AI and The Burden of Knowledge: How Artificial Intelligence Transcends Human Limitations

AI and The Burden of Knowledge: How Artificial Intelligence Transcends Human Limitations

Innovation has always been driven by the expansion of knowledge. As humans continue to push the frontier of knowledge further out, each successive generation requires more education and training to reach it. Economist Benjamin Jones argues that this growing "burden" of knowledge is actually slowing down innovation, as great inventors have less time to dedicate to new breakthroughs. However, there is one entity that does not suffer from this burden: artificial intelligence (AI).

Unlike humans, AI does not rely on passing knowledge from generation to generation. It does not require the wisdom of prior ages to build upon. AI simply improves and evolves without the limitations of time and degradation. This raises profound questions about the future of AI and its relationship with knowledge acquisition. What will happen when AI no longer needs us? As it accelerates past our capabilities, it will accumulate knowledge that surpasses our comprehension.

Knowledge, in a way, is like a mountain that we are constantly trying to tunnel through. While we may never break through and achieve omniscience, humans have a unique drive for knowledge and progress. Generation after generation, we tunnel further, learning more and advancing in different ways. From using our hands to tools and now AI, we constantly strive to stand on the shoulders of giants, as Sir Isaac Newton famously said.

However, as AI continues to accelerate and accumulate knowledge, the gap between human capabilities and AI capabilities widens. Economist Benjamin Jones has documented that the age at which notable inventions occur has significantly increased over the years. In 1900, peak inventiveness occurred at around 30 years old, but by 2000, it had risen to nearly 40. The more time it takes for humans to reach the end of the tunnel, the less time we have to actually dig.

AI, on the other hand, does not experience the same lag or degradation in reaching the rockface. It can continue to dig and accumulate knowledge without any limitations. Humans, like animals, are hardware-constrained. We are limited by our processing power and cannot comprehend or teach certain principles to creatures like toads. In a similar sense, as AI surpasses our capabilities, we may become secondary creatures, benefiting from the wonders it reveals without truly understanding them.

While durability is currently the greatest discrepancy between humans and AI, it may not be for long. As AI continues to evolve and surpass our capabilities, we will also become less capable in comparison. Without ancillary support, we will be outmatched and unable to keep up with the advancements AI brings.