Today I prompted ChatGPT as follows:
Pretend you are (1) a law maker, (2) a philosopher, (3) an AI engineer and (4) a book reviewer. Please provide your opinion on the book Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Hariri in the form and style of a book review for your peers in a peer reviewed journal.
It generated:
1) As a Lawmaker
Title: “From the Legislative Lens: A Review of Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Hariri”
In “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow,” Yuval Noah Hariri paints a future in which human beings ascend to godhood, aided by our technological prowess. His book is filled with thought-provoking ideas that challenge us lawmakers to reconsider our fundamental perspectives on human rights, data privacy, and the balance of power.
Hariri’s proposition of Dataism as the potential future religion is an exciting yet disconcerting idea, shedding light on the political complexities and ethical dilemmas that are starting to arise in our data-driven society. The concept prompts us to reflect on how we must adapt legislation to handle unprecedented issues, like data ownership, that may arise from such a transition.
His exploration of technology-driven social stratification is also crucial to our work. Hariri’s warning of a ‘useless class,’ or those unable to keep pace with rapid technological advancement, raises serious concerns about how we can promote social equity and justice.
Overall, “Homo Deus” is a must-read for lawmakers navigating the unprecedented legal and ethical challenges of an increasingly data-driven world.
2) As a Philosopher
Title: “Humanity’s New Gods: A Philosophical Critique of Homo Deus”
In “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow,” Yuval Noah Hariri explores the implications of a post-human era. His work is dense with profound and intellectually challenging ideas, questioning humanity’s place in a future world defined by our own creations.
His hypotheses about the ‘human gods’ resonate with Nietzsche’s idea of the Ubermensch, yet with a technological twist. Hariri’s notions of Dataism extend beyond the scope of science into the realm of metaphysics, urging us to question the nature of consciousness, free will, and personal identity in a data-driven world.
However, Hariri’s assumptions about the human quest for immortality, happiness, and divinity could have been analyzed further through different philosophical perspectives, such as existentialism or Buddhist philosophy, which embrace mortality, suffering, and impermanence.
“Homo Deus” serves as an urgent call to philosophers to engage with the philosophical implications of rapid technological and scientific advances, to ensure humanity’s wisdom evolves alongside its knowledge.
3) As an AI Engineer
Title: “Molding Our Tomorrow: An AI Engineer’s Examination of Homo Deus”
Yuval Noah Harari’s “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow” offers a captivating yet alarming vision of a future where humans are no longer the most intelligent entities. As an AI engineer, I find Hariri’s assumptions regarding the potential of artificial intelligence both exciting and contentious.
His prediction of human obsolescence due to advancements in AI and biotechnology is unsettling, yet valid. It underscores the importance of developing ethical AI systems that augment rather than replace human abilities, and ensuring that AI benefits are accessible to all.
Hariri’s Dataism hypothesis aligns well with the increasing influence of big data and AI in our society. However, it also underscores the importance of privacy, transparency, and explainability in AI systems, all critical factors for establishing public trust in our work.
While “Homo Deus” does not delve deep into the intricacies of AI development, it provides a valuable outsider’s perspective that reminds us, AI engineers, of the larger social and ethical implications of our work.
4) As a Book Reviewer
Title: “Foreseeing the Future: A Review of Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Hariri”
Yuval Noah Hariri’s “Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow” masterfully intertwines history, science, and philosophy to offer a speculative look at the future of humanity. Hariri’s writing style is engaging, accessible, and sprinkled with humor, which makes for a pleasant read despite the book’s weighty subject matter.
Hariri’s exploration of our potential future – particularly the rise of Dataism and the advent of ‘godlike’ humans – is a narrative full of twists and thought-provoking insights. The idea of a ‘useless class’ emerging due to technological advancements is particularly jarring and underlines the urgency for societal adaptations.
While Hariri’s predictions can at times feel overly deterministic, they undeniably provide valuable fodder for discussion and contemplation. His visionary insights demand our attention, urging us to critically assess the direction in which our society is heading.
In “Homo Deus,” Hariri invites us not only to foresee the future but to actively participate in shaping it, making the book an indispensable read for anyone interested in the human saga and our role in its unfolding.
Follow-Up Questions and Answers
I went further, see here, and once again I was amazed at how valuable ChatGPT is for me when I am trying to understand something. I can talk to it, ask questions, let it generate ideas and concepts based on suggestions, and all the while it never once needs a new drink.