Back to Articles
Being Human Under the AI Advance

ABC News

ENRICHED

Details

Date Published
17 June 2024
Priority Score
3
Australian
Yes
Created
17 June 2026, 02:00 pm

Description

As artificial intelligence increasingly does what humans can do, and begins to possibly rise above human capabilities, the question is 'what does being human actually mean, in this era?' Anna Goldsworthy has been thinking long and hard about this era-defining change, for the latest issue of Australian Quarterly. Guest: Anna Goldsworthy, author of the latest Quarterly Essay, ‘The God we made: the threat and promise of artificial intelligence’  Author of several books, including the novel Melting Moments and the memoirs Piano Lessons and Welcome to Your New Life, as well as the 2013 Quarterly Essay Unfinished Business.   Dean of the Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts at Adelaide University, and incoming Artistic Director of the Australian National Academy of Music.  Producers: Ann Arnold, David Marr

Summary

This discussion explores the existential implications of artificial intelligence as it approaches and potentially exceeds human capabilities, specifically examining the 'God-like' nature of frontier AI. It addresses the urgent need for humans to maintain control over autonomous systems to prevent systemic harm and loss of agency. The content highlights the tension between technological advancement and human flourishing, contributing a philosophical lens to Australian discourse on the societal and existential risks posed by unaligned AI development.

Body

As artificial intelligence increasingly does what humans can do, and begins to possibly rise above human capabilities, the question is 'what does being human actually mean, in this era?' Anna Goldsworthy has been thinking long and hard about this era-defining change, for the latest issue of Australian Quarterly.Guest: Anna Goldsworthy, author of the latest Quarterly Essay, ‘The God we made: the threat and promise of artificial intelligence’ Author of several books, including the novel Melting Moments and the memoirs Piano Lessons and Welcome to Your New Life, as well as the 2013 Quarterly Essay Unfinished Business.  Dean of the Elder Conservatorium of Music and School of Performing Arts at Adelaide University, and incoming Artistic Director of the Australian National Academy of Music. Producers: Ann Arnold, David MarrCreditsDavid Marr, PresenterAnn Arnold, ProducerImage DetailsIt is a race for humans to keep control of artificial intelligence, to ensure that it works to the benefit of humans, and not to cause harm.  (Pavel Danilyuk/Pexels)Program:More from Late Night LiveTechnology, Information and Communication, Society Appears In Anna Goldsworthy on being human in the era of AI, plus the wonders of the Paris MenagerieDuration: 54 minutes 29 seconds54m 2itemsIn this episode1 of 2PlayingBeing human under the AI advanceDuration: 25 minutes 59 seconds25m 2 of 2The Paris menagerie that made the modern worldDuration: 25 minutes 16 seconds25m