The concept of an AI apocalypse has sparked intense debate among experts and tech leaders, with some warning about the existential risks of advanced AI and others seeing it as a potential catalyst for human evolution. At the heart of this debate is the language used to describe AI, which has taken on a distinctly religious tone.
Geoffrey Hinton, a pioneer in deep learning and neural networks, has sounded the alarm about the dangers of uncontrolled and unregulated artificial intelligence. Like a modern-day prophet, Hinton is raising awareness about the potential risks of AI, urging the public to pressure politicians into action. His concerns are echoed by other experts, including physicist Max Tegmark, who has helped spearhead an open letter calling for powerful AI labs to pause training their systems.
However, not everyone shares these concerns. Some tech leaders, like Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei, envision a future where AI transforms the world for the better. Amodei predicts that AI could lead to the defeat of most diseases, growth in biological and cognitive freedom, and a renaissance of liberal democracy and human rights.
The language used to describe AI's potential is often apocalyptic, with terms like "singularity" and "artificial general intelligence" evoking images of a technological Armageddon or a divine-like intelligence. This kind of language has become increasingly prevalent, with some experts arguing that it's not just about the technology itself but about the values and meanings we assign to it.
Robert Geraci, a professor who studies religion and technology, believes that the tech world's veneration of AI is causally linked to its inherent religiosity. "We human beings are deeply, profoundly, inherently religious," he said, adding that the impressive technologies behind AI might appeal to people in Silicon Valley who have already pushed aside "ordinary approaches to transcendence and meaning."
As AI continues to advance and integrate into our daily lives, the debate surrounding its potential impact will only intensify. While some see AI as a tool for immense progress, others warn about its potential risks and unintended consequences. One thing is certain – the conversation around AI will continue to shape our understanding of this technology and its role in society.
