The Human-Cyborg Continuum: why AI is pointless and why we should all become cyborgs instead

As part of my final year degree at UCL I wrote a dissertation titled ‘How Human-Enhancement Technologies Drives Cyborgisation and the Coming Technological Singularity’.

The dissertation itself isn’t great (I still had 30,000 extra words 24 hours before the deadline), however, something that I am willing to share is my (perhaps original?) concept of the Human-Cyborg Continuum:

The point of this continuum was not to provide concrete dates for when these technologies will be created, more to provide a certain paradigm to construct thoughts within when thinking about future technological inventions. Specifically how new technologies will become more and more integrated into the human body.

Although I split the continuum up into five different categories, the dotted lines should symbolise that these boundaries are incredibly blurry. It should also not be assumed that a human will only be a true cyborg once they have gone through every stage on the continuum. Arguably we are all already cyborgs, defined as a person whose physical abilities are extended beyond normal limitations, I think we can all agree that current technologies puts us into this category.

Furthermore, what is fascinating to debate, is the stage at which humanity will travel along this continuum that actually then makes it impossible to turn back. Perhaps it’s crazy to even imagine thinking about turning back, as one who advocates for as as much technological advancement as possible I certainly agree. On the other hand, I would argue that humanity reaching the end of this continuum would be the most significant event in our history: changing our species eternally. It’s probably worth at least considering changing humanity, irreversibly, before we actually do it (although I’ll admit that turning back now, or any point in the future, is probably impossible, although that’s a debate for another time).

The only event that could topple humanity reaching the end of this continuum would be the creation of a true AI. Now if AI comes to fruition before humanity reaches the end of this continuum, if this AI is malevolent, we’re stuffed. Skynet reigns supreme, we all die, simple. But then if humans have already reached the end of this continuum, if humans can interact with computers, at computer speed, then an AI is nothing more than a loyal servant. If humans can beat an AI at it’s own game, then an AI is simply pointless. (Please do tell me if you disagree with me on this point!)

The aim of AI, how I see it, is to offload cognitive processes from a human and accomplish tasks that a human cannot. The reason being that computers are great at remembering facts and completing mathematical computations (amongst other things), whereas in comparison humans are dreadful. Imagine a scenario though where humans, augmented with technologies, were just as good as computers at what they do.

Why create a God, when we can become Gods ourselves?

Some of the brightest minds in the world are dedicated to creating AI. We’re becoming great at creating machines that are amazing at completing tasks, while although I can’t work out a way to prove this for sure, human productivity has not increased by nearly the same rate. We’ve programmed computers to understand every language in the world, isn’t it time to take that technology so we can make humans understand every language in the world? Of course I recognise that there needs to be significant developments in neuroscience for this to be possible, however hopefully you understand my point regardless.

I have been thinking these thoughts for nearly two years now but failed to really construct them in a communicable way. I must admit that a recent segment of Elon’s Code Conference interview did massively help in writing this post. I’d encourage everyone to watch it: