In this blog post, we’ll take a multifaceted look at how the evolution of artificial intelligence and tools is impacting human civilization, and whether it will prove to be a blessing or a curse.
From the primates of prehistoric times to modern humanity, human civilization has continuously developed and evolved. From the four great ancient civilizations—Mesopotamia, the Indus Valley, Egypt, and the Yellow River—to the modern information age, the evolution of the tools humans use has played a pivotal role in the development of civilization. Through the use of fire and the invention of stone tools, humans gradually transitioned from a hunter-gatherer culture to an agricultural society, which in turn led to the emergence of the four great ancient civilizations. Subsequently, as technologies such as the Bronze Age and Iron Age were developed, tools continued to evolve, and human civilization advanced to a high degree, culminating in modern civilization. Today, we live using countless tools, ranging from electronic devices like computers and smartphones to spoons, chopsticks, cars, and shoes. Human civilization has developed alongside tools from the very beginning, to the point where a life without tools is now unimaginable.
It is a clear fact that humanity has reached the present day precisely because of the appropriate use and development of tools. The development of civilization and the development of tools are inextricably linked. However, the time has come to discuss just how far the development of tools can go. What would happen if tools were no longer merely objects that assist human activities? What would happen if tools acquired human capabilities—or even surpassed them? The 2016 match between the artificial intelligence AlphaGo and 9-dan Go master Lee Sedol was an event that revealed the shocking reality that tools can surpass humans. AlphaGo, merely a Go program developed by Google, defeated Lee Sedol—widely regarded as the world’s top Go player—by an overwhelming score of 4 to 1, with the entire world watching. Although artificial intelligence is ultimately just a tool invented by humans, this event—in which a player representing humanity was soundly defeated by a tool in Go, the most complex game ever developed by humans—made the world realize that tools are no longer merely entities that follow human commands, but can surpass human capabilities.
Of course, this does not mean we need to fear AlphaGo right away. Although it has surpassed humans in Go, AlphaGo is, after all, merely a Go program and does not possess the myriad other abilities that humans have. What we must be wary of is not AlphaGo itself, but the future it foreshadows. If the tools that have long followed human commands and aided human progress gradually evolve to possess intelligence superior to that of humanity, the relationship between humans and tools that has been maintained until now will change dramatically. The emergence of AlphaGo has presented the possibility that such a future is not merely a fiction from science fiction novels, but could become a reality. Therefore, at a time when interest in artificial intelligence is as high as it is now, we need to discuss how far we should allow the development of artificial intelligence to go.
Artificial intelligence represents the pinnacle of tool development that we can currently conceive. There are two types of AI: “strong AI,” which possesses self-awareness, recognizes itself, and can perform any task a human can do; and “weak AI,” which processes tasks as programmed but lacks awareness of what it is doing. While developing strong AI is currently impossible with existing technology, I believe it should be restricted even if the technology advances to the point where it becomes feasible. Applying a self-aware mind capable of human-like thought to a machine would give birth to an “artificial lifeform,” which could cause serious chaos. If machines that think and act like humans are recognized as living beings, they will no longer be mere tools of humans but will be elevated to the status of equal lifeforms. A world coexisting with machines capable of infinite reproduction and physical abilities that surpass those of humans could never be peaceful.
Of course, measures to prevent such risks can be proposed. The Three Laws of Robotics proposed by American author Isaac Asimov are a prime example. First, a robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm. Second, a robot must obey the orders given to it by human beings, except where such orders would conflict with the First Law. Third, a robot must protect its own existence, provided that such protection does not violate the first or second laws. However, we cannot definitively assert that such safeguards will guarantee peace between humanity and artificial intelligence. In the movie *I, Robot*, an AI appears that reinterprets these three laws on its own, concludes that human behavior will destroy the Earth and lead to human extinction, and attempts to control humanity. Of course, this is an exaggeration for cinematic effect, but the fact that AlphaGo defeated Lee Sedol 9-dan by making moves incomprehensible to humans suggests that the possibility of humans failing to understand AI’s reasoning could be a source of anxiety. A society where machines with superior physical capabilities coexist with humans will never be entirely safe, even with safeguards like the Three Laws.
In the case of narrow AI, the potential benefits are too great to simply oppose its development outright. Imagine AI being deployed in extreme environments that are difficult for humans to access. If AI is developed for use in extreme situations—such as rescuing people from fire scenes or conducting underwater construction—it could bring significant benefits to humanity. However, the scope of AI applications is not limited solely to such indispensable situations. There are various fields where AI can perform tasks more efficiently than humans, even though humans are capable of doing them. For example, in the case of pharmacists, if AI—rather than a pharmacist—were to prepare medications based solely on a prescription, the process would be much faster and more efficient. If such AI were to emerge in a capitalist society, human pharmacists would soon lose their jobs. In fact, there are many predictions that as AI advances, various professions—such as doctors, pharmacists, and teachers—will disappear.
In a capitalist system driven by profit, the advancement of AI is welcome news from a corporate perspective. Since AI requires no wages and operates more efficiently than humans, corporate net profits will increase. However, from the perspective of employees, this means losing their jobs to machines. The expectation that AI will replace a significant portion of human roles implies, conversely, a crisis where many people could lose their jobs. In the long term, the wealth gap between corporations and the general public could widen far beyond current levels, potentially leading to serious social imbalance. Ultimately, this means that AI—developed to advance civilization—could actually plunge civilization into crisis.
In the end, the development of AI is like a double-edged sword. If used properly, it can be a blessing that further advances human civilization; conversely, if misused, it can pose a threat to human well-being. If we could prevent the harm that AI development causes to humanity, I would support its development. However, at present, it is dangerous to blindly push for development when there is no clear, fundamental solution to the occupational imbalances and human alienation brought about by AI’s advancement. That said, directly banning AI development is practically impossible. It is urgent to allow development while minimizing the harm that may arise within the capitalist system and establishing social safeguards to prevent a small wealthy elite from monopolizing the privileges of AI.
Representative safeguards currently under discussion include job sharing and a universal basic income. Job sharing refers to distributing stable jobs among people when certain occupational groups disappear. For example, instead of one person working 40 hours a week in a job with a low risk of automation, that person would share the job with someone who lost their job to AI, each working 20 hours a week. A basic income system is a scheme that provides a minimum living allowance to all members of society, regardless of their assets, income, employment status, or willingness to work. While these two systems are expected to address the issue of jobs disappearing due to AI to some extent, their practical feasibility and specific details have not yet been finalized.
As such, AI has long been a topic of great interest to many people. While some look forward to a future where AI solves difficult problems or where humans coexist peacefully with intelligent artificial lifeforms, others worry about a dystopia where humans are dominated by machines. It remains to be seen whether the development of artificial intelligence will be a gift to humanity or a Pandora’s box that should never have been opened. However, since it is practically impossible to prevent this box from being opened, research to establish social safety nets must proceed in tandem with AI development. To ensure that the advancement of this tool benefits humanity, we must prepare in various ways well in advance.
