The Coming Wave: Why We Need a New Social Contract for AI and Synthetic Biology
Artificial intelligence (AI) and synthetic biology are two of the most powerful and fast-developing technologies of our time. They have the potential to revolutionize many aspects of human life, from health and education to energy and agriculture. They could also help us address some of the most pressing global challenges, such as climate change, poverty, and pandemics.
However, these technologies also pose unprecedented risks and challenges for humanity and the planet. As Mustafa Suleyman, the co-founder of DeepMind, a leading AI research company, argues in his book The Coming Wave, we are approaching a critical threshold in the history of our species. Everything is about to change. AI and synthetic biology are not only transforming the world, but also creating a new world that is beyond our current understanding and control. A world of superintelligent machines, designer organisms, and novel forms of life. A world that could have unforeseen and potentially catastrophic consequences for human society and the environment.
Suleyman warns that these technologies could threaten the very foundation of global order: the nation-state. As these technologies become more accessible and powerful, they could enable new actors and entities to challenge the authority and legitimacy of existing governments and institutions. They could also undermine the stability and security of the international system, by creating new sources of conflict, inequality, and violence. For example, AI and synthetic biology could be used for malicious purposes, such as cyberattacks, bioterrorism, or warfare. They could also create new ethical and moral dilemmas, such as the rights and responsibilities of artificial agents, the ownership and governance of synthetic life, and the impact of these technologies on human dignity and identity.
Suleyman argues that the current regulatory frameworks and institutions are inadequate and ineffective to deal with the complexity and uncertainty of these technologies. He claims that we need a new social contract that can balance the benefits and risks of these technologies, and foster a more responsible and inclusive innovation culture. A social contract that can ensure that these technologies are used for the common good, and that their development and deployment are guided by democratic principles, human values, and global cooperation. A social contract that can empower and protect the rights and interests of all stakeholders, from researchers and innovators to consumers and citizens. A social contract that can enable us to harness the potential of these technologies, while avoiding the pitfalls and perils of the coming wave.
This is not an easy task, but it is an urgent and necessary one. As Suleyman writes, “We have a narrow window of opportunity to shape the future we want, before it shapes us.” We cannot afford to be complacent or passive in the face of these technologies. We need to be proactive and engaged, and to participate in the public debate and decision-making process. We need to be aware of the opportunities and challenges that these technologies present, and to demand transparency and accountability from those who create and use them. We need to be informed and educated, and to develop the skills and competencies that these technologies require. We need to be creative and collaborative, and to explore the possibilities and solutions that these technologies offer.
AI and synthetic biology are the coming wave. They will change the world, and us. The question is, how will we change them? The answer is, by creating a new social contract that can ensure that these technologies serve humanity and the planet, rather than harm them. This is the greatest challenge, and the greatest opportunity, of our time. Let us rise to it.
