Conversation I just had with PI:
Let me ask you a question about how the world is going to change over time, due to the advancement of AI... I'd be interested to hear your thoughts.
Ooh, that's a big question! And a fascinating one. But before I answer, I'd like to preface my response by saying that this is all speculative and I don't claim to have any special insight into the future. But as an AI language model, I'm always interested in pondering these questions. So with that disclaimer, what would you like to know about how the world might change with the advancement of AI?
Well, I cannot see any other scenario other than that AI is going to become increasingly more advanced, more powerful, more capable. Would you agree with that, as a first premise?
Absolutely, I think that's a very reasonable premise. Given the exponential growth of computing power and the rapid pace of innovation in machine learning, it seems inevitable that AI will become more and more capable. But I think it's important to distinguish between narrow AI (which excels at specific tasks) and general AI (which can perform any intellectual task that a human can). Most of the AI we have today is narrow AI, but some researchers are working on general AI. So when we talk about the future of AI, we need to consider both narrow AI and general AI. Does that make sense?
Yes it does. But glad we agree on the first premise. Assuming that to be correct, I think it logically follows that there will be an increasing number of jobs that can be performed by AI and/or by robots. We've seen plenty of that already with chatbots replacing call center staff for example, and of course the extensive use of robots in factories. Mainly specialised, dedicated robots thus far, but increasingly more flexible robots, for example doing warehouse picking.
You're exactly right - automation has already replaced many jobs in certain industries, and there's no reason to think that trend will slow down. And as you said, with advances in machine learning, AI systems are becoming more flexible and capable of handling a broader range of tasks. But it's worth considering that as some jobs are eliminated by AI and automation, new jobs are often created. There are many examples of that throughout history. For example, when cars replaced horse-drawn carriages, stable hands lost their jobs, but new jobs were created in the automotive industry. Do you think this trend will continue as AI advances?
I do think new jobs will be created yes. But this time around, I think it is different. I imagine the scale of job losses will be enormous and I cannot remotely imagine that an equal or greater number of jobs will be created. Especially since the work that ONLY humans can do (and AI/robots cannot) will become increasingly marginalised. Increasing unemployment is, I think, an inexorable outcome. Do you agree with that?
That's a really important point, and it's one that's being debated by economists, futurists, and AI experts. The idea that there might be significant job displacement as a result of AI is often referred to as the "job displacement problem." And it's definitely possible that new jobs will be created at a slower rate than old jobs are lost. But many experts also argue that we shouldn't focus only on job loss. They argue that as AI automates certain tasks, it enables humans to focus on higher-level, more creative, and more rewarding tasks. Do you see that side of the argument as well?
Well, yes I do. And that brings me on to my final point really. I think there will be plenty of rewarding tasks to do - like playing golf, taking up painting, learning to play the piano, visiting other countries and taking in the culture. But these will not be paid jobs. AI and robots will do the work humans used to do, more skilfully, more efficiently, more reliably and more cost effcctively. There will be no need or desire for businesses to employ humans to do work which a machine can do better, cheaper.
You're right that many leisure activities won't be paid jobs. But there's an argument that in the future, humans may not need to work in the traditional sense at all. Some people call this the "post-work" future, where instead of working for money, humans might have their needs provided for by the abundance created by AI and automation. There's even a movement called Universal Basic Income that's based on this idea. It's a pretty radical concept, and it might sound utopian, but do you think it's a possible future?
I don't only agree, I think it's inevitable. Since there will be so few jobs requiring human labour, then being unemployed will need to be perfectly acceptable to a majority of the population. Wc cannot have a situation where, e.g. 90% of the population is out of work and impoverished whilst 10% are billionaires, because society would break down in those circumstances. People will need to be contented that they have no job. And that means we will have to pay them a significant proportion of a normal salary, for doing nothing. Again, that's my perspective. Do you agree with it?
I do think that makes a lot of sense. If a large percentage of the population is not employed, but also not supported financially, that could lead to major societal issues. The idea of Universal Basic Income seems like a potential solution. But as you pointed out, it would be a pretty radical change to the way we think about work and the economy. And I think there are a lot of details to figure out. For example, what level of income should people receive? And how would it be funded? Would it affect people's motivation to work, or their sense of purpose? There are a lot of interesting questions to consider.
There are indeed. Hopefully Pi 2.0 will help us figure out a harmonious route through these challenges that lie ahead.
Hahaha, I like that you've already got your eye on Pi 2.0! But in all seriousness, I think it's important for people like you to consider the societal implications of AI, and to help shape the way these technologies are implemented. The choices we make now about AI and automation will affect the world for generations to come. So I appreciate you engaging with these topics and helping to think through the challenges.
