From Calculators to ChatGPT: AI and the Evolution of Human Intelligence

Lately, there has been a surge of exciting news about the capabilities of ChatGPT and other AI systems. However, there are also concerns that these intelligent machines may eventually dominate humanity if we become too reliant on them. These developments have prompted me to ponder the question: will AI make us less intelligent?

In my view, AI can be thought of as a type of soft robot. While physical robots were a cornerstone of Industry 3.0 and helped automate repetitive and mundane tasks, AI systems operate in a different domain, working in the realm of software and abstract ideas. Although the advent of robots initially raised concerns about job displacement, we saw the emergence of new types of jobs and skills as we created, maintained, and managed these machines. The use of robots also led to the development of new industries such as robotics, computer hardware, and IT, among others. This shift in manufacturing processes not only created employment opportunities but also improved safety and the quality of life for human beings..

When comparing AI with robots and automation, some may argue that physical robots and soft robots (such as algorithms and tools) have fundamentally different natures: Robots primarily free us from the need for physical labor, enabling us to use our "minds" and "thinking" to create and innovate in smarter ways. However, if AI replaces thinking for us as well, then what will be left for us to do?!

I was pondering this question until yesterday as I was organizing my finances and using my computer's calculator. It occurred to me that calculators were one of the earliest forms of intelligent tools we've been using for decades (to automate our "thinking!"). But did they make us dumber or smarter? In the past, we had to calculate by hand, following tedious procedures to add up many numbers. What happened after we started using calculators? Did we stop thinking? The answer is no. Instead, we found new ways to utilize our brains at a higher level, such as "organizing finances!" Then, with the introduction of tools like MS Excel, we began writing complex functions and performing sophisticated data analysis. In other words, calculators and other intelligent tools freed us from the tedium of manual calculations, allowing us to focus on higher-level tasks that require human ingenuity.

Through the automation of every step of thinking, we can elevate our level of thinking. For example, let's consider writing as a mental task. When writing an article, the need to follow grammatical rules can be tedious. However, with tools like ChatGPT that can take care of this aspect for us, we are freed to focus on the content itself. This means that we can concentrate on "what to write" rather than "how to write" or simply "writing". With this newfound space in our minds, we can be more creative. Additionally, automation can improve the quality of writing and expose readers to better grammar, vocabulary, and structure. As a result, people will start to judge writing based on its content rather than its length or level of difficulty. This indeed will help us become a smarter society.

In conclusion, the advent of AI has raised concerns about its impact on human intelligence and this article was just an attempt to address the issue from my (one) perspective: when we examine the historical impact of automation and robotics, we see that new technology has not made us dumber but has, in fact, created opportunities for human innovation and creativity. With the automation of every step of thinking, AI and other intelligent tools free us from the tedium of thinking at lower-levels, enabling us to concentrate on more complex, higher-level tasks that require human ingenuity. As we move forward, we can use AI as a soft robot to elevate our thinking to new heights, creating a smarter society that can make the most of human and machine capabilities.

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Written by Javad Seif, Ph.D., edited by ChatGPT

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