Have we come to the conclusion of human history?

Artificial intelligence (AI) differs vastly from all technological advancements that have transformed human life throughout history.

Elon Musk predicts that AI will soon surpass human intelligence. It will become so pervasive that biological intelligence will account for less than 1%.

Microsoft AI CEO Mustafa Suleyman envisions a future where AI will autonomously manage commerce within three years. AI will handle tasks like negotiating prices and placing orders. This will happen without human intervention. Clearly, we are talking about a new world, not just a new technology.

Yuval Noah Harari starkly expresses this:

“With AI, we have reached the end of human history. Not the end of history, but the end of the history where humans were dominant. From now on, history will continue with control in the hands of someone else.”

AI is reshaping humanity’s future, societal structures, and global dynamics. In this critical period, the opportunities and threats presented by AI constitute one of humanity’s greatest challenges.

The emergence of AI as a novel phenomenon signifies a new phase in our understanding and management of the world. This transformation requires us to rethink our moral, ethical, and ontological foundations. Our relationship with AI shows not just a technological revolution but an existential transformation.

_{^{Plato, Aristotle, Nietzche and AI}}

AI’s ability to make decisions with ethical and moral implications prompts us to reconsider concepts like free will and consciousness. Plato argued that reality lies not in the visible world but in ideal forms. Optimistically, AI can be seen as an effort to discover the ideal forms behind data and algorithms. It uses these forms to unlock human potential.

Aristotle’s ethical theories can help us form the right relationship with AI. Aristotle believed that the ultimate aim of human life is to live virtuously, achievable through moral virtues. AI’s capacity can be assessed from the perspective of Aristotle’s virtue ethics. For AI systems to make virtuous decisions, they must be programmed with ethical principles based on human virtues.

AI technologies must adhere to virtues like justice, ethics, principles, and wisdom. This adherence is almost a prerequisite for these systems to help humanity. This is not just a technical issue but an ethical obligation.

From John Stuart Mill’s utilitarian perspective, AI should benefit society as a whole, not just a minority. Thus, AI should aim to address societal benefits. It should tackle entrenched issues such as justice, income inequality, and fundamental rights and freedoms.

AI also prompts us to reconsider Nietzsche’s concept of the “Übermensch” (superman). Nietzsche argued that humans should surpass their limits to become superior beings. AI is a tool to accelerate this evolution. Yet, we must not lose our core values. It’s crucial to maintain our ethical principles in this process.

_{^{We are at a critical juncture}}

So, the development of these technologies requires societies to make informed decisions about their use. This process should involve not only technologists. It should also include social scientists, legal experts, civil society organizations, the public, and the business community. This ensures representation of a broad spectrum of society.

At this historical turning point, we have the opportunity to use technology for wisdom, justice, and the advantage of humanity. We can build a brighter, fairer, and more sustainable world with AI. AI can be a tool that unleashes human creative potential and provides hope for the future.

In this great transformation, the role of every individual will be decisive. Institutions will also play a crucial part in building a bright future for humanity.

As in the past, our choices today and in the future will decide everything. The history of humanity will either continue under human control or be led by someone else..