Lecture 21

Question 1

What is transhumanism

Answer 1

A philosophy advocating the use of technology, particularly AI, to enhance the human condition
Focuses on creating more ‘efficient’ and ‘standardized’ humans through technological, rather than societal improvements

Question 2

What are the four major goals of transhumanism

Answer 2

• Make AI indispensable and mandatory
• Grant AI equal rights to humans
• Create single/global/metaverse society of technological conformity
• Achieve ‘post-humanity’ by the 2050s transcending current human limitations

Question 3

What is the AI revolutions immediate impact

Answer 3

• Increased reliance on AI in all aspects of life
• Escapism through AI driven technologies like virtual reality and the metaverse
• Obedience and addiction to technological systems

Question 4

What hidden costs are associated with technological progress

Answer 4

• Disappearance of childhood and parenthood, with AI replacing traditional roles
• Global depression as time saving technologies paradoxically increase stress
• Erosion of real-world functionality replaced by dependence on virtual systems
• Collapse of non AI based education and sustainable goods
• Cultural homogenization under global technological conformity

Question 5

How does technology paradoxically increase stress depot being time saving?

Answer 5

More devices designed to save time and reduce stress often result in less free time and greater overall stress

Question 6

What societal questions does transhumanism raise?

Answer 6

• Do we need these technologies or are they just improved means to unimproved ends
• How do we balance progress with the potential collapse of traditional societal structures

Question 7

What does “There is no going back” mean in the context of this lecture?

Answer 7

By the 2020’s technology has become a life support system for society making it impossible to revert to a non technological existence

Question 8

How does escapism manifest in the age of AI and the metaverse?

Answer 8

People increasingly rely on virtual realities to avoid real world challenges leading to diminished societal interaction and a loss of community

Question 9

What role does education play in the AI-driven world?

Answer 9

Teachers may become obsolete replaced by AI systems
This created a divide between technologically enhanced individuals and those without access to such advancements

Question 10

What question does the lecture pose about the future?

Answer 10

“Is this the world you want” challenges the audience to reflect on the consequences of unchecked technological dependence and conformity