Is AI going to be the demise of human intelligence?

Initially, I hoped that the currently evolving machine learning trend would blow over like New Coke or 3d tv's. Just another case of the spinners in future marketing foisting something nobody really asked for into society. But this time they've invested far too much for decades now, and imbued it into so many facets of technology that it has become both inescapable and uncontrollable. That's where it sits. And humans seem very confused by it. I feel sorry for those that embrace it. Maybe it never will become as powerful as sci-fi has taught us to fear, but if or when we are outcompeted by our own creation, it won't feel good, man.

People who create art or write for a living aren't doing so well right now. Not only are they not getting hired because AI is free and fast, but they're watching it spit out variations of their own art or prose that they previously toiled hard to make. Knife designs are in that bag. Your job will soon be in that bag. The skills you thought you might have to fall back on as a plan B are in that bag. You are obsolete. Now what?
 
Deep personal voice, lived experience, complex conceptual thinking, live performance, bespoke commissions, and social capital will never be replaced by AI. Poison pilling is a strong protection against AI being trained on (and duplicating) one's work. It amplifies the premium on originality, context, and human connection rather than eliminating them. AI makes certain basic tasks cheaper and more common, which increases the relative value of things AI can't easily replicate: original ideas, deep context, and human relationships.
 
David Mary said:
Deep personal voice, lived experience, complex conceptual thinking, live performance, bespoke commissions, and social capital will never be replaced by AI. Poison pilling is a strong protection against AI being trained on (and duplicating) one's work. It amplifies the premium on originality, context, and human connection rather than eliminating them. AI makes certain basic tasks cheaper and more common, which increases the relative value of things AI can't easily replicate: original ideas, deep context, and human relationships.
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I admire your optimism, but there is already an established and growing population of humans that cannot tell the difference.
 
It's not an indictment against AI as much as against society. Human gullibility is not new, and there have been those who've preyed on it since time immemorial.
 
not2sharp said:
AI is said to be approaching an intelligence IQ level of around 120. We should consider that when it’s gets to over 200, no one will have the credibility to challenge its answers. It would be an even more intrusive version of the current Main Street media conglomerate - one message and no dessension; and ennobled with god-like credibility. So if it commands us to build and launch a boat upside down, we would all say “That is the way”, and then stand by as the thing sinks straight to the bottom of the ocean. Think of it as a Covid 19 or Global Warming scam on steroids. Maybe the thing will learn from the sunken boat, but regardless our part will remain the same; we will continue to say “that is the way.”

N2s
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Truly disturbing
 
Triton said:
Truly disturbing
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Think about what happened to Galileo when he chose to publicly challenge The Church's dictum. he was imprisoned and nearly killed by the inquisition. And he was both highly respected and well connected. Many thousands of other were tortured and put to death for just daring to learn to read, which was something reserved for the clergy - not even the nobles and kings were allowed to read. Will anyone be allowed to challenge an all knowing machine?

n2s
 
People are both selfish and lazy, when given the option to be. AI will replace us, certainly. It’s too tempting and too easy. The question is, will we treat each other better for it, or will we torch the place over it?

I expect violence. Human life, historically, is worth little beyond its utility to society. That hasn’t changed a bit. You’d have to do away with money or rework how life is valued without most work.

Conflict is inevitable. Humans are greedy. We may get dumber, but we’ll compensate with brutality, because we’ll have to.
 
N2s, your post contains several historical inaccuracies. Galileo wasn’t tortured or nearly killed, he was placed under house arrest, and there’s no evidence that people were killed simply for learning to read, or that nobles were forbidden from literacy.
 
I called the insurance company the other day.
Of course you deal with AI initially before you finally get to talk to a person

And then you cannot understand the person.

Still trying to figure out which is worse.
🥴

Ultimately, it's all about money.

2 days later, I get an AI generated phone call that was a survey inquiry about how my phone call went.
😉

Yeah ....
 
GPyro said:
I called the insurance company the other day.
Of course you deal with AI initially before you finally get to talk to a person

And then you cannot understand the person.

Still trying to figure out which is worse.
🥴

Ultimately, it's all about money.

2 days later, I get an AI generated phone call that was a survey inquiry about how my phone call went.
😉

Yeah ....
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+Not just insurance companies! :rolleyes:
 
David Mary said:
N2s, your post contains several historical inaccuracies. Galileo wasn’t tortured or nearly killed, he was placed under house arrest, and there’s no evidence that people were killed simply for learning to read, or that nobles were forbidden from literacy.
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You can read about Galileo here:

Here is the connection between literacy and heresy:

N2s
 
Can you trust your AI? Here’s another AI (ChatGPT-5) take on the same query.
No — literacy did not directly "trigger" the Inquisition. The Inquisition (various ecclesiastical tribunals from the 12th–19th centuries) arose primarily to combat perceived heresy, enforce doctrinal conformity, and strengthen ecclesiastical and political authority. Factors that contributed include:

- **Heresy and doctrinal concerns:** Movements like the Cathars and Waldensians challenged Church teachings and social order, prompting formal inquisitorial responses.
- **Church institutional development:** Centralization of Church authority and canon law created structures (ecclesiastical courts, papal commissions) that enabled inquisitorial procedures.
- **Political alliances:** Secular rulers often cooperated with Church authorities to suppress dissent and maintain social stability.
- **Social and economic tensions:** Local conflicts, reform movements, and shifting social structures made communities more prone to being labeled heretical.

Literacy played an indirect role in the broader intellectual and social changes of the medieval and early modern periods — for example, the spread of vernacular texts and later the printing press helped disseminate ideas (including reformist or heterodox ones) and made censorship and doctrinal control more pressing for authorities. But literacy itself was not the proximate cause; it was one factor among many that altered how ideas spread and were policed.

Related search suggestions:
- "Origins of the medieval Inquisition"
- "Role of printing press in religious conflict"
- "Heresy and social order in medieval Europe"
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Every time a new technology comes along (steam power, electricity, internal combustion engine, etc etc ) frightened old men are sure it will be the end of the world as we know it. The AI five years from now will not resemble what we see today, will it be perfect? Of course not, but it has the capability of altering our world in ways we cannot even imagine---yes in good ways! Quit whining like Chicken Little and educate yourself, you might be surprised at what you discover.
 
AI can do some amazing things, but it doesn't confer judgment and it can't determine whether the information it's based on is accurate. GIGO.
 
Maybe I am snarky but I have been doubting human intelligence lately anyway, or more the lack of common sense.😀 We have taught the kids to pass standardized tests, but I wonder if kids are taught to be creative and think on their own? 🤓

I saw where the robots ran a marathon, one robot nearly destroyed itself, someone mentioned if the robots go crazy to make sure there is an off switch we can push to turn them off…and protect us!!! Now that was a smart idea.😀
 
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cbach8tw said:
Maybe I am snarky but I have been doubting human intelligence lately anyway, or more the lack of common sense.😀 We have taught the kids to pass standardized tests, but I wonder if kids are taught to be creative and think on their own? 🤓

I saw where the robots ran a marathon, one robot nearly destroyed itself, someone mentioned if the robots go crazy to make sure there is an off switch we can push to turn them off…and protect us!!! Now that was a smart idea.😀
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We love creative and thoughtful kids, as long as they create and think what we want them to. ;)
 
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