Technology is exponential but humans are not
- Author: Gerd Leonhard
- Word Count: 361
Read the news article
“Technology is exponential but humans are not and can do great things, but it does not WANT to do great things – it does not want anything” says Apple’s CEO Tim Cook (a quote I have often used in my talks). Technology is a tool not a purpose – see my ‘carpenter and the hammer example’ (video).
“BOTH BIOTECH AND AI ARE DUAL-USE TECHNOLOGIES, MEANING THEY CAN BE WIELDED FOR BOTH BENEFICIAL AND MALIGN PURPOSES. THAT MAKES THEM FAR MORE DIFFICULT TO CONTROL THAN NUCLEAR WEAPONS, ESPECIALLY SINCE SOME OF THE MOST EXTREME RISKS — LIKE, SAY, A DANGEROUS VIRUS LEAKING OUT OF A LAB — COULD BE ACCIDENTAL, NOT PURPOSEFUL.”
VIA AXIOS FUTURE
Technology is exponential but humans are not
While it is very hard to define a universal set of ethics or norms and every country has different rules around data privacy and surveillance, it has become clear that we need to find ways of putting collective digital privacy rights in place.
The EU sis drafting an AI regulation in which rules would set limits around the use of artificial intelligence in a range of activities, in “an attempt to regulate an emerging technology before it becomes mainstream” according to The New York Times.
As I wrote in chapter 2 of my book “Technology vs Humanity” “Technology is exponential and has no ethics, and therefore its imminent entry into our most private lives and biological processes must be negotiated as a top civic and corporate priority”.
“Digital Ethics is really about this issue of keeping humanity alive and not putting the machines inside absolutely everything”
In this Tedx Talk back in 2014 (!), I point out the fact that “The power of technology had already surpassed the scope of our ethics”… That was back then but look at it now…Technology is exponential
I think technology is now on the verge of becoming unlimitedly powerful, especially after the Covid-19 crisis that served to accelerate their uses and applications of digital technologies in response.
We are entering very an era in which it’s no longer merely “data is the new oil” but ‘data is the new plutonium’.
Contact us at Speakers Inc and follow us on Twitter
Speaker Listing
Further articles you may enjoy:
- (23)
Speakers Inc is available to offer you our All American Speakers who offer Motivational Leadership keynotes to open or close your next leadership and medical event or conference. Speakers Inc is a leading All American Speakers Bureau for motivational speakers that delivers keynotes over 400 times per year. Our All American Speakers are available to […]
- January 16, 2023
- (23)
JUSTICE MALALA MEET THE SPEAKER is a political commentator and current affairs keynote speaker, newspaper columnist and author of the Number One South African bestseller “We Have Now Begun Our Descent”. He is rated as the top African political / economic analyst in South Africa Malala writes regular weekly columns for The Times online newspaper […]
- January 2, 2023
- (6)
Pride Month 2025 Spotlight: Greg R. Baird – A Voice for Unity, Advocacy, and Authentic Change At Speakers Inc., Pride Month is not only a celebration, it’s a call to elevate voices that have long championed equity, inclusion, and community empowerment. This year, we are honored to spotlight Greg R. Baird, a nationally recognized speaker, […]
- June 6, 2025
- (4)
With all the recent fervor over the confrontation between Will Smith and Chris Rock at the Oscars® over a comment made about Jada Pinkett Smith, there’s one character I have yet to Change Your Perspective, Improve Your Response to see explored in the aftermath: G.I. Jane. Several years ago, when I was building my business […]
- December 19, 2022
- (12)
Make Your Email Subject and Content Fun, Compelling, Curious, and Commanding To Get Quicker Responses that Pay Off! By Joy Baldridge Have you ever been surprised or frustrated by how few return emails you receive when reaching out to your prospects and customers/clients? Responsiveness is at an all-time low. Everyone is overwhelmed and inundated with emails. […]
- December 19, 2022
- (9)
A Guide to Becoming and mastering the art of Speaking. Public speaking is an art form that, when mastered, can open doors to limitless opportunities. Whether you’re an aspiring keynote speaker or looking to enhance your communication skills, the journey to becoming a professional public speaker involves dedication, continuous learning, and a commitment to connecting […]
- November 14, 2023
- (5)
A lot has happened in the past few years since my book, We’re All in This Together: Creating a Team Culture of High Performance, Trust, and Belonging, was first published in the spring of 2020. I completed the manuscript for this book (which was just released this week in paperback) at the end of 2019. I had […]
- December 18, 2022
- (12)
The Art of Selecting the Perfect Speaker: A Step-by-Step Guide for Event Planners In an age when live and virtual events compete for attendees’ limited attention, the value of an outstanding keynote speaker has never been higher. The right speaker can energize a room, bridge knowledge gaps, and spark meaningful conversations that last long after […]
- December 11, 2024