The Coming Wave
The coming wave of new, hyper tech is a significant component of my new novel (set in the final hours of 2049). It's imagined within the narrative that we handle it much better than we did the internet and social media. And, even more so, that we harness it for tremendous good and progress. There's mountains of work to do on a global level to get there. In the meantime, thanks to the St. Louis Post Dispatch for publishing my guest column on the topic: Artificial Intelligence could spawn astounding human advances or catastrophe:
The moment I first encountered AI’s transformative power was as defining for me as the
JFK assassination and 9/11 were for previous generations. It marked a pivotal shift in our
history, not through tragedy, but through the awe of technological advancement. Witnessing a
Large Language Model respond with articulate solutions to a simple prompt, I understood: AI
was no longer a foreign concept of the future; it was already here.
In the short time since, AI tools like ChatGPT from OpenAI and Google’s Bard have
refined our access to knowledge and expertise. These platforms have evolved way past being
simply digital tools; they serve as advisors, consultants, and companions, accessible to anyone
with an internet connection. They exemplify the groundbreaking impact of AI, harnessing the
collective knowledge of humanity’s outputs to deliver insights with extraordinary precision.
This AI revolution is but a component of a broader wave of technological breakthroughs,
encompassing significant advancements in synthetic biology and quantum computing. This wave
is poised to surpass the transformative impacts of the wheel, the printing press, and electricity,
reshaping our society in unprecedented ways.
In the realm of medicine, the advancements are particularly striking. Synthetic biology
and gene-editing technologies are ushering in a new era of medical capability, where combatting
diseases becomes more precise and effective. We’re approaching a future where diagnosing and
treating illnesses, even curing previously incurable diseases, could extend human lifespans and
improve quality of life in immeasurable ways.
Yet, there’s an inherent risk in these advancements. The same technologies that promise
medical miracles also enable the creation of lab-engineered pathogens. In the hands of misguided
ideologues or malicious actors, this could lead to public health crises of unimaginable scale.
Quantum computing adds another layer to this complex tapestry. Its potential to solve
some of the universe’s most profound mysteries is unparalleled. However, this same power could
be exploited for nefarious purposes. In the wrong hands, quantum computing could enable bad
actors to disrupt critical infrastructures like power grids and mass transportation systems. The
recent film, “Leave the World Behind” offers a cinematic portrayal of such a scenario, depicting
the chaos and vulnerability that could arise from technological misuse.
As we navigate this new era, the lessons from our experiences with the internet and social
media remain pertinent. While these platforms connected the globe and democratized
information, they also brought immense challenges in the form of misinformation and social
divisiveness. This duality underscores the need for balanced and responsible management and
regulation of emerging technologies.
This coming wave of this new, god-like technology holds the promise of elevating
humanity to new heights of creation and problem-solving. But, if not managed wisely, it could
lead to our undoing. Our response to this challenge will undoubtedly define our future, balancing
the incredible potential for good against the risks of devastating or unintended misuse. No matter
the complexity of how it works, AI is a reflection of us, for all time. The good does not wash
away the bad. Nor the bad the good.