Beyond apocalyptic and salvatory visions in the age of AI: a plea for Digital Humanism
DESCRIPTION
In the distant future, we may look back on human history and speak of three major disruptive technological innovations. The transition from a hunter-gatherer culture to a sedentary agricultural culture with agriculture and animal husbandry in the Neolithic Age, the transition to the machine age based on fossil fuels in the 19th century and finally the digital revolution of the 21st century: the use of artificial intelligence. If this is ever the case, then we are only at the beginning of a technological revolution, similar to Europe in the first decades of the 19th century. And just like back then, technological innovations today are accompanied by apocalyptic fears as well as euphoric expectations. The latter can be described as "Silicon Valley ideology", according to which comprehensive digitalisation will create a utopian world in which transparency, predictability and economic success will deliver us from all the evils of this world.
Digital Humanism provides a counterpoint here. It sets itself apart from the apocalypticists because it trusts human reason and it sets itself apart from the euphorics because it respects the limits of digital technology. Digital Humanism does not transform people into machines and does not interpret machines as people. It advocates an instrumental approach to digitalisation and does not make the mistake of believing that software systems are intelligent and have perceptions and even emotions, i.e. that they can recognise and make decisions. We should beware of the self-deception that we first develop digital machines that simulate emotions, insights and decisions, only to be surprised to find that these machines give the impression that they have emotions and are capable of recognising and making decisions.
Digital Humanism is not defensive; it does not want to slow down technological progress in the age of artificial intelligence, but rather promote it. It is in favour of accelerating human progress by using digital possibilities to make our lives richer, more efficient and more sustainable. He does not dream of a completely new, human form of existence, like the transhumanists, but is optimistic about the human creative power of digital potential.
WHY THE COMMITTEE CHOSE THIS TALK
Prof. Nida-Rümelin is one of the most renowned philosophers in Germany. Having studied mathematics, physics and politics besides philosophy he offers a unique view in the AI debate.
