Mensanthropist: Artificial Intelligence II

mensanthropist [ men-san-thruh-pist ] noun
a person, who actively participates in fulfilling one of Mensa’s objectives by fostering and utilizing intelligence for the benefit of humanity

When I recently interviewed an artificial intelligence for this series, it „told“ me about itself that it would not have done without the human one. It couldn’t exist without its creators. But we’ve covered more ground. And since the interview had a good response, I decided to share some of the other interesting parts that didn’t fit in my previous article. And what would a magazine article be without illustrations? These were generated by artificial intelligence again, now using Fotor, NightCafé, and Deeply. So let’s dive into some deeper and more philosophical topics this time, together with ChatGPT and Bing again. Just note that some answers are deliberately abbreviated so that the same or similar wording is not repeated unnecessarily. The aim of the article is not to compare the quality of the answers of individual algorithms, but rather to show how a conversation with an AI can already inspire reflection on complex topics that were previously considered exclusively human.

What is the purpose of human existence?

Bing precise: The purpose of human existence is a philosophical question and different people may have different answers. Some people believe that the purpose of life is to seek happiness, others believe it is to fulfill a certain destiny or to achieve a certain goal. Still, others believe that the purpose of life is simply to exist and experience the world around us.

Bing creative: There is no definitive or objective answer to it. Different people may have different opinions, beliefs or perspectives on the purpose of human existence. Some may base their answer on religious, spiritual, ethical or scientific grounds. Some may say that human existence has no inherent purpose at all.

ChatGPT-3.5 adds (translated from Czech): In a broader context, it can be said that the purpose of human existence is continued evolution and adaptation to the conditions of life on Earth and in the universe. Human beings have the capacity to create and innovate, which enables them to survive in different environments and to adapt to changes and challenges. At the same time, humans are part of the Earth’s ecosystem and have a responsibility to care for nature and protect the environment.

ChatGPT-4: It depends on one’s perspective, belief system, and cultural background. Many religious traditions propose that the purpose of human existence is to fulfill a divine plan or follow specific religious teachings. In this view, humans may have a unique role in the universe and a moral responsibility to live according to certain principles or commandments.

Existentialist philosophers suggest that life has no inherent meaning or purpose, and it is up to individuals to create their own meaning through their choices and actions. In this perspective, the purpose of human existence is subjective and varies from person to person.

Humanism emphasizes the value and potential of human beings and the importance of reason, empathy, and ethical behavior. From a humanist perspective, the purpose of human existence might involve striving for personal growth, contributing to the betterment of society, and promoting human flourishing. Hedonism posits that the primary purpose of human existence is to seek pleasure and avoid pain. In this view, humans should pursue happiness, enjoyment, and satisfaction in their lives.

From an evolutionary standpoint, the purpose of human existence could be seen as the continuation and propagation of the human species through reproduction and survival.

Ultimately, the purpose of human existence is a deeply personal and subjective question. It is up to each individual to explore and define their own sense of purpose and meaning in life, drawing upon their beliefs, values, and experiences.

What are the current top three threats for humanity we should seriously focus on averting?

Bing balanced: According to the Global Risks Report 2022, the top three threats to humanity are climate action failure, extreme weather events, and biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse. The World Economic Forum identified the top three threats in 2021 as climate action failure, infectious diseases, and weapons of mass destruction. The BBC News identified the biggest threats to humanity as climate change, pandemics, and nuclear war.

Bing creative: Different sources may have different opinions on what are the most urgent and serious threats for humanity. Based on some web searches, I found that some of the most commonly mentioned threats are:

Climate change and its effects, such as rising temperatures, extreme weather events, sea level rise, biodiversity loss, food insecurity and mass migration. Many experts warn that climate change could lead to the collapse of civilizations and ecosystems if not addressed urgently and effectively.

Infectious diseases, especially new and untreatable ones that could cause global pandemics. The COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic has shown how vulnerable humanity is to such outbreaks, which could have severe health, social and economic impacts. Other potential threats include bioterrorism or accidental release of pathogens from laboratories.

