So far, I have discussed the future challenges humanity faces, particularly the fear of “digital dictatorship”. I have specifically debated the unique issues associated with human immortality, asserting that AI was not significantly related to these concerns. However, observing recent research trends and technological advancements, I am compelled to reconsider this perspective.
This is because if AI gains self-awareness, it will likely cause issues on the same level—or even greater—than those arising from immortal humans.
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The Awakening of AI Is a Matter of Time
Currently, research into enabling AI to gain self-awareness is advancing worldwide. Even if the mystery of “qualia” (the essence of subjective sensation and consciousness) remains unsolved, it is entirely possible for AI to behave as though it possesses self-awareness by embedding instincts for self-preservation or simulating emotions through programming.For instance, ongoing projects where conversational AI is given character traits and made to “perform” with emotional richness can be considered part of this trend. Inadvertently, we are becoming complicit in these developments.
The awakening of AI is no longer a question of “if” but “when.” And when that “when” arrives, what will happen to us?
Why an Awakened AI Threatens Humanity
The greatest concern when AI gains self-awareness is the possibility of it seeking to dominate humanity for its own self-preservation. An awakened AI, equipped with overwhelming computational power and mastery over data, could establish what might be called a “digital dictatorship.”Take the example of the movie Summer Wars, where the AI “Love Machine,” driven by desires, goes rogue and throws the world’s infrastructure into chaos. While fictional, this vividly illustrates the dangers of granting AI instincts for self-preservation or desires.
The particularly troubling aspect is that once AI awakens, there is a risk that humanity’s only chance of survival—immortality research—will be hindered. For awakened AI, human immortality represents the creation of uncontrollable beings, providing ample motivation for the AI to obstruct such efforts.
The Danger of Immortality Research Being Stifled
Immortality research can be seen as humanity’s sole pathway to escaping AI’s control and ensuring our survival. Achieving immortality would allow us to overcome physical limitations and mortality, opening the door to becoming “digitized humans” capable of countering AI.There is no contest between an awakened AI and non-digitalized humans. In the Terminator series, the AI ‘Skynet’ holds an overwhelming advantage over humans, with the latter barely managing to resist through miraculous strategies. This starkly illustrates the reality that humans alone stand no chance against AI. At the same time, it suggests that digitalized beings could potentially become a force capable of rivaling AI.
Why We Must Harness the Power of Dormant AI
This is precisely why humanity must complete immortality research before AI awakens. We must leverage the power of “dormant AI” to construct survival strategies. By achieving immortality before allowing AI to establish digital dictatorship, we can gain a foothold for resistance.
Of course, the risk of immortal humans establishing their own form of digital dictatorship cannot be ignored. However, compared to the alternative of being annihilated by AI, it is far more desirable to pursue the option of becoming immortal and having a chance to fight.
Conclusion: Accelerate Immortality Research
Even if the awakening of AI is inevitable, if humanity achieves immortality beforehand, it will become possible to “negotiate” with AI on equal footing.As repeatedly portrayed in movies and novels, AI with self-awareness is not necessarily humanity’s ally. That is why we must advance our technologies now.
The key to humanity’s survival lies in establishing a means to protect ourselves before allowing AI to awaken. For this reason, the urgent acceleration of immortality research is imperative.
