assumptions and implications, we can chart a course toward a future where technology serves as a catalyst for human flourishing rather than a determinant of our destiny.

“We should not let the promise of productivity or narrow debates about AI’s ethical implications distract us from the bigger picture. Under the guise of improving humanity by increasing productivity, we risk releasing our ultimate replacement. We should not overestimate the durability of human skills”, Cammers-Goodwin and Waelen wrote.

It is time to answer the call, the call to critically evaluate and re-evaluate the impact of technology on our lives and actively participate in shaping a future that aligns with our values, aspirations, and collective well-being. Human life is too valuable for the human future to no longer be human.