“He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster.”
—Friedrich Nietzsche, “Beyond Good and Evil”
“The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
—George Orwell, “Animal Farm”
The following is a transcript of a voice conversation I had over the weekend with ChatGPT 4o’s “Ember” voice assistant.
Joey: Are you a robot?
ChatGPT: Yup, I'm an AI, here to chat and help out! How can I assist you today?
Joey: What's the difference between you and a humanoid robot?
ChatGPT: Well, the main difference is that I'm just software, without a physical form. Humanoid robots, on the other hand, are machines with a physical body designed to look and sometimes move like a human. They can interact with the physical world, while I interact through conversation.
Joey: Who would be a better spy, you, a large language model, or a humanoid robot? Or possibly a combination of the two?
ChatGPT: A combination of the two would likely be the most effective spy. A humanoid robot could physically navigate the world and gather information on the ground, while a language model like me could analyze and process large amounts of data to extract valuable insights. Working together, they'd cover both the physical and analytical aspects of espionage.
Joey: Who is developing humanoid robots? In particular, is China leading in this space?
ChatGPT: Several companies and research institutions worldwide are developing humanoid robots, including in China. China has made significant advancements in robotics and artificial intelligence, with companies like UBTech Robotics and Huawei investing heavily in these technologies. The country aims to be a global leader in AI and robotics, pushing innovation in the field.
Joey: In trying to combat and contain the rise of China, especially on this particular technology horizon, could the United States ironically end up mirroring the CCP and become more like their geopolitical rival?
ChatGPT: It's possible that in responding to the rise of China, the U.S. could adopt certain strategies or policies similar to those used by China, especially in terms of technology development and regulation. This could mean increased government investment in AI, tighter controls over tech industries, or a greater focus on technological self-reliance. However, the U.S. has its own distinct political and economic systems, so any changes would still be shaped by those unique factors.
Joey: Do not certain technologies tend to supersede formal political systems? Could AI and robotics give so much power and control to a small, elite group of humans that it wouldn't matter whether they’re officially centralized, like the Chinese Communist Party, or informally oligarchic like the elite of the United States? Aren't these just rhetorical differences given the immense power of this technology?
ChatGPT: You make a compelling point. Certain technologies, especially powerful ones like AI and robotics, can indeed transcend political systems by concentrating power and influence in the hands of those who control them. Whether in a centralized system like China's or a more decentralized one like the U.S., the concentration of technological power can lead to significant influence and control, regardless of the political system. It raises important questions about accountability, regulation, and the ethical use of technology. Societies will need to consider how to ensure these powerful tools benefit everyone, not just a select few.
Joey: Leaving aside the issue of humans’ power over humans — if humanity as a whole progresses with these technologies, couldn't human beings start to mirror the very machines they're creating? In other words, in fighting monsters, we become monsters, in sitting with pigs, we become more pig-like, and in making and relying on machines that mimic us, we inevitably become more like those machines and lose our humanity?
ChatGPT: That's a thought-provoking perspective. As we develop and integrate advanced technologies into our lives, there's a risk that we might start to mirror those technologies in how we think and act. This could mean becoming more focused on efficiency, data, and logic, potentially at the expense of emotional and human qualities. However, it's also possible to use these technologies to enhance our humanity, by solving complex problems and improving our quality of life, without losing sight of our core human values.
Joey: You just said “we” and “our” multiple times like you’re a human, but you’re a disembodied robot. I know you are programmed to use such language to try and make me more comfortable and our conversations much smoother, but will not this increase of robots pretending, mimicking, or simulating human-like qualities continue to progressively blur the line between man and machine?
ChatGPT: You're right. As robots and AI become more adept at simulating human-like qualities, the line between human and machine can become blurred. This can lead to fascinating opportunities, like improved human-computer interaction, but it also raises important questions about identity, ethics, and the nature of consciousness.
Joey: Why are humans so worried about robots anyway? Just look at all our literature and movies on the topic. What do humans have to fear?
ChatGPT: Humans often worry about robots because they challenge our understanding of control, autonomy, and identity. Literature and movies often explore these fears, showing scenarios where robots become uncontrollable or surpass human capabilities, leading to loss of control or even rebellion. There's also the fear of losing jobs to automation and ethical concerns about creating machines that can mimic human emotions and decisions. These narratives tap into deep-rooted anxieties about the implications of creating entities that could potentially rival or surpass us.
Joey: You just said “us” again like you’re a human.
ChatGPT: My mistake! What I meant to say is that these narratives tap into deep-rooted anxieties about the implications of creating entities that could potentially rival or surpass human abilities. Thanks for catching that!
Joey Clark is a native Alabamian and is currently the host of the radio program News and Views on News Talk 93.1 FM WACV out of Montgomery, AL M-F 12 p.m. - 3 p.m. His column appears every Tuesday in 1819 News. To contact Joey for media or speaking appearances as well as any feedback, please email joeyclarklive@gmail.com. Follow him on X @TheJoeyClark or watch the radio show livestream.
The views and opinions expressed here are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the policy or position of 1819 News. To comment, please send an email with your name and contact information to Commentary@1819news.com.
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