‘Artificial intelligence has gone from being a mere speculative fiction to a fundamental element of technological progress’

In a recent paper, Javier del Ser and Jesús López Lobo, researchers at TECNALIA, have written an article entitled ‘Can transformative AI shape a new age for our civilization?: navigating between speculation and reality’, on the transformative potential of AI for civilisation, delving into its philosophical, ethical, technological and human implications.

The paper explores the historical precedents of other disruptive technological advances, examining whether AI can achieve a comparable impact and be part of that selective list. In the process, they delve into the various ethical and philosophical frameworks that shape our perceptions of AI and affect its development. In addition, they consider the social, technical and policy challenges that must be addressed if AI is to become that catalyst for change in our civilisation.

Strategies and barriers to transformative AI
They review not only the strategies and methodologies that could lead to truly transformative AI, but also the barriers that may ultimately make these goals unattainable. They conclude with a critical enquiry into whether achieving transformative AI might force humanity to adopt an entirely new ethical and philosophical approach tailored to the complexities of this new AI.

By addressing these dimensions in its development, this work contributes to the broader discourse on the long-term implications of AI and its ability to lead civilisation into a new era of progress, or conversely exacerbate existing inequalities and risks.

According to the authors of the study, ‘Artificial Intelligence (AI) is seen as a transformative force with the potential to redefine many sectors of human civilisation. While it has evolved from mere speculative fiction to become a fundamental element of technological progress, its role as a truly transformative agent remains the subject of intense debate. And this is not surprising, as there are high hopes for it’.

The study ‘Can transformative AI shape a new age for our civilization?: navigating between speculation and reality’, is available for download.