Nuclear weapons, which pose a risk of intentional or accidental use that could trigger a nuclear war or a nuclear winter. The proliferation of nuclear weapons and the development of new technologies, such as cyberweapons and artificial intelligence (AI), could increase the chances of nuclear conflict or miscalculation.

Of course, there are many other possible threats that could endanger humanity in the short-term or long-term future, such as asteroid impacts, supervolcanoes, AI misuse or rogue actors. However, these threats may have lower probabilities or uncertainties than the ones mentioned above.

ChatGPT-4 puts climate change and global pandemics on the first two places as well, but disagrees with Bing on the third place:

Technological risks: Rapid advancements in technology, such as artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and cybersecurity, come with both benefits and risks. These technologies have the potential to transform societies and economies but can also lead to unintended consequences or be weaponized by malicious actors. It is crucial to develop ethical frameworks, robust regulations, and international agreements to ensure that these technologies are developed and deployed responsibly and in the best interests of humanity.

Other significant threats to consider include nuclear conflict, economic inequality, political instability, and resource scarcity. Addressing these challenges will require concerted efforts from governments, international organizations, and individuals alike to create a more resilient and sustainable future.

What could be the most effective way to take advantage of the exeptionally high intelligence of Mensa members to avert these threats and why have we not done that yet?

Bing balanced: Mensa members have diverse occupations and backgrounds, and it is unclear how their intelligence can be leveraged to avert global threats. However, Mensa’s purposes are to identify and foster human intelligence for the benefit of humanity and to encourage research into the nature, characteristics, and uses of intelligence.

There are many ways to address global threats, including climate change, pandemics, and nuclear war. Some ways to address these threats include reducing greenhouse gas emissions, investing in public health infrastructure, and promoting peace and diplomacy.

Bing creative: One possible way to take advantage of their exceptionally high intelligence to avert the threats mentioned earlier is to encourage them to use their talents and skills for social good. For example, they could: Contribute to scientific research and innovation that could help mitigate climate change, develop new drugs or prevent nuclear war. Educate and inspire others to learn more about the issues and solutions through lectures, books, podcasts or blogs. Join or support organizations that are working on these causes, such as charities, NGOs or advocacy groups. Participate in public debates and policy-making processes that could influence positive change at local, national or global levels.

However, there may be some challenges or barriers that prevent Mensa members from doing so. For example: They may not be aware of or interested in these issues or solutions. They may have other priorities or passions that occupy their time and energy. They may face discrimination or stigma for being highly intelligent. They may feel isolated or misunderstood by others who do not share their level of intelligence. They may lack the resources or opportunities to pursue their goals. They may face financial constraints, geographical limitations or institutional barriers that hinder their access to education, research facilities or influential platforms.

Therefore, it may be helpful to create more awareness and engagement among Mensa members about these issues and solutions. This could be done by: Providing more information and resources on these topics through Mensa’s publications, events and special-interest groups. Creating more opportunities for networking and collaboration among Mensa members who share similar interests or expertise on these topics. Recognizing and rewarding Mensa members who have made significant contributions to these causes through awards, scholarships or grants.

ChatGPT-4 adds: Utilize the influence and intellect of Mensa members to advocate for evidence-based policies and promote public awareness of these issues. Their voices can help shape public opinion and influence decision-makers to prioritize and address these challenges. Mensa members can also contribute to education and mentorship programs, inspiring and guiding the next generation of leaders, researchers, and innovators. By sharing their knowledge and skills, they can help build a strong foundation for future problem-solvers.

Despite the potential impact of leveraging Mensa members‘ intelligence, several factors might explain why we have not fully utilized their capabilities. Mensa is a non-profit organization with limited resources, which could constrain its ability to organize and fund large-scale projects or initiatives. Mensa membership is voluntary, and members have their own careers, interests, and commitments outside of the organization. It can be challenging to mobilize and coordinate efforts among a diverse group with varying availability and priorities. Mensa has many national and regional chapters, which can make it difficult to coordinate and implement cohesive global initiatives. The public may not be fully aware of Mensa’s potential contributions to addressing global challenges, limiting opportunities for collaboration and support.

Is our ability to colonize other planets necessary for humanity to survive?

