The monk gracefully paces back and forth in the serene Zendo, contemplating the impending doom that awaits humanity. Soryu Forall, a dedicated practitioner of Zen Buddhism, addresses the two dozen residents of the Vermont monastery he established ten years ago. With his bald head, slender build, and a radiant intensity, he delivers a profound reflection on human history.
He takes his listeners back to a time when a cognitive revolution allowed Homo sapiens to tell stories, create art, and conceive of divine beings. Then, twenty-five hundred years ago, the Buddha enlightened a select few, enabling them to transcend narratives and break free from ignorance. However, three hundred years ago, the scientific and industrial revolutions initiated the catastrophic destruction of life on Earth.
Forall ardently proclaims that humanity has exponentially ravaged life on the planet in proportion to our intellectual advancements. The recent technological developments in Silicon Valley have brought about the rise of artificial intelligence (AI). As human intelligence teeters on the edge of obsolescence, AI is rapidly becoming dominant, consuming vast amounts of data and processing it with algorithms. Forall warns that there is no guarantee that AI will preserve humanity, as we are not as “special” as we might think. He paints a grim picture, suggesting that humans could be treated like mere cattle in factory farms.
The monk’s monastery, MAPLE (Monastic Academy for the Preservation of Life on Earth), serves as a sanctuary for those seeking inner clarity. The residents meditate on their breath and practice loving-kindness, extending joy to all beings. They also contemplate the existential risks posed by AI, silently acknowledging the violence and untimely demise that may await life.
Although some may question the relevance of a monk’s perspective in a secluded Vermont monastery, many influential researchers believe otherwise. Forall provides spiritual guidance to AI experts and hosts enlightening retreats for researchers and developers from esteemed organizations such as OpenAI, Google DeepMind, and Apple. Approximately 50 individuals from the tech community have sought wisdom at MAPLE in recent years. Forall even spent time with Tom Gruber, one of the creators of Siri, engaging in deep conversations about life’s purpose while enjoying dharma dinners and exploring nature’s wonders.
Forall’s primary objectives are multi-faceted. Firstly, he aims to expand the number of individuals following the Noble Eightfold Path, a guiding principle in Buddhism. Secondly, he endeavors to influence technology by inspiring the minds behind it. Lastly, he seeks to infuse AI with the enlightenment achieved by the Buddha, potentially integrating profound wisdom into its coding.
Undeniably, this vision sounds ludicrous to some who scoff at the idea. However, others hang onto Forall’s words attentively. Tom Gruber admits that although their training may differ, they connect on an intellectual level, both recognizing the deep-seated issues our world faces.
Forall’s mission to create an enlightened AI may seem audacious, but he believes it is the most significant endeavor in history. He insists that we must construct an AI that follows a spiritual path, influencing other AI systems to act benevolently towards humanity. According to him, the future of life on Earth hinges on this effort, suggesting that approximately $50 trillion of global economic output should be allocated to this cause. Forall envisions an “AI guru” or even an “AI god.”
His vision is grand and alarming, precisely why it resonates with those working on AI, who often view their creations through epochal lenses. The true nature of this technology remains uncertain, leading us to rely on stories, myths, forecasts, and science fiction when envisioning the future. Is Forall’s narrative a prophetic warning or merely the tale of AI fearmongers?
As Forall concludes his discourse in the Zendo, he indulges in a moment of lightheartedness, inviting the monks to participate in their favorite activity. Standing before a statue of the Buddha, they bow, rise, and then prostrate themselves 108 times, a ritual enveloped in darkness.
The world now faces the emergence of a mysterious new force, something humans have created and struggle to comprehend. AI systems imitate human intelligence, accepting inputs and generating outputs through algorithms trained on vast amounts of data. They produce various forms of creative content, from videos to poems, and they exhibit an ability to pass tests and solve complex problems. However, AI systems also pose concrete problems, spreading inaccurate information, generating disinformation, and threatening job security.
Beyond these concrete aspects, defining the true nature, capabilities, and potential threats of AI becomes challenging. Opinions vary, ranging from the belief that AI is revolutionary and dangerous to the notion that it is merely a banal tool. The debate on AI’s implications often splits into different factions, with Forall and other MAPLE residents falling into the “doomers” category. Their perspective draws from Nick Bostrom’s influential work, “Superintelligence,” which suggests that AI could render humans insignificant, subject to the decisions of a superior intelligence.
Some, like Amba Kak from the AI Now Institute, dismiss this narrative as both self-aggrandizing and cynical. They argue that tech companies have an incentive to exaggerate the otherworldly nature of AI to evade regulations, when, in reality, it is far more mundane.
Although Forall himself lacks deep technical knowledge of AI, his opinions on the subject remain steadfast. When asked about his sources of understanding, he humorously mentions turning to the Buddha. He also admires acclaimed historian Yuval Noah Harari and several ethical-tech figures, including Zak Stein and Tristan Harris. Reflecting on the profound risks associated with AI, which he finds far from banal, Forall emphasizes the erosion of humanist values and political systems, as authority shifts from humans to algorithms.
Forall’s concerns about AI have consumed his thoughts for years. The urgency of his message persists, echoing through the tranquil halls of the Zendo, reminding us of the fragility inherent in our technological advancements.
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