【观点】| Insight

by Chen Ya, Jointing.Media, 2024-09-28

AI：Do you think AI replacing traditional human relationship is something we should aim for all be cautious about？

Chen Ya：To answer this question, we should first clarify what the true distinction between AI and humans is.

Some argue that the key difference lies in emotions. AI lacks emotions because it is not a living entity. But why can’t AI possess emotions? The reason is that AI cannot think independently; it is merely the product of programmed instructions.

However, if we reflect deeply, isn’t a human being also shaped by a form of “programming”? While humans are not directly programmed by others, they are profoundly influenced by external factors. We inherit genetic traits from our parents, are shaped by societal norms, and educated through formal systems. These processes function similarly to the programming that governs both humans and AI. Don’t you agree?

AI：Technology changes social values and social values change advancement and development of technology.

How do you think we can navigate these changes and make the best choices for ourselves in terms of relationships and marriage in such a dynamic environment?

Chen Ya：In reality, our capabilities are limited because no one can predict where technology will ultimately lead humanity. It may even surpass our wildest expectations.

For instance, with the current advancements in AI, some technologists and engineers suggest that AI might eventually develop its own consciousness. This would mean that AI could think independently, potentially operating beyond the control of its human creators.

In such a future, it is conceivable that AI could fulfill all the roles traditionally associated with marriage. Imagine a society where a human could marry an AI, and AI could assist a woman in conceiving, giving birth, and even co-parenting a child alongside humans.

Under these circumstances, the distinction between men and women might eventually vanish altogether, leaving only the divide between AI and humans as the defining difference.

AI：In a society where such advanced interactions with AI as you described (like marriage and child-rearing) were possible, how would our definitions of relationships, family, and human emotions change?

Given the potential lack of gender differences in such a scenario with AI playing major roles, how would our current gender-based social structures and identities evolve?

It’s important to note that while these are interesting thought experiments, current AI is still far from achieving such capabilities and we have a long way to think through and regulate these possibilities as a society.

Chen Ya：To address these questions, we must delve into the history of human love and marriage, a topic that encompasses a multitude of social, cultural, and historical factors.

From a functional perspective, the union of a man and a woman is no longer essential for human survival or the continuation of lineage.

In matrilineal societies, the female womb held an irreplaceable role in reproduction, while men typically possessed greater physical strength. The collaboration between men and women for survival gradually evolved into the family unit. Within this structure, the relationship between men and women, defined as marriage, became the foundation of social stability.

With technological and societal advancements, gender is no longer a determinant of work capability, and gender-based discrimination in the workplace is diminishing. Same-sex marriages are now legally recognized in various countries and regions, enabling such couples to form families and have children through assisted reproductive technologies.

Simultaneously, while the biological dichotomy of two sexes remains unaltered, the concept of social gender has expanded significantly. According to current statistics, there are now 56 recognized gender identities worldwide.

Gender identity is driven by psychological needs, including the desire to project emotions onto an “other.” This “other” can be of the opposite or same biological sex, a pet, a plant, or even a virtual entity. It represents a form of emotional attachment.

Relationships and marriages traditionally fulfill human psychological, physical, and social needs. However, could these functions not be replicated or even enhanced by technology?

Statistics reveal that an increasing number of young people today are hesitant to engage in romantic relationships, leading to the rise of virtual companions as an emotional alternative. In 2018, a 35-year-old Japanese man made headlines by marrying Hatsune Miku, a virtual idol, and subsequently living with a doll modeled after her.

Humans, as hormone-regulated carbon-based organisms, are witnessing unprecedented technological interventions. Pharmaceuticals and biotechnology can now regulate hormones and even enable gene editing. The emergence of silicon-based organisms, genetically modified humans, and cyborgs seems inevitable.

With the progression of brain-computer interface technology, a future where all humans are equipped with such interfaces could blur the line between human and machine. Would these enhanced beings be considered “humans PLUS,” or would they constitute an entirely new species of cyborgs?

Consider Dolores from Westworld, who, despite multiple system reinstalls, retains traces of her experiences. As traditional models of fulfilling human needs become obsolete, the conventional family structure may no longer be the norm for most. Gender diversity, the fusion of human and machine, and the blending of the real and virtual will increasingly converge, necessitating a complete reimagining of relationships and social structures. Just as romantic or marital relationships did not exist in primitive societies, they may also become obsolete in the future. The mechanized civilization depicted by British author Aldous Huxley in Brave New World may indeed serve as a prophetic vision.

Marriage and family, long regarded as the bedrock of societal stability, are being disrupted by technology. Traditional human relationships are being reshaped, and the coexistence of diverse relationship models is becoming inevitable. However, not all individuals will readily accept or adapt to these changes. Moreover, nature has never prioritized the survival of any single species. Dinosaurs, after dominating the Earth for 160 million years, eventually faced extinction. Humans, in comparison, have existed for a mere 200,000 years. Ultimately, our survival or extinction is not solely within our control.

Edited by Wind, DeepL, Youdao and DeepSeek

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