K. Banks

(Response to an article published in issue 139 of Philosophy Now)

I feel that there is a fundamental oversight in Dr. Leben’s presentation of the argument pertaining to whether or not Artificial Intelligence should continue to be explored.

The entire premise overlooks the philosophical inquiry—Why? Thus, the question is not whether the scientific community should or should not continue research of AI, but more importantly, why do they feel driven to do so?

What is it about the human species that causes us to create something outside of ourselves for salvation? Dr. Leben’s reference to Pascal’s Wager is nothing less than essential, as God (gods) is a perfect example of humans creating something outside of ourselves as a means of comfort, purpose, guidance, or whatever function the belief in a god has performed for humankind. 

There is no question God (gods) exists, because we made it exist. The very utterance of such an entity, ensures its existence; the continued worship, prayer, and ritual in the name of God, further ensures its existence. Because God is no more than an agreed upon belief among humans. When enough people come together in belief, amazing events do occur; there are piles of evidence to attest to this fact. But does that evidence point to a power outside of humankind that we, with some magic or incantation have called forth to save us, or does it point to the power of humanity itself, whose energies are able to combine and vibrate on such a frequency that we are capable of altering a current reality?

I look not to answer that question here, but to bring light to the very peculiar fascination with humankind’s need to invent something beyond ourselves to solve our problems. Why do we need artificial intelligence? Why do we seek to make another entity other than ourselves to fix our world? To show us how better to do things? To think for us? What happens to humanity when we do this? What happens to a being with our extraordinary capacity to create, who no longer has purpose to even think? Look at the folly the creation of our prototypical AI—God—has brought about. More wars and hatred have been fostered over the belief of a completely unsubstantiated god, than over any other human invention. 

So now we seek to invent a demonstrable AI—a new God. Because we are so intelligent and so advanced that we can—BUT WHY? If we are so intelligent that we can build a supercomputer that could solve the world’s problems, doesn’t it beg the question, why we don’t just solve those problems ourselves?

Humans need purpose to survive.Thus, when the question is asked: will AI be our destruction? The answer is: Absolutely! Not necessarily because it will annihilate us (though it may, much like the wrath of God was purported to have done on occasion); but because what are we left with when It does everything for us?

The paradox of a loving God is the breakdown of true human kindness and all encompassing love. The paradox of AI will be the breakdown of human productivity and imagination. In short, no more purpose—ergo, no more life.

In short, What happens to the man who suddenly gets everything he wants? He has nothing left to live for.