In 2016, I penned an article about a computer that had a tangible, immediate impact on the world by being connected to your mobile device. It incorporated cameras and thermometers among its features and controlled devices like autonomous cars, robots, and thermostats. Furthermore, it housed an intellect in the core that utilized sensor data to strategize and execute actions. This marked the era of the Internet of Things.
Fast forward to today, the online landscape epitomizes the traditional concept of a machine as something capable of sensing, thinking, and acting. Unbeknownst to many, we have been collectively constructing a colossal machine equivalent to the human race.
In 2023, we introduced advanced language models (LLMs) such as GPT to enhance the “thinking” aspect. The unveiling of ChatGPT left the world in awe of its ability to comprehend human language and generate responses that are reliable, relevant, and human-like. These models excel in tasks originally designated for humans and are poised to gradually replace human counterparts as their efficacy improves.
The integration of these LLMs and other artificial entities with sensors and actuators is set to commence in 2024, enabling them to interface with the external world via APIs. They will receive diverse inputs from the environment, as envisioned back in 2016, through IoT devices and other interfaces, thereby exerting significant control over our surroundings.
While the initial interactions may involve simple tasks like email summaries, engaging in customer service chats regarding business changes and transactions, or making travel arrangements, these AIs will progressively extend their influence by overseeing robots and merging them into the AI network. Your AI-powered thermostat, for instance, will adjust heating and cooling based on occupants’ preferences and external conditions, negotiate optimal electricity rates, and manage high-energy appliance usage or vehicle maintenance schedules.
The crux of the matter lies in the collaborative intelligence that emerges when these AIs amalgamate to form a vast network governing power generation and consumption. Each component functions akin to a node in a network, reminiscent of an ant colony or a human army, catalyzing substantial transformations.
Future business management systems will integrate traditional stock robots with AI counterparts to streamline operations, from orchestrating final product deliveries to initiating supply orders promptly. These AIs may liaise with banking systems to manage finances autonomously, while humans tackle specialized tasks beyond the capabilities of robots, such as system repairs.
Consider autonomous vehicles, which not only rely on onboard sensors but also leverage external sensors on poles and highways. A unified system orchestrates their operations, enabling synchronized driving for enhanced efficiency, especially in adverse conditions like fog.
These aren’t conventional drones depicted in media; instead, they represent a novel breed of robots where cameras and motors are decentralized, with processing occurring elsewhere. They function as a network of distinct entities that collectively evolve into robots, reshaping conventional notions of security and control.
As we transition into the future, it’s imperative to perceive ourselves as components of larger systems rather than standalone individuals. The concept of Artificial as a composite of characteristics, Gaia, and a singular program emerges, aligning more closely with Buddhist principles of interconnectedness than Western ideals of individualism (and diverging from dystopian narratives like Skynet from the Terminator franchise). This shift will necessitate a reevaluation of prevailing assumptions about governance and commerce, with glimpses of this transformative journey expected to surface in 2024.
