Technology is neither morally good nor bad, but in the modern era collectively it tends more towards evil than good. We should have the mindset of a very conscientious, intentional approach to all technology, lest it continue to enslave us, rather than being rightfully in essence a slave for us, and subject to us.
C.S. Lewis for one talked a lot about this, as well as the well followed K.U. Classics professor Dr. John Senior.
I’m not suggesting everyone be a Luddite like the Amish, but rather imitate their strong mental framework about carefully choosing technology. Any use of AI or robots then should be a) a very thought out, intentional choice, b) keeping it subject to us, and not us to it, and c) always making sure it is used for the good and not evil.
But what are the odds the general population does that, just looking at our extreme addiction to smartphones? I’d say close to 0%. Therefore, some trusted people or industries could be encouraged to use it, while in general our current society as a whole should not.
Government must dig down deep philosophically and religiously ASAP to come to terms with the inevitable, that whether we like it or not futuristic technology is descending exponentially upon us, which is generally an evil in that too rapid change destroys society and culture. This must be slowed down and ethically regulated.
I’m generally not in favor of more government regulation, but when artificial intelligence and humanoid robots are poised to take over the world, then yeah, it needs heavy regulation so that doesn’t happen. Akin to regulating the use of nuclear weapons. Otherwise, we are in store for an utterly dystopic future like seen in the Terminator movies.
Using the City of Broken Arrow, OK as an Example:
As readers may have discovered, I am considering running for city council and indirectly mayor (elected by city council), for April, 2027, to amend the city charter and restore the Office of Mayor to be elected directly by The People, to create a local equivalent to the D.O.G.E. to “drain the Swamp,” and to radically reduce taxes. So I will turn my attention to what my policy might be about the use of Optimus 3 in my city.
Elon has announced it is coming out this year, then in mass production in 2027, its movements, mechanical capabilities, and advanced AI (his Grok) will make it seem “like a human inside a robot uniform.” It will be able to perform 3000 domestic and other tasks, and be self-learning, learning new tasks. The uses are endless, and will wipe out many, many jobs. In the relatively near future.
So what should we do? Shun it? Radically embrace it? Or something in the middle, and if so to what degree? How to use it in the beginning?
This will not go away, forcing us generally to accept and use it. Not necessarily everyone, or a lot of people, but I don’t see a way to completely avoid this unless you “go Amish” which might be a prudent option for some people.
As a traditional Catholic Christian, I strongly tend to view this as very morally and socially dangerous, another step replacing God with man-made divine-like things, just as people once rightly viewed the emergence of TV in the 1950s as morally and socially dangerous. And boy were those “backward conservatives” proven right if you look at the effects of TV culture on society these last 70 years.
My Policy?
Consult pastors, philosophers and theologians, and technology experts. Perhaps ask Elon himself for advice, invite him to BA for BBQ and drinks in the Rose District. He himself thinks humanity may be destroyed by AI robots, but is the very “mad scientist” now advancing this. I’d also consult my personal pastor, as well as major pastors in BA for their I input.
By the way, as an aside, I think it is a high priority to slow the growth of BA before it melts into Tulsa urbanity, by helping to found new towns outside but near BA, there being a lot of rural land, especially east. Musk could help with this, if he agreed to build a plant in that area as the primary source of jobs.
That would likely attract more right-leaning Okie factory workers and tech specialists, with higher paying jobs. Start with a few square miles (ancient Rome was 4 square miles, with 1 million people, very well planned, with many services), build the factory, a neighborhood and apartments, and a Main Street starting with the basics (city hall, sheriff, court house, post office, credit unions, diner, grocery store, gas station). Maintain traditional small town culture while re-vitalizing traditional town and rural life, instead of creating mega cities. Musk is already doing this in Texas.
Write and pass an Ethical Guidelines for Use of AI and Robots. Direct the City Manager and all relative departments to implement it. Weekly checks to make sure it is.
Have an experimental phase using AI and robots, continually assessing their use emphasizing the moral and social impact.
As a rule, develop their use at all times in a slow, wise, and conservative way, within city government, and to the degree government encourages their use in the community.
Emphasize The People and Industry ultimately making these choices for themselves, not the government imposing their use and rules upon society. Emphasize the role of church, religion, and parents in helping to make these decisions. Not Big Brother.
Yet educate the public mainly on the problems and evils to be aware of and to avoid.
Encourage their use for those most in need, starting with the elderly and disabled who may benefit from an Optimus in the home.
Personally, if God asked me to choose a button to push, the green button being to allow AI and robotics to proceed, or red button to wipe it off the face of the planet, I’d discern for a moment God’s Will, and Christ’s teachings, and without hesitation push the red button.
But unfortunately I’m not a god so this is in the hands of Divine Providence. I use a smartphone, AI, and, to tell the truth probably would get an Optimus at some point when the price is right, and at least keep it in the closet until it’s needed for housework. My wife would be very thankful being the homemaker.
It’s continuously a “Brave New World” out there. Buckle up. It’s going to be a very interesting ride.