17th November | Casa da M\u00fasica, Porto<\/b> <\/p>\n
Historical Context and the AI Shift <\/b> <\/p>\n
Historically, every major technological shift has destroyed certain jobs while creating others: the Industrial Revolution<\/b>,\u202fmechanized agriculture and textile production eliminated many manual labour jobs but created factory and engineering roles; the Computer Age <\/b>automated many administrative and industrial tasks but gave rise to Information technologies (IT), software, and digital services industries. <\/p>\n
But, until now, technology replaced\u202ftasks<\/i> specified by humans and always required human input, whether in oversight, creativity, physical execution, or emotional intelligence. <\/p>\n
Artificial Intelligence, particularly advanced generative AI and machine learning models, marks a qualitative leap. Unlike past tools, AI does not simply\u202famplify<\/i>\u202fhuman ability, it can\u202freplicate<\/i>\u202for even\u202fsurpass<\/i>\u202fcertain cognitive tasks, competently writing, designing, coding, doing legal analysis and diagnostics.<\/b> <\/p>\n
AI doesn’t just\u202fsupport<\/i>\u202fdecisions; AI can\u202fmake<\/i>\u202fthem, leading to a shift from the traditional “master slave” relation of humans with their tools to a “competitor” relationship with humans or preferably to a \u201csymbiotic relationship\u201d. Humans may no longer be the\u202fsole decision-makers<\/i>\u202for\u202finnovators<\/i>. Hence, the line between tool creator and the tool is blurring. <\/p>\n
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Societal Impacts and the Definition of the Human Space <\/b> <\/p>\n
The relationship between society and AI will likely redefine many traditional jobs, that will be either fully automated or significantly augmented with virtual realities, which may even menace human creative and intellectual work, long considered “safe grounds” for humans. Besides ethic concerns, this invades the human space and redefines authentic human experience,\u202femotional labour, and\u202fmoral judgement<\/b>. <\/p>\n
Furthermore, to effectively transfer values across generations, the role of the educational system should change from learning skills to creativity, adaptability, and ethical reasoning<\/b>. So, the impact in education is enormous. <\/p>\n
It is already visible that those who own or control AI systems accumulate<\/b> disproportionate economic and political power<\/b> and inequality will deepen.<\/b> <\/p>\n
And if AI can do most \u201cuseful\u201d work, what is humanity\u2019s role? This should lead to a renaissance of philosophy, spirituality, the arts<\/b>, but may also lead to a crisis of meaning and purpose<\/b>. <\/p>\n
Therefore, human society is at cross-roads: AI may empower a post-scarcity society<\/b>\u202fwhere humans pursue fulfilment, creativity, and connection, free from drudgery or,\u202fconsolidate power<\/b>\u202fin the hands of a few, leading to widespread disenfranchisement and erosion of agency. This dilemma must be situated within the broader risks and tensions that make an open, informed, and pluralistic debate not only necessary but urgent. <\/p>\n
In a future shaped by advanced AI, humanity\u2019s enduring strengths may lie in <\/p>\n
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