Ramesh Raskar, head of the MIT Media Lab's Camera Culture research group, presents a unique perspective on AI by drawing parallels with ancient mythologies1. He suggests that just as the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Norse had their pantheon of gods with unique powers and responsibilities, the future of AI could be composed of multiple "god-like" AI entities, each with its own specialized capabilities. For instance, he refers to Google Maps as the "God of traffic" and ChatGPT as the "God of Public Information". Raskar proposes that these AI entities would not operate in isolation but interact with each other, much like the gods in mythology, to drive scientific thinking and problem-solving.
Raskar suggests that AI should play the role of a "trusted, honest, impartial broker" in society, acting as a neutral intermediary that facilitates various interactions and transactions. This "god-like AI" would be responsible for orchestrating and managing the flow of information and resources, ensuring fairness, transparency, and accountability. By leveraging the power of AI to analyze and process vast amounts of data, this system could potentially help address complex societal challenges, enhance efficiency, and foster innovation across various sectors.
Raskar provides several examples of AI personified as "gods" in our current technology landscape: Google Maps as the "God of traffic," ChatGPT as the "God of Public Information," Dall-E as the "God of art," and Amazon as the "God of instant delivery." He also suggests the possibility of other AI entities using a decentralized internet to sell products or find cures for diseases.