He would support humanity’s need for AI, but his criticisms would be fierce and severe.

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Sir Francis Bacon is remembered as a pivotal figure in the history of technology. He was a prominent advocate for the use of science and reason to improve society. He advocated for the promotion of scientific research and technological innovation. He also believed that technology could be used to solve social problems.

The two ideas that Bacon devised were the scientific method [1] and inductive reasoning [2], where the latter specifically was a response to deductive reasoning. The scientific method involves observation, testing, and data analysis to validate or refute theories. The process of arriving at probable truths or conclusions based on observations is referred to as inductive reasoning. In other words, the collection of data or evidence comes first, followed by the formation of a conclusion based on the data. In contrast to inductive reasoning, deductive reasoning begins with broad ideas or generalities and then narrows in on specific examples. As an illustration, deductive reasoning takes a known fact or principle and applies it to particular situations to reach a conclusion [3].

His perspectives about technology were ahead of his time. He argued that technology could be used to enhance human capabilities and create a better future for humanity. This idea most certainly inspired a significant number of scientists and innovators over the years, who have labored to build new technologies that better our lives in various ways.

For Bacon, the purpose of scientific inquiry was not to gain knowledge for its own sake but also to learn about the natural world in order to control and manipulate it for human benefit. This meant that the focus should be on discovering how things work, not just why they exist or their ultimate purpose.

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He believed knowledge is power, and those who have access to it can significantly impact society. His point of view was that the scientific method was a tool that communities might use to make everyone’s life better. As a result, he campaigned for an early form of financing for research initiatives so that researchers may have access to the resources they need to create discoveries that would benefit all of humanity.

His perspectives were influenced by his personal involvement in politics during periods of significant political turmoil in England. He witnessed firsthand how religion could be applied to conflict between different groups, and he saw how new technologies like gunpowder and the printing press had transformed warfare and social relations, respectively. These experiences led him to believe that improvements in science and technology were essential if England was going to fix its problems and become a great nation again.

Understanding the boundaries of what may be accomplished with artificial intelligence (AI) would be the first lesson Bacon would give his students. In the same way that individuals have their own limits, so do robots. He would also educate that AI may be utilized to expand human capabilities, but only if we use it carefully and cautiously. For instance, even while modern technology may assist us in remembering information or doing calculations more quickly than we could on our own, it is still up to us to decide when and how to make use of such tools. In such cases, rather than being a source of help, they run the risk of being a nuisance instead.

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Regarding AI, Bacon would also emphasize the need to take precautions. Specifically, he would warn against developing AI that is smarter than humans because there is no assurance that such intelligent machines would not end up turning on their creators. He would likely decompose the idea that there is no guarantee that such intelligent machines would not turn on their creators. In the same vein as the last point, Bacon would caution against giving computers the power to learn and grow on their own since this may result in the machines being vastly distinct from humans, perhaps even antagonistic toward them, those AI was designed to serve.

Bacon would most certainly advocate for the use of AI as a method for expanding one’s knowledge of everything. For instance, if we were to construct machines with intellect that rivaled or even beyond that of humans, we could be able to acquire insights into situations that are now beyond our ability to comprehend.

Given his background in science and philosophy, it is likely that Bacon would advocate for the applications of AI in conjunction with other fields of study, such as medicine, in order to harness the power of AI and use it to either improve our understanding of the human body or develop new treatments for diseases. After all, several achievements in the medical field have been made possible by developments in technology.

Bacon would also argue that AI can and should be utilized to make our lives simpler. However, as before, care must be used so that we do not grow dependent on AI to the point that we lose vital abilities or experience a decline in the quality of our lives. For instance, rather than placing humans in harm’s way, he would advocate delegating dangerous jobs to robots, such as the removal of toxic trash. Another important Baconian principle involving AI is that it should be used for the benefit of all of humanity and not just a select few people or organizations. Keeping this in mind, it is probable that he would support steps such as ensuring that information about how AI works and its ramifications are available and easily teachable to everyone.

Parting Thoughts

Sir Francis Bacon would most likely want us to have an open mind on the possibilities presented by AI. If we approach it with caution and common sense, there is a significant possibility that it will be used for beneficial purposes, despite the fact that its creation and use are not without risk.

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References:

1. DEFINE_ME., from https://www.jtcvs.org/article/S0022-5223(20)31307-6/fulltext

2. Nygaard, L. (1994). Winning the game: Inductive reasoning in Poe’s “Murders in the Rue Morgue.” Studies in Romanticism, 33(2), 223–254. https://doi.org/10.2307/25601058

3. Inductive and deductive reasoning. — PsycNET. APA PsycNET, from https://psycnet.apa.org/record/2010-22950-015

By Anil Tilbe