Quantum AI Safety and Cognitive Capital
What Happens When AI Starts Running on Quantum Computers?
Microprocessor power has been the driving force behind advances in science and engineering for decades, but prior to the advent of CRISPR, there was no counterpart to Moore’s Law in the humanities. Consequently, the disparity between progress in the physical and human sciences has grown wider, creating a “wisdom gap.”
The speed of scientific advances is multiplying, and the potential for abuse in artificial intelligence and other powerful technologies is beyond our capability to measure. The blistering pace of advance is outstripping humanity’s ability to manage progress wisely, placing potent new technologies in the hands of business leaders and policy makers who are focused on short-term results without considering long-range impacts. This combination of scientific prowess and shortsighted governance is creating growing risks of misusing ever-more powerful technologies.
These risks may come to a head when AI starts running on quantum computers. Moving AI from conventional von Neumann computer architecture to quantum computing will expand its power exponentially, and at that point, the imbalance between human and artificial intelligence may become problematic.
If society prioritizes funding and research efforts solely towards developing smarter AIs while neglecting the advancement of human intelligence, we risk creating a self-fulfilling prophecy where AI surpasses human capabilities without the necessary safeguards or human oversight to ensure its safe and ethical utilization. This imbalance could lead to scenarios where AI systems, wielding far greater intelligence than their human creators, make decisions or take actions that could have unforeseen and potentially detrimental consequences for humanity.
To mitigate these risks, we must invest in human cognitive enhancement alongside AI development. By expanding human cognitive capacity, we can ensure humanity remains at the forefront of technological advancement, capable of understanding, guiding, and ultimately controlling the powerful AI systems we create.
Psychedelic research has provided compelling evidence of the vast untapped potential of the human mind. These substances can induce profound states of expanded consciousness, including enhanced creativity and mental acuity, and a deeper understanding of our inner and outer worlds.
The ability of these compounds to unlock latent human potential offers insights for developing the next generation of cognitive enhancement technologies. New genetic neuroengineering approaches can potentially produce sustainable states of heightened awareness and metacognition.
R&D investments aimed at enhancing human cognitive capacity through next generation neuroengineering technologies will help us keep pace with AI advancements. Ultimately, these investments could be an existential imperative to ensure humanity remains the driving force behind technological progress to shape its trajectory for the benefit of all.
By fostering a holistic approach to technological advancement – one that encompasses both AI development and human cognitive enhancement – we can harness the power of AI while safeguarding our future and preserving the unique capabilities that make humanity remarkable.
