Summary of Key Points
The rapid development of artificial intelligence (AI) poses two major challenges to human dignity: firstly, the possibility that a silicon-based civilization could surpass a carbon-based one, and secondly, the risk of our own thinking abilities being “outsourced” by machines. However, this also presents an opportunity to highlight our dignity. On one hand, we must compete internationally in AI to avoid falling behind; on the other hand, we need to regulate its use through ethical guidelines to ensure that it serves humanity rather than replacing us. Ultimately, we must uphold the core principle that makes us human—our ability to think. We should use AI as a tool, not a master.
The Two Major Dignity Challenges in the Age of AI
The dignity challenges brought by AI are primarily twofold:
1. The Potential for Machines to Overtake Humans: If AI becomes more powerful than human intelligence, we could lose control over our world, and our dignity would be at stake.
2. Human Dependence on AI Leading to a Decline in Thinking Abilities: If we rely entirely on AI to write reports, make decisions, and even think for us, our cognitive abilities may weaken, turning us into mere puppets that receive everything without effort. This would abandon the very essence of what makes us human, stripping away our dignity.
Why Avoid Falling Behind?
The global competition in AI is intense, with the United States viewing it as a strategic weapon:
- Henry Kissinger has stated that AI could make human rationality no longer the sole form of intelligence, and thus the U.S. must focus on maintaining its competitive edge.
- When asked whether AI out-of-control situations could be halted, Vice President Mike Pence responded by asking if China would stop using AI first, indicating fear of being surpassed if we did.
- Steve Jobs, former CEO of Apple, once said that the era of nuclear deterrence is over, and AI represents a new form of it. Those who hesitate in developing AI will fall behind.
In this context, China cannot afford to lag behind. The principle of “survival of the fittest” from Yan Fu’s “The Evolution of Heaven” remains relevant today; failure to keep up could lead to being constrained and losing even the foundation for our dignity—national strength.
China’s Approach to AI
China’s approach to AI is pragmatic:
1. Proactive Development Without Impetuosity: For example, Wuhan temporarily suspended issuing new driver’s licenses due to traffic issues caused by autonomous vehicles. While Silicon Valley aims for speed, China places more emphasis on social stability.
2. Protecting the Vulnerable: China has banned companies from using AI to lay off workers and has introduced policies to empower employment through AI, as well as restricting the use of AI companions for minors to protect their development.
3. Being a Good International Partner: China provides AI technology to less developed countries, helping them with agriculture and healthcare, thereby contributing to global progress and demonstrating the dignity of a major nation.
Even former Google CEO Eric Schmidt acknowledges that China is more cautious than Silicon Valley but more proactive in its approach to AI, recognizing that only when AI is safe and controllable can it truly improve people’s lives.
The Key to Upholding Dignity
The key to preserving dignity lies in ensuring that AI serves as a tool, not a master:
- Ancient Wisdom: Philosophers like Mencius and Xunzi emphasized the importance of thinking and morality.
- Western Insights: Pascal noted that humans are “fragile reeds” capable of great things because we can think, which gives us more dignity than the universe that could destroy us.
- Practical Steps: Even when AI assists with decisions or tasks, we must still make our own judgments. Let AI help with research or booking flights, but always remain the primary decision-maker.
The Coexistence of Challenges and Opportunities in the Age of AI
This is both a time of challenge (AI could replace us) and an opportunity (we can choose how to use it). The essence of being human lies not in what we can do or possess, but in who we are—thinkers with dignity. As long as we maintain our ability to think, AI will always be a tool at our service, allowing us to shine in this era of artificial intelligence.