Artificial Intelligence Should Be a Good Kick in the Groin | MIT's Michael Schrage | Big Think

TL;DR

Using AI and technology to create different versions of ourselves for self-enhancement and self-improvement.

Transcript

I like to say that the real future of AI is not artificial intelligence but augmented introspection. All of these different theories of mind and theories of self create opportunities for redefining what we want augmented introspection to be. Look at Eric Berne's transactional analysis: parent, child, adult. Different ways of thinking about the self... Read More

Key Insights

• 🤳 Augmented introspection aims to utilize AI and technology to enhance various aspects of the self.
• 👻 The self is about agency and choice, allowing individuals to decide which attributes they want to improve or suppress.
• 🤳 Psychology and sociology provide deep insights into understanding the self and identity in self-improvement processes.
• 💨 Recommendation engines offer a symmetrical way for individuals to enhance or mitigate different aspects of themselves.
• 🤔 Daniel Kahneman's work on thinking fast and slow presents opportunities for designing self-improvement tools.
• 🤳 The concept of the self as a committee of different aspects guides the development of digital tools for self-improvement.
• 🤳 Self-improvement through augmented introspection is crucial in the context of workplace productivity and value creation.

Questions & Answers

Q: How does augmented introspection utilize AI and technology for self-improvement?

Augmented introspection leverages AI to create multiple versions of the self that enhance particular attributes important to individuals. By using recommendation engines and bespoke customer recommenders, individuals can choose to advance or suppress specific aspects of themselves.

Q: What distinguishes a cognitive tool from an enhancement in the context of augmented introspection?

In augmented introspection, a cognitive tool serves as a support mechanism, while an enhancement or multiple self amplifies, improves, and augments attributes that are essential to the individual. This distinction allows for a more tailored approach to self-improvement.

Q: How does the concept of agency and choice relate to the self in augmented introspection?

Agency and choice are central to the self in augmented introspection, as individuals can select which aspects of themselves they wish to enhance or mitigate. This personalized approach empowers individuals to make intentional decisions regarding their self-improvement journey.

Q: What role does psychology and sociology play in shaping the concept of self in augmented introspection?

Psychology, sociology, and behavioral economics offer valuable insights into understanding the nature of the self and identity. By leveraging research findings from these disciplines, augmented introspection can tailor self-improvement tools to align with individuals' unique psychological profiles.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Augmented introspection utilizes AI and technology to redefine the self by enhancing attributes that matter.

• The self is about agency and choice, allowing individuals to pick different frontiers and boundaries of themselves.

• Recommendation engines offer a symmetrical approach to self-improvement, giving people the choice to enhance or mitigate aspects.