Daniel C. Dennett discusses the concept of the Singularity, where AI surpasses human intelligence. He argues that the Singularity, while an intriguing idea, distracts from a more immediate concern: the growing dependence on artificial agents that can’t truly think but are becoming integral to various aspects of our lives.
Dennett highlights the increasing reliance on machines for tasks ranging from simple calculations to complex medical diagnoses. He argues that, as these machines prove to be more reliable and efficient than humans, we’ll face a moral obligation to use their results, even if they lack true consciousness or thought. This reliance can lead to a gradual loss of cognitive skills and the risk of overestimating the capabilities of these machines.
He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the limitations of such machines, preventing them from being over-endowed with understanding, and maintaining our cognitive abilities to avoid helplessness if they fail. Dennett concludes that the real danger lies in machines being granted authority beyond their competence rather than in machines becoming more intelligent than humans.