Illuminating Meeting of June 30, 2023

July 1, 2023

On June 30, 2023, SMRN had another lively meeting with a group of members including Juan Castrillón, Mansoor Behnam, Laura Marks, Niusha Hatefinia, Ali Taheri, Carol Bier, Pantea Karimi, Kalpana Subramanian, Nina Czegledy, and Mriganka Madhukaillya. 

During this one-hour meeting, we had a general discussion about the intersection of AI and its impact on our society. Participants explored various facets of AI, from its potential to its limitations and ethical concerns.

A central theme was the notion of AI's connection to the "imaginal realm." Some viewed AI as a tool prone to amplifying existing cultural clichés and stereotypes, potentially limiting its transformative potential. On the other hand, a contrasting perspective emerged, depicting AI as a potential gateway to the imaginal realm—an ethereal, collective unconscious that can be accessed by all of humanity. This notion invited contemplation on AI's capacity for artistic and creative expression.

The conversation also delved into the challenges posed by AI, including plagiarism detection using AI. This highlighted the difficulties in identifying machine-generated content and the need for trust between educators and students.

Participants acknowledged AI's status as an evolving technology still in its infancy. They recognized that AI holds promise in filtering and promoting constructive ideas, acting as a virtual curator of knowledge. However, they were equally aware of its susceptibility to misuse and manipulation for social engineering, underlining the necessity for vigilant oversight.

In summation, the discussion highlighted the dual nature of AI—its potential as a powerful tool for progress, creativity, and filtering positive ideas, but also the need for caution, ethical considerations, and responsible development to harness its benefits while mitigating risks. The discussion underscored the significance of controlling AI's development to maximize its advantages while minimizing any potential risks in an ever-changing technological landscape.