22 MARCH 2023 AI

You hear a lot these days about artificial intelligence, more commonly referred to as AI. What is intelligence? According to the American Heritage dictionary, it is the ability to acquire, understand, and use knowledge. Based on this definition, it is clear that intelligence is not unique to human beings. Every species acquires knowledge and understanding about its own environment and needs. It learns what it needs to know for its survival, such as finding and/or hunting for food. It is able to seek out shelter and habitat that suits it; and it can solve problems like where to find water, which nearly every species requires. It has memory as well because what is learning, if not an accumulation of memories? Many animals have the ability to count; otherwise, how does a maternal mammal that has litters, know when one of her offspring is missing?

The definition of artificial, is something that is produced by human beings, rather than by Nature. While AI has the ability to “learn,” its learning does not occur naturally. Why do humans want, or even need to create, artificial intelligence? Am I the only person who finds this disturbing? Is it really necessary to “talk” to our phones and other electronic devices? We now have a generation that habitually gives commands to Alexa: “Alexa, turn out the lights.” “Alexa, play sleep music.” “Alexa, take me home.” etc.

It concerns me that AI has no sense of right or wrong – no moral compass. It simply does what it is told to do. Modern society has focused its attention and resources on intelligence, falsely believing that this will provide us ultimate power over the world we live in; but intelligence without wisdom is a dangerous thing. Why are we not content, knowing that we are a part of Nature, rather than separate from her; and why do we believe that we must control the world around us?