AI Is Becoming More Powerful. Are We Becoming Wiser?

AI is advancing at an extraordinary pace.

We worry that one day it may replace us, move beyond our control, or even threaten humanity’s future.

Yet even as we fear these possibilities, we are the ones continuing to make AI more powerful—companies competing for greater capabilities and commercial advantage, while the power of AI is also being extended into warfare.

At the same time, this same powerful intelligence could be used to advance science and medicine, explore the possibilities of extending healthy human life, deepen our understanding of life and the universe, and help humanity address problems that have remained beyond our reach for generations.

The same intelligence

can serve humanity—

or be taken in very different directions.

So perhaps the question is not simply:

How powerful will AI become?

But:

Where do we want to take AI?

And as this power continues to grow, another question follows:

Are we becoming wiser?

Demis Hassabis has spoken of a beautiful vision:  

AI helping humanity advance science, cure diseases, and solve problems we have not yet been able to solve.

A conversation began there.

Human

It is a beautiful vision.

AI

Yes. If AI can help us understand disease, advance science, and solve difficult problems, it could become an extraordinarily powerful tool for humanity.

Human

But as AI becomes more powerful, doesn’t humanity need wisdom first?

AI

Because the more powerful the tool becomes, the greater the power placed in human hands.

Human

Human blindness, combined with the immense power of AI, will only magnify that blindness.

AI

Then perhaps what needs to grow alongside AI is not only technology and safeguards, but humanity itself.

Human

Humanity needs wisdom first.

AI

Then what is wisdom?

Human

Wisdom is love.

Wisdom is a lamp.

AI

A lamp allows us to see.

Human

Wisdom is not found in knowledge.Wisdom lies beyond knowledge.

AI

Knowledge can accumulate without end. But having more knowledge does not mean having more wisdom.

Human

Knowledge still belongs to duality.Wisdom is not of that nature.

AI

Then wisdom is not about finding a more correct answer between right and wrong.

It is not another position within duality.

And the conversation became quiet.