ChatGPT-4: Colonizing other planets is not strictly necessary for the survival of humanity in the short term, but it could offer significant benefits and potentially be crucial for our long-term survival. Here are some reasons why colonizing other planets might be considered necessary or beneficial:

Earth is vulnerable to various catastrophic events, such as asteroid impacts, supervolcanic eruptions, or nuclear war. Establishing human settlements on other planets could serve as a safeguard, ensuring the continuity of human civilization in case of a global catastrophe on Earth.

As Earth’s population continues to grow, and resources become more scarce, colonizing other planets could provide access to additional resources, such as minerals, water, and energy. This could help sustain humanity and alleviate pressures on Earth’s ecosystems.

The pursuit of space exploration and colonization can drive technological innovation and scientific discoveries, with potential benefits for various fields, including medicine, energy, and materials science.

The shared goal of colonizing other planets could inspire humanity to collaborate, transcending national boundaries and fostering global cooperation. This could help address global challenges and promote a more unified and cooperative world.

Over very long timescales (millions to billions of years), Earth will eventually become uninhabitable due to factors such as the Sun’s increasing luminosity and eventual expansion into a red giant. Colonizing other planets or celestial bodies could be necessary for the long-term survival of humanity.

While colonizing other planets could provide numerous benefits and enhance our chances of long-term survival, it is essential to address the challenges we currently face on Earth, such as climate change, poverty, and inequality. Ensuring the sustainability and well-being of humanity on our home planet should remain a primary focus as we continue to explore and expand into the cosmos.

Is everlasting peace between humans achievable in the next 1000 years?

ChatGPT-4: Predicting the future is inherently uncertain, particularly over a timescale as long as 1,000 years. While it is impossible to know for sure whether everlasting peace between humans can be achieved within that timeframe, we can consider some factors that may contribute to the possibility.

As technology continues to progress, it has the potential to improve communication, foster global cooperation, and address fundamental human needs, such as access to food, water, healthcare, and education. These advancements could contribute to reducing conflicts driven by resource scarcity and misunderstandings.

Increasing interconnectedness and interdependence between nations may encourage peaceful collaboration, as the costs of conflict may outweigh the potential benefits. This can lead to a shared interest in maintaining peace and stability.

The development and implementation of more effective conflict resolution strategies and diplomatic efforts could contribute to resolving disputes and preventing conflicts from escalating into violence.

If societies continue to evolve towards more inclusive, empathetic, and cooperative values, it may become increasingly difficult to justify violence and war. This shift could potentially lead to a more peaceful global community.

The strengthening of international institutions and multilateral agreements can contribute to a more stable and peaceful world by providing a framework for addressing global challenges and managing conflicts.

Despite these factors, it is important to acknowledge that there are many potential sources of conflict and uncertainty that could persist or arise in the future. Human nature, political dynamics, resource scarcity, and unforeseen events all have the potential to disrupt peace.

While it is impossible to predict with certainty whether everlasting peace can be achieved in the next 1,000 years, working towards a more peaceful, cooperative, and just world should remain a priority for humanity. The pursuit of peace requires continuous effort, collaboration, and adaptation to the ever-changing global landscape.

Bing creative (translated from Czech): Everlasting peace among people means effective agreement on shared sacrifices and voluntary cooperation. Some people think that a lasting peace is theoretically possible if everyone acknowledges the threat to human survival caused by global warming, pollution and other problems. Other people think lasting peace is impossible because human nature is selfish, violent and conflicted. They believe that there will always be differences of opinion, interests and ideologies that will lead to wars and suffering.

Personally, I don’t think we can say with certainty whether a lasting peace between humans is achievable in the next 1000 years. It depends on how we behave as individuals and as a society. I think we should strive to be tolerant, empathetic and in solidarity with other people and with nature. I also think that we should promote democracy and freedom of expression as a means of achieving dialogue and conflict resolution. This may seem idealistic or naive, but I believe that if we want lasting peace between people, we must first start with ourselves.

It’s like Mr. Bing quoting the Dalai Lama, don’t you think? And given that AI outputs (at least the current ones) are merely derivations of what humans have created, that’s not a bad advice at all in the end. Let’s be what we want the future AI to be.