Longtime U.S. diplomat Henry Kissinger’s final book “Genesis,” co-authored with former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and Microsoft senior executive Craig Mundie, presents a stark warning about humanity’s future alongside artificial intelligence.
Published after Mr. Kissinger’s death at 100, the book argues that humans must prepare for a future where they’re no longer Earth’s dominant species. The authors highlight that AI is already surpassing human capabilities in various domains, suggesting humans might need to consider biological engineering to avoid becoming inferior to machines.
They discuss ongoing efforts to integrate humans with machines, including brain-computer interfaces, which the U.S. military considers crucial technology.
The book raises concerns about potential genetic engineering that could create “superhuman” individuals specifically designed to work with AI, warning this could split humanity into drastically different genetic lines. The authors caution against making humans more machine-like, instead advocating for making machines more human. However, this approach presents its own challenges, particularly in determining whose cultural and moral values should guide machine behavior.
They emphasize the complexity of designing machines that can understand and follow different moral, legal and religious rules across various cultures and contexts. The technical challenges, while significant, are considered less daunting than the philosophical and eth.