Gerd Leonhard, interview with a futurist

Summary

The web content discusses an interview with futurist Gerd Leonhard, focusing on the future of humanity in the context of exponential technological change, particularly in AI and genetics, and the need for a Global Ethics Committee to govern these advancements.

Abstract

The article recounts the author's experience at South Summit 2018, where futurist Gerd Leonhard delivered a talk and signed copies of his book, "Future of Humanity." The interview with El País Retina highlighted Leonhard's perspective on the critical decade ahead for defining human existence in the face of technological advancements. He emphasizes the urgency of ethical considerations in technology development, particularly in AI and genetics, cautioning against the potential misuse of these technologies. Leonhard proposes the establishment of a Digital Ethics Committee to oversee global standards and prevent the weaponization of technology, while also suggesting a tax on automation to fund job transition programs.

Opinions

Gerd Leonhard believes humanity has a ten-year window to determine its future identity in the face of rapid technological evolution.
He acknowledges the possibility of countries, like China, developing advanced beings such as supersoldiers through genome editing and warns against complacency in responding to such developments.
Leonhard values human experiences, such as cultural interactions, over traditional education like an MBA.
He advocates for a moratorium on the use of technology, including AI and genetic engineering, as weapons, drawing a parallel to nuclear weapon controls.
Leonhard suggests that a Global Ethics Committee could establish and enforce ethical guidelines for technological development, ensuring that advancements like AI and genome editing are used for the greater good.
He proposes that automation should be taxed to support the retraining of people whose jobs are displaced by technology.
The author of the article expresses a desire to be involved in the proposed Digital Ethics Committee and supports the idea of setting global rules for the ethical use of technology.

Gerd Leonhard, interview with a futurist

Last week I had the pleasure of listening to Gerd Leonhard at South Summit 2018 and buying a signed copy of his book, “Future of Humanity”. The talk was very good, in line with what we had already published, but I especially liked the interview of El País Retina with devastating quotes:

We have about ten years to decide how we want to be (humans) in the future.

I wouldn’t denied the possibility of any country to create a supersoldier using 100 million genomes.

We can’t sit back and watch China develop a genome editing program and then try to negotiate with them.

We must focus on being very human. I would prefer my son to go to India for three months and interact with a lot of different people than getting an MBA.

I also want to highlight this question and Leonhard’s answer about the creation of a Global Ethics Committee:

How should we manage these 50 years which, at the very least, remain until general AI arrives?

We need a moratorium on the development of technology as a weapon, as already exists, for example, with nuclear weapons. Artificial intelligence, genome editing and genetic engineering have a lot to contribute to the world, but we must make sure that they are not used for evil. These technologies are now out of control, companies can research whatever they want. The genome can help us eradicate cancer and the world is sure to be better with AI, but it is up to us not to cross the red line.

I propose the creation of a Digital Ethics Committee, a global organisation dedicated to thinking professionally about what we should and shouldn’t do and trying to get us to agree on simple rules of operation. For example, that if we automate we pay a tax, so that we can make people learn another job. Nor should we use machines as weapons or let them control themselves, for example to kill. I think we could all agree on that.

I would like to be a part of it and empower it! What do you think?

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