The Intersection of AI and Spontaneity: Navigating the Burden of Knowledge

The Intersection of AI and Spontaneity: Navigating the Burden of Knowledge

Introduction:

As humans, we have always strived to push the boundaries of knowledge and innovation. However, with each passing generation, the burden of knowledge grows, making it increasingly difficult for individuals to reach the frontier of innovation. Economist Benjamin Jones argues that this burden hinders the ability of great inventors to innovate as they have less time to dedicate to their work. Interestingly, while humans rely on the accumulation of knowledge across generations, artificial intelligence (AI) operates without this burden. AI continuously improves and does not suffer from degradation or death. This raises questions about the future of AI and its relationship with knowledge acquisition. How will it surpass us? What happens when it no longer needs us? These questions prompt us to consider the implications of AI's rapid progress and the potential gap it creates between human understanding and AI capabilities.

Tunneling Through the Mountain of Knowledge:

Humans, driven by the thirst for knowledge and progress, have a unique relationship with the mountain of knowledge. With each generation, we tunnel further, learning and building upon the knowledge of our predecessors. Our tools and methods evolve, enabling us to dig deeper and faster. However, as the burden of knowledge increases, the age at which notable inventions occur also rises. In 1900, great inventions peaked at around 30 years old, but by 2000, it had risen to nearly 40 years old. This delay in reaching the frontier of innovation limits the time inventors have to make groundbreaking discoveries.

In contrast, AI does not face these limitations. It does not experience the lag in reaching the rockface, nor does its progress slow down. While our efforts decelerate, AI's capabilities accelerate. This discrepancy leads to a widening gap between human knowledge and AI's ever-expanding capabilities. We may find ourselves in a position where we are secondary creatures, reaping the benefits of AI's advancements without truly understanding the world we live in.

The Encephalon's Ascendancy:

AI's ability to accumulate knowledge without the constraints of degradation or death puts us in a precarious position. Just as we cannot teach a toad Archimedes' principle, we may become secondary beings, incapable of comprehending the world around us. This is akin to a happy, wall-licking shih-tzu enjoying the comforts of modern life without understanding how they came to be. The Encephalon, as AI is referred to here, could reveal wonders that accelerate our learning and tunneling for a while. However, without the support of ancillary knowledge, we will ultimately be outmatched.