What Artificial Intelligence can't do (yet)

Images from Unsplash

 

And what’s missing from our definition of Consciousness.

I first heard of Shared Actualisation from leadership author Simon Sinek. He believes this is missing from Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs. It cites Self Actualisation as a need. But according to Sinek a key need is:

  • Shared Actualisation

Then a few days ago I was reading this NYT times piece explaining our pursuit of artificial Consciousness in robots. It explores what defines consciousness.

It seems there is no consensus around what it actually refers to. One of the criteria for Dr. Lipson, director of the Creative Machines Lab at Columbia University is (and of course I couldn't agree more):

  • Future visioning

"The fundamental difference among types of consciousness — human consciousness and octopus consciousness and rat consciousness, for example — is how far into the future an entity is able to imagine itself." - Hod Lipson

Here are other criteria broken down in the NYT piece:

  • Language

  • Creativity

  • Adaptability

  • Self awareness

  • Abstract Thinking

  • Physicality

But what I personally think is missing from this list (I'll take a cue from Sinek and no surprise here I started with this):

  • Shared actualisation

The truth is there are many criteria to consciousness. It can get blurry. What does it mean to you? Love, Freedom, Passion? 

YOUR CALL TO ACTION: WHAT'S CONSCIOUSNESS TO YOU? 

Here are 3 questions about consciousness for you to explore: 

  1. Think of your own consciousness. How does it feel as a physical sensation?

  2. What consciousness do you manifest in your work?

  3. What's a small action you can take today to be a 'conscious' human? 

Personally, 1 is raised warmth, 2 is shared actualisation in the Trend Atelier, 3 is smiling to strangers today (one of my favourite things, always love the response). 

As always, I'd love to know what you think and feel. Hit me up here to start a conversation. 

This article first appeared in my January 2023 futuring dispatch (Newsletter). To become a member, click here.

 
Geraldine Wharry