We hear much about the need to control Artificial Intelligence. We know it will replace many jobs, new technological developments always have. They have also created new jobs. But there is growing – and reasonable – fear that AI may do more harm than good. The speed with which it analyses, relates, remembers, and authoritatively informs us about what has happened gives it an air of intelligence quite unlike any mechanical source we have had before. Until now the wise and experienced parents, friends, professors and employers have been our sources of knowledge and wisdom.
We behave as though we think that these two essential aids to decision-making exist hand in hand. A moment’s thought tells us otherwise. Knowledge is mostly memory; wisdom is deduction. To know the dates of all the Roman Emperors is impressive. To deduce the reasons why so many empires fell is creative. Humans developed better memories than most animals by learning to communicate more accurately. Our powers of deduction were garnered from a competitive wish to understand the origin of our world in order to improve it.
AI does not have the power of deduction that Einstein had. But Einstein had exceptional mental gifts not given to most of us. What we have not yet understood is that the appearance of deduction and real deduction are, for most people, difficult to tell apart. Clever people do deduce things not observed before. Most, inevitably, repeat deductions made by others. Nothing wrong with that, it’s how we learn. It’s just not original deduction. The importance of the few exceptional brains in society is that they help advance humanity, albeit a little bit at a time.
As AI is now conceived it will not do that for us.
Those at the forefront of AI development know that it is already very close to being more creative than humans. It is certainly going to surpass us. Those in control of the data processing bases will then effectively be in control of us. If we have not already passed this point we may be doing so even as I write. Governments, organisations, societies, religions, universities are already setting up groups and attempting to formulate rules and legislation in order to control the power AI will then have over us. But they must see the almost total failure of such structures to control fake news, forgery and theft. How can they reasonably expect to control AI?
They can’t. Only you can control AI for yourself. How you will do that depends on your answer to the question ‘What do you want for your time on earth?’ Sadly, few people think about this enough to enjoy life. A few minutes’ thought would allow them to realise that the essentials of happiness are Self-control, Appreciation, Creation, Resolution, Empathy, Delight. That forms a mnemonic – SACRED. Not the sacred of a religious belief but the sacred of a self-belief.
That is what you want for your life.
An initial reaction to ‘sacred’ in this context is often “No, I’m not sacred”. But there are several circumstances in which we describe life as sacred. All religions regard human life as sacred. Why should we deny it when the word is applied to us? You are sacred. Get used to it. Doing so will enable you to set your life’s First Purpose to achieve it. How? By being Genuine, Engaging, Nurturing, Endearing, Radiant, Openhearted, Universal, Sociable.
You don’t need me to interpret that mnemonic, do you?*
From this First Purpose you can develop the practical strategy for your life. It will be a number of specific objectives the achievement of which will fulfil your First Purpose. These Secondary Purposes are the template by which you will weigh all the opportunities and disasters that you come across. Establishing your secondary purposes will be the subject of a later Daily Paradox.
Seems a long way from AI? Not at all. Taking full charge of your own life is the only way to deal with AI. It is the most liberating thing you can do.
What many people have yet to learn is that it is also the most fulfilling.
Good morning
John BIttleston
*GENEROUS – but I’m sure you had already worked that out.
This Daily Paradox was inspired by all the wonderful people
with whom we have worked over the last 30+ years.
Our thanks to you know no bounds, our prayers for you, no limits.
13 May 2025
