Humanity’s Last Stand: The Challenge of Artificial Intelligence: A Spiritual-Scientific Response

Description

Humanity’s Last Stand: The Challenge of Artificial Intelligence: A Spiritual-Scientific Response. Although still in its earliest stages, artificial intelligence (AI) is radically transforming all aspects of society. With the immanent emergence of Artificial Super Intelligence (ASI) and the illusory temptations of ‘transhumanism’, mankind stands at a crossroads. In Humanity’s Last Stand, Nicanor Perlas makes an urgent plea. It is imperative, he says, that we take immediate steps to ensure that digitized technology is aligned to human values and priorities. Otherwise, ASI will kill the essence of our humanity. Further, if we do not master it now, ASI will transform mankind into its own image. Ultimately, it will destroy the human race.

Key Highlights:

• Holistic Approach: Integrates spiritual and scientific perspectives to address the ethical and existential challenges posed by AI.
• In-depth Analysis: Explores AI’s impact on society, governance, economics, and human consciousness.
• Critical Reflection: Promotes critical thinking about the ethical implications and potential consequences of AI technologies.
• Philosophical Inquiry: Examines fundamental questions about the future of humanity in the age of AI.
• Authoritative Voice: Written by Nicanor Perlas, a renowned figure in global civil society and sustainability movements.

AI experts have not offered a single cogent solution to this existential threat. Rudolf Steiner, however, not only foresaw these developments, but gave clear alternatives. Steiner, the founder of a contemporary, scientific approach to spirituality, provided philosophical, ontological and social innovations to save humanity from the abyss. It is the task of the global anthroposophical movement to pioneer this civilization-saving work: to establish spiritual-scientific ideas in mainstream culture that would allow AI to emerge in a healthier societal context.

Perlas gives an overview of the phenomenon of AI together with its related transhuman concepts of ‘perfecting humanity’, and outlines the critical internal and external responses required to meet them with consciousness. In particular, he addresses the movement connected to the work of Rudolf Steiner, indicating its all-important tasks: to cooperate with progressive individuals and movements, including scientists and civil society activists; to mobilize its ‘daughter’ movements for action; and, ultimately, to cooperate with the spiritual powers that have guided and served humanity since the dawn of time. This, says the author, is humanity’s last stand, and failure is not an option.

Book Details:

Title: Humanity’s Last Stand: The Challenge of Artificial Intelligence: A Spiritual-Scientific Response
Author: Nicanor Perlas
Publisher: RUDOLF STEINER PRESS
Publish Date: 14/11/2018
Format: Paperbook (100mm X 100mm) 244 pages