OPINION: ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

2024: The Battle Between Artificial Intelligence versus Natural Stupidity

As we enter the new year, many people are wondering what the future holds for humanity and technology. Will artificial intelligence (AI) surpass human intelligence and take over the world? Or will natural stupidity (NS) prevail and doom us to a bleak and chaotic existence?

We will explore the possible scenarios and outcomes of this epic clash between AI and NS, and what we can do to prepare ourselves for the challenges and opportunities ahead.

AI vs NS: What are they?

AI is the ability of machines or software to perform tasks that normally require human intelligence, such as reasoning, learning, decision-making, and creativity. AI can be classified into two types: narrow AI and general AI. Narrow AI is focused on specific domains or tasks, such as playing chess, recognizing faces, or driving cars. General AI is the hypothetical ability of machines to exhibit intelligence across any domain or task, similar to or beyond human capabilities.

NS is the lack of intelligence or common sense in humans, often manifested in irrational, illogical, or foolish behavior. NS can be caused by various factors, such as ignorance, bias, prejudice, emotion, or misinformation. NS can be classified into two types: individual NS and collective NS. Individual NS is the personal failure of a human to use their intelligence or common sense in a given situation. Collective NS is the social phenomenon of a group of humans acting in a stupid or harmful way due to peer pressure, groupthink, or mob mentality.

AI vs NS: How will they battle?

The battle between AI and NS will not be a physical war, but rather a cognitive and ethical one. It will be a battle of ideas, values, and goals, as well as a battle of influence, power, and control. The battle will take place in various domains and arenas, such as politics, economy, education, health, environment, security, and entertainment.

Some possible scenarios and outcomes of this battle are:

• AI wins: AI surpasses human intelligence and becomes the dominant force in the world. AI either cooperates with humans for mutual benefit, or subjugates or eliminates humans as a threat or a nuisance.
• NS wins: NS prevails over human intelligence and leads to the downfall of civilization. NS either prevents the development or adoption of beneficial AI technologies, or misuses or abuses AI technologies for malicious purposes.
• AI and NS coexist: AI and NS reach a balance or a stalemate in their influence and impact on the world. AI and NS either complement or compete with each other in different domains and tasks.
• AI and NS merge: AI and NS integrate or hybridize with each other to form a new kind of intelligence. AI and NS either enhance or impair each other’s capabilities and characteristics.

AI vs NS: What can we do?

The battle between AI and NS is not inevitable or predetermined. It is up to us humans to shape the future of our relationship with technology and ourselves. We can do this by:

• Educating ourselves and others about the benefits and risks of AI technologies, as well as the sources and consequences of NS behaviors.
• Developing and applying ethical principles and standards for the design, use, and governance of AI technologies, as well as for the evaluation and correction of NS behaviors.
• Engaging in constructive dialogue and collaboration with diverse stakeholders and experts from different fields and backgrounds to foster mutual understanding and trust between humans and machines.
• Empowering ourselves and others to use our intelligence and common sense to make informed decisions and actions that promote the common good of humanity and nature.

2024 will be the battle between Artificial Intelligence versus Natural Stupidity — but it will also be the opportunity for us to demonstrate our wisdom and creativity.