AI and society: what’s next?

In this discussion we will consider the likely effects of artificial intelligence on society, now and in the future.

POINTS OF DISCUSSION

Similarities and differences between human consciousness and artificial intelligence

• The component parts of human consciousness and their nature
• Can any or all of the components of human consciousness be duplicated and improved upon by a machine?

The economy

• Effects on production
• Effects on prices
• Effects on standard of living

Employment

• Changes in the nature of work
• Winners vs. losers: businesses
• Winners vs. losers: workers
• Effects on unemployment in the short term vs. the long term
• Solutions to potential increases in unemployment

Effects on knowledge

• In general
• The physical sciences
• The humanities

Effects on creativity

• Al Homogenization
• Creative "prompting"
• Diminishment of creative skills
• Diminishment of creative fields

Potential for tyranny

• Reduced privacy
• Increased surveillance
• Spread of propaganda

What's next?

• One year projection
• Three year projection
• Ten year projection

SOME RECOMMENDED VIEWING/READING

• Grok 4 Demo
• White collar workers displaced by AI could spark a revolution
• Delta moves toward eliminating set prices in favor of AI that determines how much you personally will pay for a ticket
• AI Homogenization Is Shaping The World
• Most believe AI helps small businesses compete with larger firms
• OpenAI’s new ChatGPT Agent can control an entire computer and do tasks for you

AN IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING NO-SHOWS
Unfortunately, there is a longstanding problem in our group with large numbers of people who sign up frivolously and neither cancel nor show up, leading to large waiting lists of others who lose their opportunity to attend. Please note that going forward, those who sign up and neither cancel nor show up will be permanently removed from the group. Also, if you need to cancel, please have the courtesy to give at least 24 hours' advance notice rather than canceling immediately before the event, so those on the waiting list have an opportunity to attend.