Pluralistic: Refining humanity (05 Jun 2026)

2022-10-02 · Source: Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow · Field: Technology & Digital — Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, Emerging Technologies & Innovation · Depth: Novice, long

Summary

Cory Doctorow's article "Refining humanity" explores how technology, particularly computers and artificial intelligence, serves as a mirror, forcing humans to explicitly define their tacit knowledge and re-evaluate what constitutes humanity. Programming demands breaking down "obvious" concepts into literal instructions, as illustrated by challenges in alphabetizing titles or the "falsehoods programmers believe" lists regarding names and addresses. The inflexibility of digital systems often compels individuals to seek systemic changes when their realities don't conform to binary data fields. Furthermore, AI's ability to achieve outcomes previously considered uniquely human, such as "creativity" in chess, prompts a redefinition of human capabilities. Doctorow, aligning with Ted Chiang, argues against granting personhood to machines, advocating instead for refining our understanding of humanity and extending moral consideration to living beings. While deep learning may bypass explicit human introspection, it still compels a re-examination of what makes us special.

Key takeaway

For software developers and policy makers designing digital systems, recognize that technology exposes the inherent biases and limitations of human tacit knowledge. Your systems must be built with flexibility to accommodate the full spectrum of human realities, rather than enforcing rigid, binary classifications. Actively campaign for systemic changes that allow for diverse identities and experiences, and critically resist the impulse to grant personhood to artificial constructs, focusing instead on refining our understanding of human and living-being distinctiveness.

Key insights

Technology, particularly AI, compels us to make tacit knowledge explicit and continuously refine our understanding of human distinctiveness.

Principles

• Computers are literalists; programmers must bridge the gap.
• Digital systems' rigidity demands systemic societal change.
• Machine capabilities refine, not diminish, human definition.

In practice

• Interrogate tacit assumptions when designing systems.
• Advocate for flexible digital systems accommodating diverse realities.
• Re-evaluate "human-only" tasks in light of AI advancements.

Topics

• Artificial Intelligence
• Human-Computer Interaction
• Digital Ethics
• Tacit Knowledge
• System Design
• AI Personhood
• Societal Impact of Technology

Code references

• kdeldycke/awesome-falsehood

Best for: AI Ethicist, Policy Maker, General Interest

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Editorial summary, takeaway, and curation by AIssential. Original article published by Pluralistic: Daily links from Cory Doctorow.