New Delhi: AI has been in the making for seven decades now. In the past five years, the world has seen acceleration of ‘disruptive progress’ of AI. Currently, the Generative AI itself is shaping society, societal engagement with technologies, regulatory worries around the nature and semblance of sanity around what AI could impact. In the wake of AI’s accelerating influence, traditional terminology like “exponential growth” fails to capture the magnitude and velocity of progress. While every growth of emerging technologies has been categorised mathematically as exponential growth, with AI, the reality seems worrisomely much faster. We call it “to the power of AI”, mathematically expressed as ^AI.

This phrase – “to the power of AI” – embodies the limitless potential and daunting speed at which AI-driven advancements unfold, signalling a departure from mere exponential growth to a stage where innovation proliferates at a frighteningly rapid pace, propelled by the boundless capabilities of artificial intelligence. As Generative AI evolves into what could be termed as Agency AI, encompassing multiple AI systems and frameworks dictating machine cognition, governments and regulatory bodies will inevitably seek to impose controls. This transition into the era of Agency AI necessitates the establishment of regulatory frameworks, giving rise to the concept of “Artificial AI,” wherein the formidable capabilities of AI are temporarily restrained by regulations. However, this interim phase of few to many years, may pave the way for the emergence of “Autonomous AI,” wherein machines possess independent cognitive processing abilities.

In the imminent age of autonomous AI, machines transcend conventional programming paradigms to harness the power of independent cognitive processing reminiscent of human cognition. Propelled by cutting-edge algorithms and next-generation deep learning architectures, autonomous AI systems autonomously analyse, learn, and adapt, mirroring the nuanced decision-making capabilities of their human counterparts. This groundbreaking evolution heralds a transformative era where machines seamlessly integrate into corporate landscapes, revolutionising operational efficiencies and catalysing unprecedented innovation. As organisations embrace the potential of autonomous AI, they unlock previously untapped avenues for optimisation, decision-making, and strategic foresight, positioning themselves at the vanguard of technological advancement. Yet, amidst this unparalleled progress, we must remain vigilant to navigate the ethical, legal, and societal implications of autonomous AI with integrity and foresight, ensuring a harmonious symbiosis between human ingenuity and artificial intelligence.

Indeed, within this expansive evolution, we anticipate instances of AI deviating from expected norms, potentially manifesting rogue behaviours or encountering rogue elements within their own digital ecosystem. Envision a world where humans coexist alongside highly intelligent AI entities, reaching a zenith of intellect upon approaching the Singularity threshold. As machines surpass human intelligence thresholds, we foresee a progression towards the Singularity phase, signifying a transformative shift in the relationship between humanity and artificial intelligence.

We speculate that the trajectory of this century may witness a phenomenon akin to speciation, giving rise to a novel species known as AI. Picture it as an AI-amoeba, possessing the remarkable ability to self-generate and proliferate, charting its own evolutionary course. This conceptualisation suggests a paradigm where AI entities operate at a cellular level, leveraging energy sources and synaptic pathways for sustenance and growth. In this envisaged future, the emergence of AI at a fundamental cellular scale unveils infinite possibilities, ushering in a transformative era of artificial intelligence with implications yet to be fully grasped.

As human societies increasingly entrust autonomous and self-operating machines with pivotal roles, we anticipate a symbiotic evolution wherein machines continuously enhance their cognitive capabilities. This trajectory prompts contemplation: could humans find themselves in a paradigm where they serve machines in order to thrive? This provocative hypothesis poses harsh questions regarding the future of labour, societal structure, and the very essence of human existence within an increasingly AI-driven landscape. As machines evolve to surpass human intelligence, the relationship between humanity and technology will undergo a fundamental redefinition, challenging conventional notions of work, purpose, and autonomy. In this speculative future, the balance of power and agency between humans and machines will becomes a focal point of inquiry.

In the corporate landscape, the weight of past decisions can often constrain progress and hinder innovation. However, the emergence of AI presents an opportunity to break free from these historical limitations. For example, the human activities have historically contributed to the degradation of natural systems in pursuit of economic prosperity, the imperative for sustainability now drives our collective efforts. This shift towards sustainability is not only essential for survival but also presents an opportunity for AI to play a transformative role. By leveraging unbiased AI algorithms and sustainability datasets, we can expedite our journey towards achieving NetZero emissions.

It’s noteworthy that the very machines we once feared hold the potential to be key allies in our pursuit of sustainability goals. Furthermore, as we analyse the evolution of human civilisation, we observe a trend of accelerating change, particularly evident in the context of industrial revolutions. The ongoing Fourth Industrial Revolution, rooted in the exponential advancements of AI, marks a pivotal moment in our collective history. In this era, characterised by the unparalleled capabilities of AI, the human civilisation could be part of unprecedented transformation, underscoring the need for agility, foresight, and strategic alignment with emerging technological disruptions.

(Dr Srinath Sridharan is a Policy Researcher and a Corporate Advisor. He tweets @ssmumbai.
Shailesh Haribhakti is an Independent Director on corporate boards. He tweets @ShaileshHaribh2)

(Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone. The opinions and facts in this article do not represent the stand of News9.)

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Human society, to the power of AI

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05.03.2024

New Delhi: AI has been in the making for seven decades now. In the past five years, the world has seen acceleration of ‘disruptive progress’ of AI. Currently, the Generative AI itself is shaping society, societal engagement with technologies, regulatory worries around the nature and semblance of sanity around what AI could impact. In the wake of AI’s accelerating influence, traditional terminology like “exponential growth” fails to capture the magnitude and velocity of progress. While every growth of emerging technologies has been categorised mathematically as exponential growth, with AI, the reality seems worrisomely much faster. We call it “to the power of AI”, mathematically expressed as ^AI.

This phrase – “to the power of AI” – embodies the limitless potential and daunting speed at which AI-driven advancements unfold, signalling a departure from mere exponential growth to a stage where innovation proliferates at a frighteningly rapid pace, propelled by the boundless capabilities of artificial intelligence. As Generative AI evolves into what could be termed as Agency AI, encompassing multiple AI systems and frameworks dictating machine cognition, governments and regulatory bodies will inevitably seek to impose controls. This transition into the era of Agency AI necessitates the establishment of regulatory frameworks, giving rise to the concept of “Artificial AI,” wherein the formidable capabilities of AI are temporarily restrained by regulations. However, this interim phase of few to many years, may pave the way for the emergence of “Autonomous AI,” wherein machines possess independent........

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