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:
- (2)
A couple of weeks ago I was in Orlando for a talk. And, the night before I was sitting at the hotel restaurant grabbing some dinner. Out of the corner of my eye I saw that there was a basketball game on the tv at the bar and I knew the THE 3 C’S OF […]
- January 14, 2023
- (15)
The Role of a Virtual Emcee, a guide is the one steering you on the right course – a firm hand halting you from treading where you shouldn’t, and it’s the instructions researched and tested to provide you with the best results too. Therefore, a guide is also intrinsically necessary for the optimization of an […]
- January 3, 2023
- (60)
Are Keynote Speakers Still Relevant in the rise of artificial intelligence has revolutionized nearly every industry, from automation in manufacturing to AI-powered chatbots handling customer service. In the world of events and conferences, AI-generated content has made its way into key areas—curating personalized event experiences, generating speech outlines, and even producing lifelike deep fake avatars […]
- January 30, 2025
- (73)
The Psychology of Attendee Behavior: What Drives Engagement? In the ever-evolving world of event planning, one question remains at the core of success: What truly drives attendee engagement? Understanding what keeps people interested, active, and returning to events is both an art and a science. By leveraging The Psychology of Attendee Behavior science principles, event […]
- February 19, 2025
- (17)
Solly Moeng is an experienced professional Political journalist and Branding Speaker with a career that has seen him manage a variety of branding projects in various sectors and in countries spanning several continents. He is an established independent media professional with specialisation in Reputation Management, Stakeholder Engagement Strategies, Strategic Internal & External Communications, PR and […]
- December 20, 2022
- (15)
Heading to Dallas from Kansas City recently, I heard the familiar tone of the voice over the intercom start up and to Self Care When Burned: “Ladies and Gentlemen, we’ve got a full flight to Dallas today…” Travel is BACK and flights are almost always full again, so I couldn’t be surprised by what came […]
- February 28, 2023
- (8)
The Future of Thought Leadership: How Visionary Speakers Are Shaping the World In a rapidly evolving world, thought leadership has become more than just a buzzword—it’s a necessity. Businesses, organizations, and individuals seek guidance from those who can provide innovative insights, challenge conventional thinking, and inspire action. But what does it take to be a […]
- March 7, 2025
Authentic Leadership Building Trust, Connection and Productivity in Corporate Culture Authentic leadership is more than a buzzword; it’s a powerful approach to building trust, enhancing communication, and fostering a culture where people feel safe, valued, and genuinely engaged. At its core, authentic leadership is about leading with integrity, self-awareness, and transparency. It doesn’t mean being […]
- October 28, 2024
