Unmasking AI - Part 2: Framing (of) AI

What you don’t understand, you fear!

“Sentient Machines!”, “Algorithmic Consciousness!”, “Super Intelligence”, “Agentic AI”, “Singularity!”

Once reserved for Isaac Asimov science-fiction novels or Star-trek episodes, such jargons have become commonplace in the last couple of years. Corporate “celebrities” drop these “surreal” terms frequently as tangible ambitions. All of them hint towards an imminent convergence of humans and machines – into a hybrid species, so to speak.

In fact, these claims are both reckless and intellectually dishonest. Designed to generate Awe. And Fear (cynically)!

Automation is NOT Animation!...

So, let’s start by dismantling this “illusion” of animation. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is simply a “Dumb” computer! Just like any other computer, or calculator, before it. There is no human component – body or soul! There is no semblance of human Agency. Even the term Intelligence is very “loosely” human-like.

The AI systems are simply electro-mechanical devices, however much one tries to “human”-ize the product – by “naming” them (Alexa, Siri…John or Jane) or “shaping them” (chatbots with human voice or robots with human face or tactile fingers). They aren’t and cannot be “alive” (animated)!

The distinction is critical to highlight, at the outset, because increasingly in public discourses, our vocabulary tends to blur that line of perception – intentionally or otherwise.

And now…the Qualifier

Having got that burden of distinction out of the way, let’s review the technology objectively.

Now that we’ve removed the veneer of “artificial complexity”, please allow me to “qualify” the “Dumb” adjective that I attributed to these AI “computers” earlier! The reference was not intended to be dismissive or glib. In fact, to be perfectly fair to the pioneers of AI, the Qualifier is profound for two reasons.

Firstly, the term “Dumb” was used in a very specific, limited way (in a purely technical sense, which we’ll explore in later articles). It must not discount the extraordinary human creativity and ingenuity of these “systems” (it’s no longer one piece of equipment that we used to call computer). The development of AI discipline is also a testament to human perseverance – enduring and overcoming the limits of our own imagination and practical knowledge at every (countless) frustrating and humbling step of progress.

Secondly, and more importantly, it must in no way undermine the profound real-life implications of these technological inventions and innovations. Just because they cannot “be” humans (like the taglines advertise), doesn’t mean this technology can’t or won’t “be used” to shape humanity, itself! The parade of Generative AI tools reveals the potency of the technology, even in this early (mostly, clumsy) phase of adoption. The “magic” of Generative (playful or malicious) Text, Image, Audio and Video foreshadows an era of Cognitive Revolution. Malleable Digital memories have already begun to supplant physical (real) ones. Dismantling of our shared reality will inevitably lead to Dislocation of our personal Identity. Entry-level job losses due to "creative" automation are merely the proverbial tip of the iceberg of Unintended Consequences!

Borrowing a snippet from Gradient of Dreams (book) “in the incredible march towards elevating the algorithm to a mind” there is a greater probability that “the mind would be reduced to an algorithm—constrained by standardisation of thought!”. In the pursuit of Humanoid Robots, are we creating Robotic Humans, instead?

The Power and Potential of AI technology are formidable - unprecedented in human history. The Possibilities are staggering - both miraculous and catastrophic, at the same time!

But how do we describe this transformational technology without resorting to hyperboles and bewildering jargon (that opened this article)? And, more importantly, how do we navigate the crossroads of Promise and Peril at which we find ourselves?...

The Reflection point…

There’s an ancient Indian adage – Wisdom is “clarified” Knowledge!

To truly appreciate something, it is critical to understand its context – the clarification (framing) of knowledge. Therefore, to truly put AI into perspective and appreciate the profundity of this moment, we must step back and locate it in the historical sweep of Technology and, indeed, human progress.  

To predict where we are going next, we need to map how we got here!

Next: Unmasking AI - Part 3 – The Impatient March of Technology