A Critique of Dr Mercola on the Lack of an AI Threat By Brian Simpson
I have covered numerous articles where authorities ranging from academics, computer scientists to organizations such as the IMF, have warned that advances in AI will lead to massive job losses. Dr Mercola in a surprisingly disappointing piece disagrees and puts his case that AI will help us, just like a calculator will. He is clearly enthusiastic about these developments, as detailed below.
But he is wrong. The advances in AI leading to general AI are qualitatively different from say the calculator example, as what we are seeing are machines that will perform the higher intellectual tasks of humans better than humans do as Elon Musk has said. It is impossible that this will not displace workers, and it is already happening. A book putting the case against the Dr Mercola position is James Barrat, Our Final Invention: Artificial Intelligence and the End of the Human Era (2023).
"In an era where technological advancements are revolutionizing every aspect of our lives, ChatGPT emerges as a beacon of innovation, especially in the realms of learning and efficiency.
I was really surprised that 61% of you disagreed with me on the value of ChatGPT, even though I believe the article I wrote was well balanced and had an accurate description of the concerns and strategies to mitigate these concerns. But most of you did not see it that way.
Many may not remember that technology has been a lifelong passion of mine and I am an early adopter. I took my first computer programming class in 1968 and was first on the internet in 1978, long before the web began. I started my website in 1997, before Google even existed. I recognized that the internet was the greatest innovation in history at that time, which is why I started my website so early.
I grabbed a ChatGPT account on the first day it was available in November 2023, because I recognized that it eclipsed the internet in terms of its revolutionary impact. Many of you may need a few years to catch up, but eventually you will recognize this.
However, its introduction is not without controversy, much like any groundbreaking technology that has preceded it. This controversy stems from a fundamental misunderstanding of the role of such tools in augmenting human potential, rather than replacing it. This realization really hit home when I wrote my article on this topic last month.
At the heart of this misunderstanding is a fear reminiscent of the anxieties stirred a century ago with the advent of automobiles, replacing horse-drawn carriages. The automobile revolution brought about significant cultural and economic shifts, some of which were feared and resisted.
Overcoming Fear in Enhancing Human Capabilities
The fear of new technologies, be it calculators or ChatGPT, often stems from a lack of understanding and apprehension in the face of change.
When calculators were first introduced, there was concern about their impact on traditional calculation methods and the potential dependency on this new tool. Similarly, the initial apprehension toward ChatGPT and similar AI technologies revolves around the fear of over-reliance and the potential loss of certain skills or jobs.
With calculators, people eventually realized that these devices were not here to replace human intelligence but to enhance and assist in solving complex problems more efficiently. Calculators became indispensable tools, widely accepted, and integrated into education and professional settings. The fear subsided as the benefits became clear and the tool was understood as a complement to human capabilities, not a replacement.
To illustrate this further, consider the modern spreadsheet, a significant technological leap following the calculator. This tool efficiently processes the data you input, transforming it into a format that's much clearer and simpler to understand.
Essentially, the spreadsheet software acts as an extension of your brain power, simplifying data interpretation and enhancing your understanding of what the data signifies. It's widely acknowledged that spreadsheets are a helpful tool, and there's generally no fear associated with using them.
In the case of ChatGPT, we are witnessing a similar phase where initial fears are predominantly based on misconceptions about AI taking over human tasks entirely. However, just like calculators, ChatGPT is designed to be a tool that augments human capabilities. It assists in various tasks, like generating ideas, composing texts, coding and more, thus enhancing our productivity, creativity and joy.
The comparison highlights a recurring pattern in the adoption of new technologies. Initial fears and resistance give way to acceptance and integration as the real value and role of technology as an aid rather than a replacement becomes evident.
Over time, just as the fear of calculators subsided and they became an integral part of our toolkit, the apprehensions surrounding ChatGPT and similar AI technologies are likely to diminish as their role as valuable tools in extending human capability is more widely recognized and understood.
Enhancing Human Potential, Not Replacing It
Another fear surrounding ChatGPT revolves around the concern of human redundancy — the fear that machines capable of mimicking human thought processes might render human cognition and action unnecessary. This fear, while understandable, overlooks the essence of what tools like ChatGPT are designed to achieve.
They are not replacements for human intellect or creativity, but facilitators that amplify these intrinsic human qualities. ChatGPT is akin to a pipeline, channeling vast amounts of information and insights, not to concentrate power or resources, but to disseminate knowledge more broadly.
This efficiency is not about replacing human action but enhancing it, allowing individuals to focus on aspects of their work that require uniquely human attributes like empathy, strategic thinking and creativity.
This dissemination of knowledge is particularly crucial in the field of education and learning. ChatGPT, with its ability to understand and generate human level insights, can be an invaluable tool for students and educators alike. I know that I have benefited greatly from its use as a tool to help me understand important concepts. It is exponentially superior to any search engine I have ever used.
It can provide instant access to information, aid in the composition of essays and reports, assist in language learning, and offer explanations of complex concepts, especially in health, biology and medicine. This capability enhances your learning experience, making it more interactive, personalized and accessible."
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