James E. Lovelock (1919–2022)

James Lovelock is a legend, genius, inventor, and futurologist, who at age ninety-nine is as much at home in the future as the past. Here, in probably his book, he prophetically throws in his lot with artificial intelligence. AI's combination of blinding speed and capacity for self-learning will largely obsolete bio-based nerve networks. This is already happening. Lovelock believes, along with singularity thinkers like Ray Kurtzweil and Elon Musk, that it's unstoppable.

Lovelock leaves some questions unanswered. Will cyborgs have the same rights as humans? Will they sit in the Senate? How do we learn to live with leaders we're too dim to understand, much less monitor? How do we know what goals AI progressively programs into itself? How does Darwinian natural selection morph into "intentional" selection as advanced systems displace nature (and human nature) to effect their calculated goals and visions? How are shadowy human aspects such as prejudice, greed, and rivalry to be sieved from the mix as AI systems code themselves forward in lightning flashes while nudging us forward to people their new world?

Lovelock perhaps naively believes that as AI advances to globally broadened perspectives, it will just conclude that the overriding challenge of preserving our small, fragile planet must inevitably lead it to enlightened ideals and methods. The highest intelligence must just lead, he thinks, to the most sensible outcomes. That's what his earlier Daisyworld simulation seemed to promise, with black and white daisy patches peaceably taking turns modulating Earth's albedo to maintain homeostasis. I wish I could share his kind of optimism.

Whether or not he answers all fears and concerns, Lovelock is, as always, well worth reading. He will expand your mind.… (altro)

I confess this is an interesting and intriguing book. I don't think James Lovelock was the first to think about hyper-intelligence. if you read some of the books by Arthur C. Clarke and Isaac Asimov, you will realize that people have hypothesized about this for years.

there is a difference, though, between those days, and ours. For one, artificial intelligence has become a reality and is growing. It seems that computers are designing themselves.

He combines this future with the Gaia concept. In my view, there is more hope than the conviction that machines and humans will cooperate to save Gaia.

This is an enjoyable book to read and keep one thing in mind. If a 99-year-old man can stay mentally fresh, why not us?… (altro)