If you'd like to join Basecamp to edit this agenda and collaborate in other ways, please drop me a note at dan@smartacus.com and I'll send you an invitation. Or just email your input to me and I'll add it. Thanks.
Dan Forbush Member, UU Saratoga Worship Team and AI and Faith Editorial Team
INTRODUCTIONS. Let's go around the room, saying a few things about ourselves and our interests in AI. What are our greatest hopes for AI? What are our greatest fears about AI? What questions about AI would would most like to pose to a panel of experts?
This material will be helpful for a non-fiction story to be published on Smartacus and shared on AI and Faith.
We also will run this material through ChatGPT and Gemini to generate the dialog that will follow Michael Carmody's testimony on October 6, 2043 to the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation. This completed scene will be published on Sunday, June 30, at 8 a.m. prior to AI-themed worship services hosted thet morning at UU Saratoga and UU Boca Raton.
THOUGHT LEADERS. Experts we'll want to spotlight because they have most to say about where brain/computer interfaces are leading us. The most celebrated of these will be challenging to engage in interviews, but we can try. Also, we can feature their main ideas and ask others to comment on them. I've taken the liberty of asking ChatGPT to generate brief summaries for each:
Ray Kurzweil is a visionary inventor and futurist whose pioneering work on artificial intelligence and brain/computer interfaces has significantly influenced the field, highlighting his predictions about the convergence of human cognition and machine intelligence. His extensive research, coupled with his influential books like "The Singularity is Nearer," provides a compelling roadmap for the future of technology and human enhancement, making him a key thought leader in this transformative domain.
Susan Schneider, author of Artificial You: AI and the Future of Your Mind, delves into the philosophical and ethical dimensions of integrating artificial intelligence with human cognition. Her exploration of identity, consciousness, and the potential transformation of the human mind by brain/computer interfaces positions her as a leading thinker in understanding the profound implications of these technologies on our future selves.
Nita Farahany, author ofThe Battle for Your Brain, is a renowned bioethicist and legal scholar whose expertise on the ethical, legal, and social implications of brain/computer interfaces provides crucial insights into the responsible development and deployment of these technologies. Her interdisciplinary approach and thought leadership emphasize the importance of balancing innovation with ethical considerations, making her an essential voice in shaping the future of neurotechnology.
Yuval Noah Harari, author of Sapiens and other best-sellers, is a prominent historian and philosopher whose work explores the profound implications of technological advancements, including brain/computer interfaces, on human society and identity. His thought-provoking analysis of how these technologies could reshape our understanding of consciousness and humanity positions him as a critical thinker in envisioning the future interplay between technology and the human condition.
Bob Johansen is a distinguished futurist and author known for his forward-thinking insights on the intersection of technology and human capabilities, particularly in the realm of brain/computer interfaces. His expertise in forecasting future trends and preparing organizations for disruptive technological changes makes him an influential voice in understanding and navigating the transformative potential of neurotechnology.
Thomas Malone, an esteemed MIT researcher and author of Superminds, provides groundbreaking insights into how collective intelligence and brain/computer interfaces can amplify human capabilities and transform organizational dynamics. His pioneering research on enhancing group decision-making and problem-solving through technology underscores his thought leadership in envisioning a future where humans and machines collaborate seamlessly to achieve unprecedented outcomes.
Lisa Feldman Barrett, author of "How Emotions Are Made," offers a revolutionary perspective on the construction of emotions, which is critical for developing intuitive and emotionally aware brain/computer interfaces. Her research on the brain's predictive nature and emotional processing provides valuable insights into creating more effective and empathetic neurotechnologies, making her a vital thought leader in this field.
We'll discuss others and the approach we'll take in hosting interviews.