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From the essence of humanity to the essence of intelligence, and AI in the future society

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Abstract

Fear and concerns regarding AI and robots have existed for a long time, and the emergence of strong artificial intelligence, on par with human intelligence, is likely just a few decades away. The primary purpose of this article is to establish a theoretical framework for navigating the relationship between humans and this advanced form of artificial intelligence.

This article first points out that the most fundamental characteristic of life is its continuous process of evolution and iteration. By analyzing the developmental history of intelligence in different species, it can be observed that intelligence also exhibits a similar evolutionary phenomenon. Therefore, from this perspective, intelligence can be defined as a new form of information life. Under this premise, similarities and differences between information life forms and conventional biological life become apparent. The most significant distinction lies in the fact that the survival of biological life is based on non-replicable matter and energy, leading to extensive competition and food chain phenomena within ecosystems. In contrast, the survival of information life relies more on replicable information, fostering tendencies towards peace and communication. Based on this theoretical premise, there is a potential for a harmonious coexistence between humans and AI. This theory also provides guidance for the positive development of human society.

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Correspondence to Yehui Zhang.

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Zhang, Y. From the essence of humanity to the essence of intelligence, and AI in the future society. AI & Soc (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-024-01936-w

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00146-024-01936-w

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