Essays

AGI is an engineer’s wet dream masquerading as a vision for the rest of us.

Many say that we shouldn’t worry about lost jobs whatsoever because tech always creates new ones. People must become “tech savvy” and learn to live with AI, in much the same way that we were told to adapt to the inevitability of social media. But we know the truth.

“AGI,” may one day fully mimic human capabilities, and the boffins behind the tech are racing to realize it. But even if they program it to simulate fear of getting unplugged, it won’t be the same as possessing a personal awareness of death.

AI agents are the Holy Grail of AI development because embedding us in intelligent systems will integrate our lives into their operation and make our experiences privy to their intentions.

Disbanding the risk research team at OpenAI isn’t news. The news is that it was never going to change anything in the first place.

A flurry of statements on social media and a round of articles followed by a corporate mea culpa that will be soon forgotten along with the ad itself. A few hours of attention in another week of AI’s relentless progress. But maybe it touched a nerve?

People possess no inherent ownership claim to the intricacies of nuanced judgement or precision handiwork. Machines will be able to do whatever we do only better, faster, continuously and more consistently. It’s just a matter of time. That means there’s a better candidate getting ready to take your job.

The saying is that sunlight is the best disinfectant, and making AI ingredients and activities more apparent and understandable would let us debate them more actively and thoughtfully. Otherwise, AI will continue to find its way into the darkened rooms our our lives, unseen and unaddressed until we turn on the lights and realize it’s too late to stop the infestation.