In this episode of "AI Snacks," Anastassia and Professor Rae Muhlstock explore human nature in the age of AI through the lens of science fiction while also hinting at the introspective journey of understanding human identity in the face of advancing technology. The conversation reflects the dual nature of AI portrayals in science fiction movies and books, from helpers to threats, and how these narratives make us question what truly defines our humanity. While fantasy offers images of different worlds, science fiction applies scientific methods to the world we are currently living in. Learning from sci-fi might become an integral part of teaching AI literacy and AI ethics.

Rae Muhlstock is a Lecturer of Writing and Critical Inquiry at the University at Albany, SUNY. Her expertise is in 20th—and 21st-century fiction, narrative theory, experimental fiction, and film. She is also the chief organizer of the annual WCI Film Festival in Albany.

Takeaways:

Science fiction might be considered as a blueprint for our possible future with AIs.

As a genre, science fiction applies scientific methods to the world around us. This is its difference from fantasy, which creates imaginary worlds.

Filmmakers and writers question the nature of humanity while developing their storylines and characters.

The original Star Trek series questions our understanding of AIs, such as who owns them and whether they have rights.

Today's students consider AIs 'just' tools. Still, their views on possible scenarios of human-AI coexistence are influenced by fears of AI taking over, as shown in many books and movies.

AI ethics might evolve similarly to animal ethics.

Today's technologists might give AI reasoning only if we change how AI systems are built/ architected.

Humans need to learn how to coexist with intelligence that is very different from their own.

The brain and the mind aren't the same thing.

Chapters:

1:20 Teaching StarTrack in creating writing courses

5:13 Human response to AI

8:31 Definition of Science-Fiction

9:17 AI as a different form of intelligence/ non-human intelligence

11:57 Human fears of AI are shaped by Sci-Fi

15:03 Analyzing the original StarTrek Episode "The Ultimate Computer" and value alignment between humans and machines

18:38 Is AI just a tool?

23:24 The brain and the mind are different

24:53 Who owns AI? Who owns Data from StarTrek?

26:19 Diversity in humanity and in AIs: What does it mean?

32:35 Giving AI possibilities to reason via implementing different technology architectures

37:40 Importance to learn from AI when we define our humanity/ reading from the work of students