The Age of Intelligence

Every 50 - 100 years, a new piece of technology emerges which changes the way humanity interacts with the world. Scrolling back in time, the Bronze Age gave way to the Iron Age once the workings of iron were understood. The Iron Age was replaced by the Industrial Age, once we learned how to make smarter tools and machines which could produce other machines. More recently, the spread of the printing press and literary education gave birth to the Information Age.

Each technology shift foretells multiple societal changes. Physically fit and large individuals were valued during the Bronze and Iron Ages. Disciplined and high-IQ individuals are valued during the Information Age. Physical effort has been largely handed over to technology and machines, after all.

Does the rise of ChatGPT and associated technologies indicate the onset of another era? An era where the skill of understanding and interpreting data becomes commoditized? An era where creativity is valued above rote work? Maybe it does.

Scientists have long known that most humans can access only 15-20% of their conscious brain power. Most forms of known formal education focus on helping students improve this 20%. Does this mean the remainder of your brain is useless? 

We continue to breathe, think, sweat, and process food while sleeping. These processes are controlled by the subconscious brain. This subconscious brain never stops running and controls a lot more processes than your conscious brain.

Your subconscious brain communicates with the conscious brain by sharing gut instincts, premonitions, and feelings. Most people, however, don’t know how to properly use their unconscious brains. They find life a continuous puzzle.

As AI takes over more and more of the mundane operational tasks, humanity is faced with a tricky problem. How best to upskill our people? How to keep everyone relevant in this fast-paced world. The skills we value are changing very fast.

On a philosophical note, it does not matter if you are interested in AI or not, AI has an interest in you.

How people deal with these changes will be interesting to watch.