Do Robots Make Love: From AI To Immortality

 

This book consists of a lot of discussions on technology advancements in recent decades, then predictions on human future were made, based on the technology advancements.

Authors of this book, Laurent Alexandre is a French entreprenuer and also a columnist, his field of study is mainly on Transhumanism. Whereas Jean-Michel Besnier is a French billionaire. With long dialogues, these authors provide an insight to the readers, about the technology advancements or progress of research on NBIC ( Nanotechnology, Biotechnology, Information Technology, Cognitive Science).

Technology advancement is almost inevitable, as human race always have the momentum to stride forward. In fact, the technology advancements in late 20th century and 2000s, had changed most of people's live. It's only a matter of whether we realized the changes or not. E.g, vaccine had been much more popularized in recent decades.( Even before the existence of COVID vaccine.)

Since that technology advancement is almost inevitable, it's very crucial that how we imagine and shape our future, with deep thinking on the technology advancements, on the relationship between human and AI. Our thinking now, can shape the world in next 30-50 years.

Thus, by questioning the relationship between human and machine and AI, we actually can define better on the nature of human. For example, the authors define that "free will" is part of human nature, without free will, human does not have much difference between machine or animal.

In the 12 dialogues in this book, Laurent Alexandre plays as the radical and optimistic side in the discussion. He believes the advancements in NBIC would bring human race a much better life in future, or at least, the bright sides of NBIC are much more than the risks behind.

Jean-Michel Besnier is the voice of conservatism and relatively pessimistic in observing technology advancements.

It's the different perspectives on discussion about NBIC, that made this book interesting. Thus, it can inspire us on the imagination of human nature, and be ready for the future.

However, at the last few parts in this book, both authors shown serious concerns on the situation that all these crucial technology advancements are handled by GAFA (Google, Apple, Facebook, Amazon). These big beasts in Silicon Valley may surpass the power of governments, uncontrollably dominant in the world.

In my opinion, it's important that we keep a close observation on technology advancements (especially NBIC), to be prepared for future changes, be optimistic but skeptical at the same time.