Isaac Asimov describes how AI will liberate humans and their creativity (1992)

(www.openculture.com)

170 points bookofjoe | 1 comments | 10 Apr 25 14:30 UTC | HN request time: 0.001s | source

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kogus ◴[10 Apr 25 15:11 UTC] No.43644640[source]▶

I think we need to consider what the end goal of technology is at a very broad level.

Asimov says in this that there are things computers will be good at, and things humans will be good at. By embracing that complementary relationship, we can advance as a society and be free to do the things that only humans can do.

That is definitely how I wish things were going. But it's becoming clear that within a few more years, computers will be far better at absolutely everything than human beings could ever be. We are not far even now from a prompt accepting a request such as "Write a another volume of the Foundation series, in the style of Isaac Asimov", and getting a complete novel that does not need editing, does not need review, and is equal to or better than the quality of the original novels.

When that goal is achieved, what then are humans "for"? Humans need purpose, and we are going to be in a position where we don't serve any purpose. I am worried about what will become of us after we have made ourselves obsolete.

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foobarian ◴[10 Apr 25 15:15 UTC] No.43644695[source]▶

>>43644640 #

> what then are humans "for"?

Folding laundry

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1. giraffe_lady ◴[10 Apr 25 17:33 UTC] No.43646214[source]▶

>>43644695 #

Here's a passage from a children's book I've been carrying around in my heart for a few decades:

“I don't like cleaning or dusting or cooking or doing dishes, or any of those things," I explained to her. "And I don't usually do it. I find it boring, you see."

"Everyone has to do those things," she said.

"Rich people don't," I pointed out.

Juniper laughed, as she often did at things I said in those early days, but at once became quite serious.

"They miss a lot of fun," she said. "But quite apart from that--keeping yourself clean, preparing the food you are going to eat, clearing it away afterward--that's what life's about, Wise Child. When people forget that, or lose touch with it, then they lose touch with other important things as well."

"Men don't do those things."

"Exactly. Also, as you clean the house up, it gives you time to tidy yourself up inside--you'll see.”

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